It is essential that we, human beings, consume food at frequent intervals everyday to get the required energy to keep us alive in this universe. Without food in any form, one cannot survive in this world beyond a period.
While consumption of food at frequent intervals will ensure that you survive in this world, what type of food and in what proportion you consume the same on a daily basis determines the health of your body and the energy and stamina you derive from the food to keep yourself not only fit, but also hale, healthy and energetic.
Basically, a person requires the following ingredients in his daily food consumption. They include proteins, carbohydrates, fiber, fat and minerals. A right mix of the same in appropriate quantities will ensure a healthy life for a person. Proteins and carbohydrates form the bulk of our food consumption and without these two essential components, not only will be a meal complete, but the desired result of food consumption – energy to live – cannot be fulfilled in its entirety.
Let us understand more about Proteins and its importance in maintaining a healthy body.
Protein is the main ingredient that is required to maintain the body. In the early years of life, especially during childhood and adolescence, protein is very essential because it paves for growth and development of the body. Protein is required in later stages for upkeep of the body and maintenance.
What does this protein do to the body?
Protein helps in building up the body structure such as bone matter and cell tissues. Protein is found in muscles, skin, nails, hair and also in blood.
Not only does protein help in building up the body, but it also ensures and maintains supply of essential enzymes, hormones and antibodies. These essential enzymes, hormones and antibodies help in regulating the most important functions of our body, such as the ability for digesting food.
What is this protein made up of?
Protein is made up of amino acids, which are found in many foods. Rather than building blocks, these amino acids are linked together in chain structures that give each kind of protein its specific characteristics.
In all, there are as many as 24 (twenty four) amino acids that come under the category of proteins. Of these 24 amino acids, ten amino acids are called as Essential Amino Acids, and without these essential amino acids, the body cannot survive, not can the body synthesize them.
Thus, it is essential that our daily intake of food does include these 10 essential amino acids.
What are these 10 very essential amino acids?
They are:
• Isoleucine
• Lysine
• Methionine
• Phenylalanine
• Threonine
• Tryptophan
• Valine
• Histidine
• Tyrosine, and
• Leucine.
Wheat and rice, which are invariably the basic components of any meal, contains Lysine, one of the essential amino acids.
