Basics
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Summary
Protein is in every cell in the body. Our bodies need protein from the foods we eat to build and maintain bones, muscles and skin. We get proteins in our diet from meat, dairy products, nuts, and certain grains and beans. Proteins from meat and other animal products are complete proteins. This means they supply all of the amino acids the body can't make on its own. Most plant proteins are incomplete. You should eat different types of plant proteins every day to get all of the amino acids your body needs.
It is important to get enough dietary protein. You need to eat protein every day, because your body doesn't store it the way it stores fats or carbohydrates. How much you need depends on your age, sex, health, and level of physical activity. Most Americans eat enough protein in their diet.
Diagnosis and Tests
- Total Protein and Albumin-Globulin (A/G) Ratio (American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
Related Issues
- High-Protein Diets: Are They Safe? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
Specifics
- Beans and Other Legumes: Types and Cooking Tips (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
- Meat, Poultry, and Fish: Picking Healthy Proteins (American Heart Association)
Statistics and Research
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What Is Structural Biology?
(National Institute of General Medical Sciences)
Clinical Trials
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Dietary Proteins
(National Institutes of Health)
Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
Reference Desk
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The Structures of Life
(National Institute of General Medical Sciences)
- PDF
Patient Handouts
- Kwashiorkor (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Protein in diet (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish