Low Carb Diets -- How Much Protein Do You Need
By Rita Preece
What is protein?
Millions of different proteins occur in nature. Protein is made of
chains of amino acids held together by peptide bonds. There are about 20
amino acids that can be bound together in various combinations to make the
millions of different proteins. There are two groups of amino acids:
non-essential amino acids, which are made by your body and essential amino
acids, which have to come from your food.
Why does my body need protein?
Protein is an important part of muscle fibre, cell walls, skin, nails and
hair. You are losing protein all the time as you shed dead skin cells,
nails and hair and it has to be replaced. At times your body needs more protein,
like when you're growing, when you're pregnant or breast-feeding, or when wounds
are healing. Protein is a source of energy for your body and the amino acids are
used to make things like adrenaline and antibodies to fight disease.
How does my body digest the protein I eat?
When you eat protein, your body's digestive system breaks it down into its
component amino acids. These are absorbed into your bloodstream through
the walls of your small intestine and your liver. Your body puts the amino
acids together in whatever combinations it needs, e.g. to make hair protein or
new skin cells. Proteins include nitrogen molecules and one of the byproducts of
digesting proteins is ammonia. This is converted into urea which is
filtered by the kidneys and passed as urine.
How much protein does my body need?
Health authorities in the U.S.A., Canada and Australia recommend a daily
intake of 0.75 - 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of bodyweight. If
you weigh 80 kilograms, that's 60 grams of protein a day. High protein (or
low carbohydrate) diets will recommend more.
Can my body store protein?
No. You need to eat the protein your body needs every day. Any excess
protein is converted into urea and passed as urine.
Are all proteins the same?
Different proteins are made up of various combinations and amounts of amino
acids. Proteins from animals, fish, poultry, soy and Amaranth contain all
of the essential amino acids and are they are easily digestible. Proteins
from plants and grains do not usually have all of the essential amino acids and
you need to eat a selection of them to get all the amino acids you need.
What if I don't eat enough protein?
Most people eat more than enough protein. If you don't eat any animal
products, you should eat a wide variety of plant and cereal foods. Some symptoms
of protein deficiency are: poor growth, weight loss, muscle wasting, iron
deficiency, swollen feet and ankles.
Is it dangerous to eat too much protein?
There are risks associated with following a high protein diet for a long
time. Your kidneys have to collect and filter more toxic byproducts. This
may affect the function of your kidneys, particularly if you have diabetes. It
is possible for calcium to be lost from your body. If animal products are your
main source of protein, you should avoid those that are high in saturated fats
and cholesterol because they will increase the risk of a number of diseases
including heart disease.
About the Author
The author enjoys preparing and eating good, nutritious food and intends to live a long and healthy life. For more about low carb diets and some simple steps you can take to improve your health and wellness, visit http://www.healthywealthyandhappy.com
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