What is protein and why is it so important?
We are all told by PTs, coaches and supplement and meal prep companies to consume more protein within our diets, even big food brands like Kellogg's and Nestle are slapping it on some of their packaging and highlighting the product as high protein.
But why? Why is protein such an important macronutrient and what actually is it?
Protein is an essential macronutrient that repairs muscle tissue and helps us build a strong body. It is found in every cell in our bodies and plays a vital role in many biochemical processes. Our muscles, bones, skin, hair, and nails are all made up of protein. In fact, over half of our dry body weight is protein.
Protein is made up of amino acids,
Which are the building blocks of life. There are 20 different amino acids that can be used to make protein, and our bodies can make 11 of them. The other 9 must be obtained through our diet. Amino acids can be divided into 3 categories: essential, non-essential, and conditional.
What are the essential Amino Acids?
Essential amino acids are those that our bodies cannot make on their own and must be obtained through diet. There are 9 essential amino acids: isoleucine, leucine, histidine, lysine, methionine, threonine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, and valine.
What are the None-essential Amino Acids?
Non-essential amino acids are those that our bodies can make on their own from other amino acids. There are 11 non-essential amino acids: alanine, asparagine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, proline, serine, tyrosine, cysteine, and taurine.
What are Conditional Amino Acids
Conditional amino acids those that our bodies can usually make on their own, but may not be able to during periods of stress or illness. There are 2 conditional amino acids: arginine and glutamine.
Protein is important for many reasons. It helps our bodies grow and repair tissue, synthesise hormones and enzymes, boost our immune system, and more. Protein is also a major energy source for our bodies. It is broken down into smaller units called amino acids during digestion and then used for energy or stored as body fat.
Most people get enough protein from their diet, but there are some groups of people who may need to pay more attention to their protein intake. These include vegetarians and vegans, people with chronic illnesses, elderly adults, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and athletes. Protein supplements can be a helpful way to ensure that these groups of people are getting enough protein. 
If you are interested in adding more protein to your diet, there are many delicious and healthy options to choose from. Lean meats, poultry, seafood, eggs, dairy products, legumes, nuts, and seeds are all good sources of protein.
Precision Prep UK can help you get more protein throughout the day with our convenient and delicious frozen-ready meals or our pre-cooked, ready to eat protein packs https://precisionprep.uk/products/simply-seasoned-chicken-pro-prep
Our meals are high in protein, with an average of 48g of protein per meal, making it easy to get the nutrients you need to stay healthy and strong. So if you're looking for a convenient and delicious way to get more protein in your diet, be sure to check out Precision Prep UK.
