Wellness
Complete Protein Sources Explained
Discover what complete proteins are, why they are essential for your health, and the best animal and plant-based sources to add to your diet.
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What is it?
A complete protein is a food source that contains all nine essential amino acids our bodies cannot produce on their own. These amino acids—histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine—are crucial building blocks for the body. They are vital for functions like building and repairing tissues, muscle growth, and producing hormones and enzymes. Most animal-based foods such as meat, fish, dairy, and eggs are complete proteins. Plant-based sources are less common, but include soy products, quinoa, buckwheat, and hempseed.
Why is it trending?
There is a growing emphasis on optimizing nutrition for fitness and overall wellness. Complete proteins are trending because they are fundamental for muscle repair and growth, making them popular among athletes and fitness enthusiasts. Additionally, as more people adopt vegetarian and vegan diets, there's increased awareness about the need to find plant-based complete protein sources. Discussions around health now frequently highlight the quality of protein, not just the quantity, pushing complete proteins into the spotlight for maintaining a balanced and effective diet.
How does it affect people?
Consuming adequate complete proteins affects everyone by supporting essential bodily functions. A sufficient intake helps in maintaining muscle mass, supports a healthy metabolism, and can increase feelings of fullness, which aids in weight management. For those on plant-based diets, it's important to combine different foods, like rice and beans or hummus and pita, to form a complete protein profile. This ensures they receive all essential amino acids for optimal health, preventing potential deficiencies and supporting their fitness and wellness goals.