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Did you know your body needs protein daily for many different processes, such as growth and immune response? Protein is necessary for everyone each day, not just when you have a tough workout.

Today is National Protein Day, and we wanted to bring awareness and share some knowledge about protein and why it is significant. Here is some information about protein and how it is an essential building block that our body needs.

What is protein?

Protein is present in every cell in our body. It is considered a macronutrient because our body not only needs it, but it needs a large amount of it.¹ Macronutrients, such as protein, provide us with essential calories and energy.²

Protein is also what helps our bodies produce muscle mass, which in turn helps with our metabolism.²

There are twenty different amino acids that our bodies use to build protein. The order of these amino acids determines what the protein does in our body.³

Why is protein necessary for our bodies?

It is evident that protein has a lot of uses. But why is it necessary for our bodies and these functions?

Protein is critical for muscles, bones, and tissues. It is needed for the production, growth, and repair of all our organs.

According to Medical News Today, protein plays a role in many processes in our body, including:

• Growth and development
• Immune system response
• Hormones
• Enzymes
• Blood clotting

How can I increase my protein intake?

Now that you know how crucial protein is, you may wonder if you’re getting enough.

Luckily, protein is found in many different sources of food. Maintaining a healthy diet will most likely give you the proper amount of protein.

However, it is important to be aware of how much protein you’re consuming so you know for a fact that you are getting enough. You can keep a food diary to keep track of what you eat and determine if you are consuming enough protein each day.

If you’re not familiar with protein and healthy sources of it, we’ve laid out some simple ways you can increase your protein intake.

Here are some great choices of protein:

• Seafood
• Lean meats
• Eggs
• Legumes
• Soy products
• Dairy products

There are many other options, such as whole grains, that contain protein, but it is typically a small amount.

Animal products contain more protein than plant-based products; therefore, if you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, you may be more cautious about consuming the right amount of protein.

Here are some tips to increase your protein intake:

• Have one protein at every meal. This may include an egg at breakfast, beans or peanut butter with lunch, and a lean meat for dinner.
• Try high protein snacks such as peanut butter and nuts.
• Try occasionally replacing a carbohydrate with a protein. For example, have eggs for breakfast instead of a bagel.

How much protein do you need?

Now that you know what foods to eat, how many grams of protein do you need each day?

The recommended amount of protein intake is different for everyone. It varies with age, gender, and lifestyle.

For example, it is recommended that an adult male has 56 grams of protein a day, whereas an adult female should have 46 grams of protein a day.¹

People who work out frequently or have an active lifestyle may need more protein in their diet, as it is necessary to rebuild muscle. This is why protein is widely known in the fitness industry.

If you have any questions about how much protein you need daily, consult with a doctor or medical professional.

Benefits of increasing protein

Most people eat enough protein to prevent deficiency. However, there are benefits to increasing your protein intake.⁴

According to Healthline, here are some health benefits of increasing your protein intake:

• Reduces hunger
• Increases strength
• Boosts metabolism
• Maintain weight
• Helps muscles repair

Are you fueling your body?

Are you fueling your body properly? Now that you’ve learned more about protein and the significance of it, Saber Healthcare encourages you to fuel your body with a healthy source of protein today!

Saber Healthcare is an organization dedicated to providing consultant services to long term care providers. This article is for informational purposes and is not meant to be seen as professional advice. Please consult with a medical expert before relying on the information provided.

Sources

1. Brazier, Yvette and Hodgson, Lisa. “How much protein does a person need?” Healthline Media, Medical News Today. December 10^th, 2020. Accessed February 23^rd, 2021. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/196279#what-are-proteins.
2. Szalay, Jessie. “What is protein?” Future US, Inc., Live Science. December 10^th, 2015. Accessed February 24^th, 2021. https://www.livescience.com/53044-protein.html.
3. “What are proteins and what do they do?” U.S. National Library of Medicine, Medline Plus. Accessed February 24^th, 2021. https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/howgeneswork/protein/.
4. Gunnars, Kris. “10 Science-Backed Reasons to Eat More Protein.” Healthline Media, healthline.com. March 8^th, 2019. Accessed February 24^th, 2021. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-reasons-to-eat-more-protein.