About Protein

WHY YOUR BODY NEEDS PROTEIN

Here are five compelling reasons why you should make sure you are getting enough protein every day:

1. Build. Protein is an important building block of bones, muscles, cartilage and skin. In fact, your hair and nails are comprised mostly of protein.

2. Repair. Your body uses it to build and repair tissue.

3. Oxygenate. Red blood cells contain a protein compound that carries oxygen throughout the body. This helps supply your entire body with the nutrients it needs.

4. Digest. About half the dietary protein that you consume each day goes into making enzymes, which aids in digesting food, and making new cells and body chemicals.

5. Regulate. Protein plays an important role in hormone regulation, especially during the transformation and development of cells during puberty.

HOW PROTEIN CAN HELP YOU STAY IN SHAPE

Eating high-protein foods has many fitness benefits, including:

• Speeding recovery after exercise and/or injury
• Reducing muscle loss
• Building lean muscle
• Helping maintain a healthy weight
• Curbing hunger

Waldeck points out another benefit of protein — it fills you up faster.

“Protein plus fiber keeps us full longer, which means you don’t feel the urge to eat as often. This helps keep weight down while fueling our cells with the right nutrients they need.