Protein is one of the most essential nutrients required for the body. In fact protein is responsible for building muscles and also in losing fat. Protein also plays a vital role in cell maintenance and repair. That is why body builders are giving much importance to protein in their diet.

The amount of protein required for the body is directly relative to the body weight of a person. Why protein requirement is compared to the body weight? It is because amino acids present in the protein are not needed by the fat cells, instead they are utilized our body mass.Protein is made of these amino acids and they look like building blocks. There are totally 22 different types of amino acids and they are grouped into two categories- essential and non essential. There are eight major amino acids which are required by our body and they comprise leucine, isoleucine, lysine, valine, phenylalanine, methionine, tryptophan and threonine. Different food items have different amino acids present in it and therefore it is you who should give significance to these eight major essential amino acids in your diet.

Sources of Protein

Dietitians and nutritionists mainly recommended animal sources of protein such as egg, meat, fish, milk and other diary products. It is mainly because animal sources of protein are easily digestible than plant sources. Due to the presence of fiber and other intrinsic substances, plant sources of protein slow down the digestion process by ten percent.

Sources of protein in a vegetarian diet

However if you or your family members are vegetarian then it is not possible to meet your protein requirement through animal sources. Some of the main sources of protein in vegetarian diet are grains, pulses, nuts and seeds, all of which provides adequate amount of energy.  Pulses alone can contribute 1/4th of your calorie requirement followed by grains 13 percent and nuts and seeds 12 percent. Therefore it is quite easy to meet the required amount of protein level.

Advantages of Plant Sources of Protein

Studies have found out that diet which is solely based on plant sources can meet the entire protein requirement and also the essential amino acids required for your body. Doctors and nutritionists suggest that there is no need to take proteins as a separate meal. Instead of that you can have along with your normal course of meal.

Protein Deficiency and its ill-effect on health

Protein deficiency may lead to a deficiency syndrome known as kwashiorkor. The cause of disease is simple- shortage of protein in your diet and if left untreated it may eventually leads to death. It can be cured by providing adequate protein foods to the diseased person.

Marasmus is yet another disease affected due to the deficiency of protein. It is mainly due to starvation or lack of food and it is the main cause that steals the lives of millions of people worldwide.