Do you get adequate protein in your diet? While you are taking care not to have excess calories in your diet, you should ensure that you are getting all the essential minerals in your diet. That is why it’s wise to include health supplements in your diet, to help you get the extra minerals, and proteins that your body needs.
Why do our bodies require proteins
Here are six marvelous reasons why proteins are beneficial to our bodies.
1. Responsible for structural support
Each one of the cells in your body contains proteins and makes the foundation of every muscle, skin, tendon, ligament, and bone. As some cells start dying, proteins help to rebuild new ones or start repairing the damaged ones. This is very important for maintenance and growth. You will find that skin cells can last for only a month, and as these important cells die, new ones get regenerated which will act as a replacement. This process also occurs in the muscles, fingernails, and hair.
2. Proteins promotes healthy living
A majority of the lean tissues in your body are composed of proteins and helps to perform numerous roles. Proteins are necessary for the growth and maintenance of our body tissues. After you have taken proteins, they get broken down into various components that can be absorbed by the body, and each of them performs a unique function. Hormones, enzymes, muscles, and antibodies are all protein-made. For proper blood clotting, your body, proper vision, fluid balance, and fluid transportation, proteins play a critical role. When there is a short supply of fats in your body, the body metabolizes proteins for energy.
3. Proteins are transport agents
Proteins help to transport vitamins, lipids, minerals, and oxygen to all parts of the body. Take, for instance, hemoglobin, which is a blood protein that is responsible for the transportation of oxygen from the lungs to different parts of the body. Also, there is some protein type that acts as pumps inside cell membranes, hence helping to ensure the passage of substances across all cell membranes. However, there are special kinds of proteins that are responsible for moving specific substances, so not all proteins are universal transporters of everything. Moreover, some specific types of proteins help in regulating the composition of some fluids and also maintain proper balance in the body. Without proper balance, heart processes that include kidney, heart, and muscle functions are affected.
4. Helps to build immunity
Immunity is the ability of the body to fight infections, and this role is powered by proteins. Anytime a harmful antigen gets into your body, it’s the role of antibodies, to destroy them. These antibodies are proteins, and it’s what gives the body the power to fight ailments.
5. Regulates body processes
There are thousands of body processes that take place every day, and all of them need to be regulated. Fortunately, proteins exist in different types, and each of them supports a different body process or function. Take, for instance, the hormone, insulin, which is a protein that ensures that the body maintains the right sugar level.
6. Helps with vision and blood clotting
Proteins play a critical role in both blood clotting as well as ensuring proper vision. They also act as buffers in the body, regulating the balance between acids and bases.
