Proteins are the components that build and repair the human body. Their main function is to repair damaged muscles and tissues. There is protein in our enzymes and their function is to fasten the chemical reactions in the human body. There are traces of proteins found in hormones like insulin, which help regulate cell activities and other organs.
The blood in our arteries contains hemoglobin. It is composed partially of proteins. It’s what carries and circulates the oxygen from the air into our bodies. Proteins are necessary for the formation of the body’s structure and regulation of bodily tissues and other organs. They regulate the performance of other essential functions.
Proteins are constructed of a thousand and more small units known as amino acids. They are attached to each other in the form of long chain-like structures.

How Much Protein Should Be Consumed
The National Institute Of Medicine Food And Nutrition Board says that an adult must ingest 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. In simple words, an average adult should consume 8 grams of protein per 20 pounds of their body weight. Around 10 to 35 percent calories ingested per day should be in the form of proteins.
Anything done in excess is dangerous to health. Here’s what happens when you consume too much protein.

The Breath Smells Funky
Cutting your carb intake to the bare minimum will put your body in a condition called ketosis. In this condition, the body begins to burn the existing fat in the body instead of the usual carbohydrates. It might sound like a good thing, to help you lose weight. But there are drawbacks and dangers that you should know about. It leaves a disgusting stench in your mouth. This phenomenon occurs when the body is burning fat. It releases a chemical called ketone. There are times when you feel like your mouth tastes of nail polish remover. Another downer, brushing or flossing doesn’t make it go away. That’s because the smell isn’t coming from your mouth, but from your internal systems.

Weight Gain
In terms of short term goals, eating a protein rich diet will help you shed weight quickly. But being on a diet with egg whites and whey proteins for a prolonged duration, without cutting down on other items, you’re more likely to gain weight. Studies show that, on a long-term basis, more than 5,000 adults found that those who consumed mostly proteins, were more prone to becoming overweight.

Kidneys Function Erratically
From a recent study conducted by the American Journal of Kidney Disease, consuming a high protein diet on a regular basis leads to kidney disease. The body burns fats, producing ketones. Although they do help in weight loss, ketones are harmful to the kidneys.

One feels dehydrated
Since the body begins burning fats instead of carbs, ketone formation occurs. These ketones are toxic in nature and harmful to our kidneys. The excretion of ketones becomes difficult. Due to this, there’s a lot of water that’s used to help the kidneys process all of this. Because of this, you tend to become dehydrated easily.

Firstly, what are proteins?
Proteins are extremely essential for the human body. It helps in repairing and building tissues, acts as enzymes, helps in maintaining and boosting the immune system, and keeps you healthy and strong. Proteins are a type of macromolecule. Macromolecules are carbohydrates, lipids, DNA, RNA, and nucleic acids. Basically, macromolecules are large molecules in the body of an organism that has specialized functions, and protein is one such macromolecule.

Benefits of Proteins
Incorporating healthy protein foods in your diet is extremely beneficial. Here’s a list of those benefits:
– Proteins help in improving muscle mass
– Eating enough protein ensures that your muscle mass is well maintained. Proteins take care of your tendons, ligaments and other tissues in your body. It is very important to consume proteins after an exercise session, as proteins provide the necessary strength and helps in repairing any damaged muscle or tissue.
– Proteins help keep your weight in check
– Proteins make you full and provide the adequate nutrients for your body. By consuming a healthy amount of proteins, your body experiences a feeling of satiety, thereby stopping you from overeating.
– Proteins help regulate and stabilize blood sugar levels
– Proteins help in slowing down the absorption of sugar during meals. A diet that is high in proteins can prevent a sudden spike in blood sugar levels.
– Proteins help with brain function, concentration, and learning
– Your brain needs proteins. Having healthy proteins will ensure that your brain gets the protein it needs. In order to make enzymes, hormones, and neurotransmitters, your brain needs proteins. Proteins also contain amino acids. Amino acids help with your focus and other cognitive processes.
– Proteins help with maintaining strong bones
– A protein-rich diet can help prevent any form of bone weakness, heal broken bones and fractures, and is extremely beneficial for people suffering from osteoporosis and arthritis.

Foods That Are Rich In Proteins
The recommended daily intake of proteins for women is about 46 grams and about 56 grams for men. Here’s a list of healthy protein foods that you should include in your diet:

– Chicken breast
– Milk
– Broccoli
– Egg
– Almond
– Lean beef
– Fish
– Shrimp
– Oats
– Cottage cheese
– Greek yogurt
– Sprouts
– Peanuts
– Tuna
– Quinoa
– Whey protein supplements
– Lentils
– Wheat bread
– Pumpkin seeds
– Cheese
– Pork chops
– Turkey breast
– Halibut
– Sardines
– Beans
– Lentils
– Green peas
– Wheat germ

While it is extremely beneficial to consume protein on a daily basis, you need to keep in mind that too much protein can be bad for you too. Excessive protein consumption can result in the following:
– Your kidneys might get affected negatively
– Too much protein can make you feel bloated, constipated, and cause other gastrointestinal issues
– Excessive protein consumption can lead to weight gain
– Dehydration
– Too much protein can cause an abnormal increase in liver enzymes
– Risk of having heart diseases and complication increases

So when you consume your proteins, make sure to keep all the above factors in mind to lead a healthier and happier life.

Protein supplements are meant to provide muscle gain and help delaying fatigue thus providing stamina. Protein supplements have been around the block since quite a time now and they have been popular with weight lifting and body building enthusiasts and athletes alike.The earliest known commercial food supplements were marketed in the early 1900’s. At that time, most of the supplements were crude when compared to present-day versions of supplements. They proved popular anyway because there was little or no competition.

One of the first protein products was sold as a milk-and-egg protein formulation. It was years ahead of its time. It was somehow figured out that milk and eggs were two of the best proteins. This was because they served as the initial food for many animals and thus, were associated with growth. The formulation was reformulated over the years. The milk-and-egg protein supplement was a sensation in bodybuilding and even in movie circles back in the late 1900’s.

For those who found it hard to gain weight and muscle, it was recommended to mix protein with heavy cream and flavored extracts that were somewhat suitable. This trend was followed by preeminent bodybuilders of the era, including the first Mr. Olympia, Larry Scott, who won that title in 1965. This unleashed a wave of supplement manufacturing companies that were selling a wide range of supplements and protein formulas, soy-based protein formulas being one of them. There were some range of protein supplements that were dubbed as “Protein from the Sea,” which were made from some type of seaweed. It had the consistency of sawdust and tasted like dehydrated fish scales.

It became apparent with the progression of science and technology that the best types of protein came from milk and eggs. This led to the next great revolution in sports nutrition, namely the engineered food. The supplement industry has grown rapidly over the past decade. As a result, there are countless products in the market. While some are research backed as claimed by the companies, others are supported by little more than a well-known athlete’s endorsement. Some popular protein supplements include MTS nutrition machine Whey, BSN Syntha-6, Dymatize elite, core nutritional pro and many others.