Types of Protein

Protein is one of the most essential source of nitrogen needed in the human body.  Made up of chains of amino acids, it is necessary for our internal organs, hair, muscles, and even our skin.  Traveling through the body in blood, protein disguises itself as enzymes, hormones, and red blood cells.  It works by creating antibodies to help our immune system prevent and fight diseases and illnesses.  Protein can be used in our everyday lifestyle to help keep the body balanced and running smoothly.

Where to get Protein

We get protein from the foods we eat..  Different types of protein exist in foods such as yogurt, cheddar cheese, chicken, milk, fish and rice.

How much protein does a body need?

There are several types of protein to feed a human body.  In order to determine the amount of protein needed for the body, you must take your weight, sex and age into consideration.  Follow the chart below by putting your weight, in pounds, in the appropriate place and completing the formula.

-Lack of exercise - 0.4(weight)

-Avid exerciser - 0.5(weight)

-Athlete - 0.6(weight)

Whether you spend all your time at the gym or at home on the couch, you can easily increase your dietary protein.

-Eat more meat

-Add yogurt, milk and cheese to your diet

-Have a glass of milk with dessert

Types of Protein

With so many different types of protein on the market, there are so many ways to increase your overall health with protein:

Whey Protein: One of the fastest digested proteins available is Whey protein.  It is perfect to use during workout or just for an overall energy boost.  During, before or after any workout, the body will need to replenish its amino acids and whey does just the trick.  It has the highest amount of protein than any other source of protein.  It is available in products ranging from a milkshake to a candy bar.  Perfect for building mass, endurance and energy.

Casein Protein: One of the slowest absorbing proteins available, this protein is known to maintain elevated amino acid levels the longer you take it.  Extracted from milk, it increases the bioactive milk peptides in order to support normal immune system health.  Studies show after consuming casein, it can reach a peak in blood amino acids that can last as long as 7 hours.  Whereas, whey protein only lasts an hour.  Because casein protein can sustain the body for six to eight hours while sleeping, it is the only protein you should take before going to sleep.

Casein protein comes in three different types of protein forms:

• Calcium caseinate: the lowest quality of the three proteins and often used as a food ingredient
• Micellar casein: 100 percent casein with both micellar and whey protein ingredients
• Milk protein isolate: the most inexpensive choice of protein between calcium caseinate and micellar casein

Egg Protein: Among the several types of protein, egg protein is the most natural.  The white yolk in this protein has the highest quality of proteins a body can consume.  The egg yolks are known to supply the body with healthy fats, iron, riboflavin, folate and vitamins B12, D and E.  Both eggs and egg protein, is a required meal among many body builders.  They drink the egg whites or cook more than a dozen of eggs to get the protein.  Contrary to popular belief, it is much healthier to get the benefits from egg protein from a powder than it is an actual egg.

Soy Protein: Rich in amino acids, soy protein is key to increasing health and sustaining it.  A highly digestible protein, it is the perfect substitute for meat protein because it contains all the amino acids needed for human nutrition.  It is known to reduce cholesterol levels and heart related diseases. It can also reduce the risk of contracting diseases such as, prostate cancer, colon cancer and osteoporosis.  You can get all the benefits from soy protein through foods such as, soy cheese, tofu, soy milk and soy supplements.

Protein and Body

When we think of the several types of protein needed to help the body function in optimal health and nutrition, our muscles are the most vital.  Consisting of two proteins, actin and myosin, muscles attached to our bones help us to sustain mobility.  Our muscles help to move food through our intestinal tract.  Many of our body functions occur because of the effects of protein. 

One of the essential proteins, albumin, helps to maintain the quantity of water we have inside our veins and arteries.  It is critical because it prevents the body from swelling or shriveling.

The average human needs at least 20 amino acids to produce protein.  Ten of these amino acids are synthesized by our bodies.  They are: glycine, alanine, serine, cysteine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, asparagine, glutamine, tyrosine and proline. Ten can't be synthesized and must come from other sources of food.  These 10 amino acids are: Histidine, isoleucine, tryptophan, valine, leucine, phenylalanine, arginine, methionine, threonine, and lysine.

Protein Shakes

Everyone can meet their protein needs.  One of the easiest and fastest ways to consume the different types of protein is by drinking a protein shake.  All protein shakes vary in ingredients.  If you're a body builder, you may want to drink protein shakes that possess the highest quality of protein content.  If you want to lose body fat, drink a protein shake that's mainly protein with fewer carbohydrates.  Slim-Fast is a perfect example of an high quality protein beverage to burn fat.  Another popular drink for people who aren't athletes but consider themselves avid exercisers is Muscle Milk.  It's a mix of high-protein and high-carbohydrate shakes.  It contains milk protein combined with carbs and fats.

Protein shakes contain milk, whey, casein, egg and soy.  These types of protein may affect how well your body absorbs, digests and build protein.  The best way to obtain protein is through your daily diet, but if you use a supplement, make sure it's the right balance of protein to fulfill your body's everyday needs.