Protein and Your Health: The Importance of Consuming Protein

Are you getting enough protein in your diet? Research shows that over 1 billion people globally suffer from protein deficiency. It's a worrisome statistic that, unfortunately, isn't expected to change anytime soon. Experts, in fact, believe that rates of protein deficiency will increase in the years to come. Unless you're familiar with protein, though, you might be wondering why it's important. Well, protein is linked to a myriad of processes within the human body, many of which play a direct role in your health and wellness.

Immune System

Protein is used by the immune system to protect against infections. The immune system, of course, is a complex system within the human body that's responsible for defending against infectious viruses and bacteria. Like other bodily systems, it needs nutrients to operate. One of the key nutrients used by the immune system is protein. Protein stimulates the production of antibodies that the immune system uses to fight off viruses and bacteria that could otherwise cause infection.

Cellular Repair

Protein is also used by the human body to repair damaged cells. Skin cells and other soft tissue cells use protein as their building blocks. In other words, cells are literally built using protein. When you sustain an injury that damages cells, your body will enter repair mode by rebuilding the damaged cells with protein. This repair mechanism can only occur if you consume an adequate amount of protein.

Muscle Growth

There's a strong correlation between muscle synthesis and protein levels. If you're trying to increase your muscle mass, you'll need to consume plenty of protein. The human body uses protein to make muscles bigger and stronger. Going back to the basics of muscle-building 101, you must expose your muscles to stress -- typically by lifting weights -- to increase muscle mass. Exposure to stress will break down your muscle tissue, at which point your body will rebuild them using protein.

Hormone Production

Another reason why protein is important is because it stimulates the production of hormones. Hormones are natural chemicals in the human body that are used for metabolic processes. Hunger hormones, for example, are responsible for creating hunger cravings, essentially "telling" your body that it needs food. While other nutrients affect hormone production, protein is among the most important.

Don't let your health suffer because of insufficient protein intake. Make the necessary changes to your diet to increase your intake of this otherwise invaluable nutrient.