Protein: What Is Protein?
Proteins are the building blocks of all living organisms. They make up everything from your muscles to your bones and even some organs like the brain. Every cell in our bodies contains at least one protein. There are two types of proteins, essential (essential) and non-essential (non-essential). Essential proteins cannot be made without them while non-essentials must be obtained through food or supplements.
Essential Amino Acids (EAA): EAA are the building blocks of life. They include amino acids such as leucine, isoleucine, valine and methionine. These EAA are necessary for growth and development of every organism.
Without these essential amino acids, life would not exist.
Non-Essential Amino Acids (NEA): NEA are the building blocks of life. They include glutamic acid, aspartic acid, phenylalanine and tryptophan. These amino acids do not have any function other than being required for their synthesis.
Without these non-essential amino acids, life would not exist.
The body uses both types of EAA to build proteins and cells. It can not acquire these from food and requires them to be ingested directly.
Where Are They Found?
Proteins are found everywhere in the body. Meat, fish, eggs and dairy all have high quantities of these essential building blocks. Some vegetables also contain some quantities of EAA, including:
Quinoa
Spinach
Chick peas
Black beans
Some companies have begun to produce plant-based sources of protein. The most common are pea and hemp protein powders.
Amino Acids: The Building Blocks Of Life
Protein is the building block of life. They contain the amino acid chains needed to maintain and build muscle tissue, organs and skin. The human body requires a balance of all 20 known amino acids to remain healthy.
These amino acids cannot be stored by the body for later use, so they must be obtained through diet on a regular basis. If the body is deprived of any of these 20 amino acids, it cannot synthesize proteins and the body begins to suffer from malnutrition and ultimately death.

There are two types of amino acids: essential and non-essential. Non-essential amino acids are synthesized in the body and do not need to be ingested through food. While essential amino acids must be ingested through food or supplements.
Essential Amino Acids: The EAA
There are 9 essential amino acids, which the human body cannot synthesize. These essential amino acids must be ingested through diet or supplementation. The most important of these is the EAA known as leucine.
Leucine is one of the three branched chain amino acids, which also includes isoleucine and valine. These are essential for growth, development and maintenance of muscle mass.
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