Protein hasn't been demonized as much yet as the other macronutrients, although I'm sure it's the next thing since our culture has aleady scapegoated fat and carbohydrates.  However some groups who promote various types of vegetarian eating maintain that animal proteins are "bad" for our health (I disagree).  

Protein –

-Functions like the maintenance department of a building.  It is used to create, maintain and repair every organ and tissue in your body. 

-Is used to make enzymes which facilitate almost every metabolic process in the body (e.g. digestion).

-Promotes wound healing.  Hospital RD's prescribe extra protein for patients who have injuries or surgeries to help their wounds heal faster.

-Helps control hunger and gives food satiety power.  It does this by making your food digest more slowly which keeps your blood sugar stable. 

-Strengthens your immune system. 

Inadequate protein intake causes the body to break itsself down for protein.  This often results in symptoms such as fatigue, hair loss, muscle wasting, changes in skin and nails, aches, mood swings, fluctuations in blood sugar, impaired immunity, and more.  

As we continue to discuss the benefits of the macronutrients, be gentle with yourself.  You are up against a world with many distorted beliefs about food and nutrition.  As we reframe food as nutrients that fuel the body we can embrace all types of food in a way that works for our body's overall wellbeing rather than against it. 

Tomorrow we will cover the benefits of fat.