The Role Of Protein In Supporting Our Overall Health

As the saying goes, you are what you eat. One key component of any person’s diet is protein. While you might know the basics behind protein, you may not know how beneficial it is in supporting your overall health.

In this blog, we will discuss the importance of protein in the body and how it can keep you healthy and help you lose weight.

What Is Protein?

Protein makes up the enzymes that generate many chemical reactions and hemoglobin in the blood that carries oxygen. There are over 10,000 different proteins found in the human body, helping it to function correctly.

Proteins are made up of over twenty amino acids, which are the basic building blocks of the body. The body does not store amino acids - it generates them either from scratch or by modifying other amino acids.

Nine of the essential amino acids must come from food. These are:

• histidine
• isoleucine
• leucine
• lysine
• methionine
• phenylalanine
• threonine
• tryptophan
• valine

Benefits Of Protein

There are a variety of benefits that protein has on your overall health. These include:

Maintenance And Growth

In order to maintain and grow tissues, your body needs protein. However, the body’s proteins remain in a state of never ending turnover.

This is because the human body typically breaks down the same amount of protein as it takes to build and repair tissues. At other points, the body breaks down more protein than it can generate, increasing your need to consume protein.

There are several times where you might need more protein. These are:

• Pregnancy
• Breastfeeding
• Illness
• Surgery recovery
• High-intensity workouts or athleticism

It Is Needed For Biochemical Reactions

Enzymes, which are proteins, are instrumental in thousands of biochemical reactions that take place inside and outside the cell.

Enzymes combine with other molecules inside the cell called substrates. These catalyse reactions that are vital for the metabolism. Enzymes that function outside the cells include digestive enzymes like lactase and sucrase which digest sugar.

In some cases, specific vitamins and minerals are needed alongside enzymes to make a reaction take place.

The following functions rely on enzymes to take place:

• Digestion
• Energy production
• Blood clotting
• Muscle contraction

Protein Acts As A Messenger

Hormones are certain types of protein that act as chemical messengers to aid communication between your cells, organs and tissues. They are secreted by endocrine glands and tissues and then transported through blood to tissues or organs. They then bind to the target tissues and organs protein receptors.

Some examples of hormones include:

• Insulin: Signals when glucose or sugar is absorbed into the cell.
• Glucagon: Signals when the liver breaks down stored glucose.
• ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone): Triggers cortisol release which is key to the metabolism.

Provides Structure

Proteins such as keratin, elastin and collagen help form the connective framework of certain structures. These proteins are fibrous and promote rigidity and stiffness in certain cells and tissues.

Keratin is found in your hair, skin and nails.

The most abundant protein in the body is collagen, which provides structure to your tendons, bones, ligaments and skin.

Elastin is highly flexible and is found in the lungs, arteries and uterus.

Maintains pH Levels

When it comes to regulating the concentrations of acids and bases in your blood, protein plays a major role.

Maintaining pH is necessary as even a slight change in levels can be harmful. Protein buffers systems that maintain normal pH ranges in bodily fluids. An example of this in action is hemoglobin, which is a protein that binds with small amounts of acid to maintain your blood’s pH level.

The other buffer systems in your body include phosphate and bicarbonate.

Balances Fluids

Some proteins in the body help maintain fluid balance. For example, albumin and globulin are proteins that attract and retain water to help maintain your body's fluid.

Aids Immune Health

Proteins fight infection by forming immunoglobulins and antibodies. This helps protect the body from bacteria and viruses.

These antibodies are vital to stopping bacteria and viruses from multiplying, overwhelming the body with disease.

Thankfully, once your immune system has produced antibodies against a specific bacteria or virus, your cells know how to produce these antibodies in the future. This helps your body maintain immunity to that specific bacteria or virus.

Transports And Stores Nutrients

Some proteins are designed to carry substances through your blood stream. Protein can take these substances into your cells, out of cells and within cells.

Some substances that are carried through transport proteins are minerals, blood sugar, vitamins, oxygen and cholesterol. Each protein is specialised in what it can transport.

Some examples include:

• Hemoglobin transports oxygen from the lungs to body tissues
• Glucose transporters move glucose to cells
• Lipoproteins transport cholesterol and fats through your blood

Proteins also have storage roles. An example of this is Ferritin, which stores iron.

Top 10 Protein Foods

Protein can come from meat and fish, dairy and eggs and plant-based sources. Some of the best natural sources are:

• Chicken breast
• Lean beef
• Salmon
• Tuna
• Greek yogurt
• Cottage cheese
• Eggs
• Lentils
• Tofu
• Edamame beans
• Nuts and seeds

You can also seek out protein powders and products with extra protein. Additionally, many diet replacement shakes, including Healthy Trim, are high in protein.

Protein And Weight Loss

If you are looking to lose weight, protein is an essential asset.

Due to the release of GLP-1 and PYY, consuming protein can make you feel more full for longer periods of time. Research indicated that consuming more protein may lead to lower hunger over the course of the day.

In addition to making you feel full, protein also supports the generation of lean muscle and helps maintain a healthy metabolism. It has been found that, when used together, strength training and a high protein diet helps build muscles. Consequently, protein aids energy production and your metabolism. The effectiveness of high protein is increased in a calorie-controlled diet.

Another benefit of protein is that it takes far more energy to digest compared to carbohydrates and fat. This is known as the thermic effect of protein and means digesting protein takes calories.

Looking For A High-Protein Shake?

If you are looking for a high-protein meal replacement for weight control shake, Healthy Trim has you covered.

Healthy Trim boasts 31.5g+ grams of whey protein, sourced from Australian grass-fed cows, and 205 calories per serving. Additionally, it features 6 grams of dietary fibre and 2 billion CFU^ of Bacillus Coagulans to support gut health.

If you’d like to try our products, browse our website to find out more.