Proteins are macronutrients that help the growth and maintenance of body tissue. Amino acids are the fundamental building blocks of protein and are categorized as important or non-essential.
Since proteins have several roles in our body, this results in eight types of protein that determines how each acts to the body system.
Currently, the popularity of high-protein diets has become evident, making more people interested in trying it in themselves. This resulted in various protein supplements of different types, flavors, and brands to show up in the market. So for someone who is just starting to get into a high-protein lifestyle, the countless options can seem overwhelming and confusing. And that’s why we’re here to help you be certain in which protein shake to pick up the next time you hit the store.
In order to know the best type of protein for your diet plans and goals, we should first explore and learn all the options out there.
Hormonal Protein
An example of a hormone protein is insulin, which is secreted by the pancreas to control blood sugar levels in your body. Hormones are protein-based chemicals secreted by endocrine gland cells. These are normally transported through the blood, serve as chemical messengers that relay signals from one cell to another. Each hormone affects certain cells of your body, known as target cells. These so-called target cells have unique receptors to which the hormone is attached to transmit signals.
Enzymatic Protein
Enzymatic proteins are the type that works its way into our digestion. What it does is it accelerates metabolic processes in your cells, including liver function, stomach absorption, blood clotting, and glycogen conversion to glucose. An example of this is the digestive enzymes that break down food into simpler forms that your body can easily absorb.
Structural Protein
Collagen is a great example of a structural protein. It is the connective framework of most human body parts including your muscles, bones, tendons, skin, and cartilage. Often known as fibrous proteins as well. This fibrous protein also includes keratin and elastin. Keratin is the main structural component of the hair, nails, teeth, and skin.
Receptor Protein
The function of receptor protein is intended to identify and bind to particular substances outside the cell. Located on the outer part of the cells, the receptor proteins control the substances entering and leaving the cells, including water and nutrients. They can trigger a signaling cascade or chemical response that induces cell growth, division, and death, or opens membrane channels. Some receptors activate enzymes, while others induce endocrine glands to secrete epinephrine and insulin to stabilize blood sugar levels.
Storage Protein
Storage proteins function as reservoirs of metal ions and amino acids that can be mobilized and used for the maintenance and development of cells. Iron, for example, is the ion required for the production of hemoglobin, the key structural component of red blood cells. Ovalbumin and casein are storage proteins present in breast milk and egg whites, respectively, which play a major role in embryonic development.
Contractile Protein
Contractile proteins are also known as motor proteins. They control the strength and speed of heart and muscle contractions. To be exact, the proteins responsible for this are actin and myosin.
Defensive Protein
From the name itself, defensive proteins are antibodies or immunoglobulin. This means that it is a vital component of the immune system, holding pathogens or harmful viruses threatening to harm. The process of killing dangerous microorganisms like bacteria and viruses occurs when antibodies are produced in white blood cells.
Transport Protein
A transport protein is a protein that serves the purpose of transporting other materials inside the body, this means that transport proteins transport essential materials to the cells.
One common example of this process is hemoglobin, which transfers oxygen from the lungs to body tissues. Serum albumin holds fats in your bloodstream, while myoglobin absorbs oxygen from hemoglobin and then releases it to your muscles. Calbindin is another transport protein that facilitates the absorption of calcium from the intestinal walls.
Aside from the 8 types mentioned, protein food groups are classified into 3 classifications.
This category of foods includes all the essential amino acids. Necessary amino acids are the amino acids that your body can not naturally produce, so they must come from the food you eat. The most common examples of these are animal foods, such as beef, milk, and eggs, as well as certain plant-based foods such as quinoa and amaranth.
This food group includes at least one essential amino acid, which causes a lack of protein balance. These foods may still be seen as good protein sources, but a person needs to make sure that he or she has the other essential amino acids in the food they consume. The most popular examples of these are plant foods, such as peas, beans, and grains, most of which contain incomplete proteins.
This refers to two or more foods containing incomplete proteins that humans can combine to provide complete proteins. These are the foods that match each other to create a balanced intake of amino acids. The best examples are rice and beans or peanut butter bread.
Having a better understanding of how protein affects our body is a crucial step in achieving a safe and healthy high-protein diet.
But the answer to how much protein is appropriate for you is too broad. And it does not need to be. Our goal is to help people have a more concrete plan on how they can achieve their goals in a less complicated way. The protein calculator is designed to aid people in the right and healthy way of building muscles, losing weight, and having a lean body.
By answering only a few questions, our calculator, designed by health & bodybuilder experts, will then make the calculations for you. Make things easier and try the Protein Calculator today!