If we take away the water,about 75 percent of our body weight is protein. Protein is a chemical family found throughout our bodies, including muscle, bone, skin, hair, and virtually every other body part or tissue. It also makes up the enzymes that produce the chemical reactions and the hemoglobin that carries oxygen in our blood. The human body contains at least 10,000 different proteins.

There are around twenty different amino acids that act as building blocks for proteins. The body strings together the raw materials from these long and short chained amino acids to create intricate, three-dimensional structures.

Our bodies don't store amino acids, as we do fats or carbohydrates, so we need a daily supply of amino acids to make new protein.

On average, adults need around 1 gram of protein for every kilogram of body weight per day to keep from slowly breaking down their own tissues.

Women need to take care to get adequate protein during pregnancy.

All Proteins are Not Alike

Complete proteins contain all the amino acids needed to build new proteins. meat, fish, chicken, eggs and milk are good sources of complete protein.

Incomplete proteins lack one or more amino acids that the body can't make from scratch or create by modifying another amino acid. These usually come from fruits, vegetables, grains, and nuts.

Combining seeds, nuts or legumes with a variety of vegteables and grains makes a complete protein.

Quality Sources of Protein Include...

~ Lean Meats

~ Poultry

~ Fish

~ Dried Beans

~ Lentils

~ Nuts

~ Eggs

~ Cheese

~ Oatmeal

~ Tofu

~ Beet Greens