Protein and its benefits for the body

1. Protein and its benefits for the body Protein is one of the most important nutrients the body needs to perform at the highest level. Truly, it is considered as one of the primary building blocks of life and can be found in every cell. The amino acids present in proteins determine the role of the particular protein in the body. So, what does proteins do? •Proteins help in producing antibodies which play a role in immunity against outside viruses and bacteria. •They help in transporting molecules across the body and are responsible for the movement of muscles around our organs. •Protein helps in the repair of cells and making of new ones. •It helps in the growth and development in children, pregnant women and teenagers. •It helps in the regulation of metabolism and insulin production. As people age, the need to eat decreases. As such, it is important to ensure enough nutrients and proteins find a way to your diet. Supplements like high protein snacks provide the much needed proteins in your daily life. While we monitor the amount of calories, sugar and salt intake, we often overlook if we are ingesting enough protein. Since our bodies do not store protein, therefore it makes it all the more important to consume protein on a daily basis. And since, protein is also known as a macronutrient, a healthy dosage of proteins per day is needed for healthy living. The Recommended Dietary Allowance is generally said to be 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. Your fitness guru or dietician can provide the exact numbers. It is important to remember that the value changes with age and health. An athlete of the same age as an non-athlete will have different dietary value of protein. The use of supplements offsets the loss due to less intake. However supplements should not be taken as an alternative. Proteins should mainly be sourced from whole foods. That being said, it is impossible to cook 3-4 protein rich meals a day. This is where these supplements really shine. Not only supplements such as protein chips boost your protein intake for the day, it is also a tasty alternative snack. Lack of proteins on a continuous basis leads to protein deficiency. Some of these could lead to loss of muscle mass, slow growth and thinning hair. It could also lead to edema which is a form of swelling that happens due to excess fluid in the body’s tissues. To counter that, companies and brands have come with instant supplements that can be had on a daily or regular basis. Such protein snacks and bars come packaged and ready for instant consumption. This removes the hassle of preparing shakes at home and making it messy. It is also important to know and check up on the brands before making a purchase. Most protein bars and snacks come with loaded sugar which totally defeats the purpose of having a protein bar in the first place. And since it can be carried wherever you go, these snacks can be had at any time.