Protein

 A while back, I planned on doing a segment on the three macronutrients: Protein, Fats, and Carbohydrates. This segment will be the focus of the next six or so installments.

First, we will discuss protein. This is the most appropriate to start with, because its name it self means to "come first" or "of the first rank." this is why its presence and position at each meal should be the first consideration, not the last. Did you know that next to water, protein is the most prevalent substance in the body? Remove all the water from the body, and over 50% of the dry weight is protein. In order to emphasize this, check out what is made of protein.

• Hemoglobin that carries oxygen in your blood is made of protein;
• The structure of your genes;
• Your brain cells;
• All enzymes are protein. These control every bodily function from a blink of an eye to the creation of new muscle.

Enzymes are very important in how your body works. All enzymes are protein, so it is very important to get your protein nutrition right. As I mentioned, your genes are mode of proteins. Your nutrition directly affect how the genes work in your body. Researches have shown that nearly 98% of the molecules in your body is replaced every six months. Bits and pieces of your body are constantly being replaced by new proteins. In six months your biceps, your blood, your enzymes, and even the structures of your genes will be made entirely from what you have eaten in the last six months.

The bottom line is that if you eat poor quality proteins then all the structures of your body; muscles, bones, teeth, blood, ect.. will be poor quality. To quote one of my mentors Dr. Michael Colgan:

"The human system is super ingenious at making do with inadequate building materials, patching, and pinch-hitting, but it can't build premium tissue from garbage. A Twinkies and coffee diet produces a Twinkies and coffee body. For optimum performance you have to eat optimum protein to build optimum structure--period."

In my next installment, I will discuss how much protein we should eat.