Facts about Protein

1. "Proteins are made up of amino acids."  These amino acids are the building blocks of the human body, and while we can produce some of them on our own, we require our diet to provide the others.  When we ingest these other amino acids, our bodies turn them into proteins, which in turn help with the molecular structure to keep us going.

2. "Protein makes up the body's structure"  Proteins are what help our body to repair muscles, regulate hormones, control metabolism, etc.  The more active the person, the more protein they need to repair and replace what's used by their levels of activity.

3. If we don't eat enough protein, it can actually be detrimental and damaging to our bodies.  When we don't provide ourselves with the nutrients that we need, our bodies will need to find ways to acquire them, and are likely to take them from other areas, such as our immune systems.  This can result in the following:

• Bone cell synthesis
• Red blood cell production
• Heart cell turnover rate
• Neurotransmitters/mood
• Sense of well-being/stamina
• Immune function/antibodies
• Enzymes/hormones
• Skin elasticity/muscle tone
• Organ function/pH balance
• Mobility/joint integrity

4.  "Proteins are nanoparticles"  Nanotechnology is one of the newest rages in science and technology, but the concept has been around as long as life itself and we're living examples of it every day.

5.  "Protein structures become more complex".  When they come in contact with other components, proteins form into glycoproteins.  They form on the surface of red blood cells and determine the A, B and O blood groups.

http://www.bodyhealth.com/html/biobuilde/key.asp
http://www.brighthub.com/science/genetics/articles/48258.aspx