Proteins to sustain life

All humans require protein to sustain life. It is the chief tissue builder and the basic substance of every cell in your body. You need protoin all through life for the maintenance and repair of body tissues.

Protein is made up of smaller units called amino acids. When foods are digested, the proteins are broken down into amino acids, which are then re­arranged to form the many special and distinct pro­teins in your body. The proteins in food are usually made up of eigh­teen or more different kinds of amino acids. Your body can make its own supply of more than half of these.

The others, called essential amino acids, must come ready-made from the foods you eat. The amino acid composition of protein determines Its nutri­tional value. Highest in value are proteins that supply all the essential amino acids in approximately the proportions needed by your body, funereally, these proteins are in foods of animal origin: meat, fish, poultry, egos, and milk. Proteins from grains, vegetables, and fruits sup­ply valuable amounts of many amino acids but lewder than do animal proteins.

Proteins from legumes, es­pecially soy beans and chickpeas, are almost as good as proteins from animal sources. For a bodybuiler's daily meals, only a portion of the protein needs to come from animal sources. Combin­ing cereal and vegetable foods with a little meat or other sources of animal protein will improve the protein value of the meal.

Examples of nourishing combinations are cereal with milk, rice with list, spaghetti with meat sauce, and vegetable stew with meat. Or you could simply have milk as a beverage along with foods of plant origin. It is good to have some food from animal sources at each meal.