Protein is an essential building block of the body, acquired from the food we eat. All of our cells and most of our body fluids contain protein. The body uses protein to repair cells and to make new ones, so we need to replenish our protein supplies continually through food (this is especially important in childhood, adolescence, and pregnancy).
Proteins are made up of amino acids, some of which our bodies cannot produce, so we must consume them as food. These essential amino acids are found in animal proteins, such as meat, eggs, and dairy products (called complete proteins). Vegetarians or vegans can get them by combining two or more incomplete proteins from plant sources: beans, peas, nuts, seeds, and grains. Soybeans are the exception —- they are a plant-based complete protein.
See all fitness terms.
