What makes food a Protein?
Protein is made up of carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen molecules. The primary structure of a protein is made up of peptide chains, which are smaller units of amino acids that have joined together to make one chain. These chains then form different levels of proteins. Each level has its own structure and each has a different purpose: Primary: simplest form (amino acids), Secondary: gives protein strength and stiffness, Tertiary: used for enzymes, transport proteins, and immuno-proteins, and Quaternary are the most complex. Since we normal digest tertiary, and quaternary level proteins, during the digestive process, our bodies break those complex structures back down to their primary structure, which we then use for energy, muscle repair, etc.
How does the body break down and absorb protein?
Once you consume protein, the process of breaking down the complex structures into smaller peptides starts in the stomach. The stomach contains an acid called gastric hydrochloric acid and this acid breaks down her proteins into smaller structures to help aid absorption. Once the stomach breaks down your protein, the simpler molecules are passed to the small intense. An inactive enzyme called proenzymes is released by your pancreas, to break your food into amino acids. Once absorbed, the amino acids will either be used for energy or synthesize new proteins like hormones and digestive enzymes! Most amino acids will go to the liver, for another digestive break down process. The liver removes amino acids to produce energy, glucose, ketone bodies, cholesterol, or fatty acids. What the liver doesn’t use, it sends out to feed the other cells in our body. Out of all of the amino acids that are absorbed about 20g will get through to our bloodstream, and about 14g of those 20g will be branched-chain amino acids. BCAA is used for muscle proteins, skeletal and connective tissues, enzymes, immune system chemicals, transport protein, etc.
How does this relate to Ideal Protein?
We need dietary protein to live. Unlike carbohydrates and fats, we can’t store protein, and because we are constantly breaking down and building new proteins, having an adequate amount of protein in your diet is crucial to thriving in your everyday activities. On average you will be eating between 80-110g of protein per day. All of our products range between 15-25g of protein. Eating 3 packets a day plus your recommend 4-6oz of protein at night will get you to reach your adequate protein consumption amount.
Comments