5 Key Reasons Why We Need Protein, According to an RD

Gaby Vaca-Flores, RD, CLE, explains why we need protein and how it’s so important for overall health. Plus: How much protein do you need daily? Everyone needs protein in their diets, primarily because it’s an essential nutrient. This means that the body relies on a regular supply of it from dietary sources to meet its needs. Additionally, protein exists in a synthesis cycle. In other words, the body is always breaking down, using, and discarding it, making it that much more important to ensure you’re getting enough. Keep reading to find out why we need protein and how much you should really have daily.

Why Do We Need Protein?

Quite often, many of us associate this macronutrient with building muscle. While that’s certainly spot on, it actually plays a role in nearly every bodily process, as well. Here are five reasons why we need protein to maintain good health.

1. Protein supports a healthy immune system

The immune system uses specialized proteins called antibodies or immunoglobulins to protect against infections. Antibodies are specifically created and released in response to an invasion from harmful pathogens like bacteria and viruses. As this process repeats itself, the immune response becomes more efficient at producing pathogen-specific antibodies, thus making it easier for the body to fight infections. Additionally, certain amino acids (the building blocks of protein) may have an immuno-preserving effect. For example, the amino acid arginine can help promote the healthy function of T-cells, an essential part of the immune system. Arginine can also protect against low protein levels, which may compromise the immune system.

2. Protein Builds + Maintains Muscle

Muscle is mostly made of protein. So naturally, in order to build and maintain muscle mass, you need to consistently ingest adequate amounts of protein. This requirement is especially pertinent for strength trainers and athletes who frequently tear muscle during their workouts. In addition, people who follow weight loss regimens may be at risk for muscle loss on account of dietary restriction. Research suggests that adequate protein intake during weight loss can help overweight people maintain muscle mass and strength.

3. Protein Adds Structure

Surprising to most, protein helps provide structure in many areas of the body. Structural proteins are fibrous, meaning they provide connective tissues with strength and protection. These structural proteins include:

1. collagen
2. elastin
3. keratin

Of the three types, collagen is the most abundant. In fact, collagen makes up about 35 percent of the body’s protein. Collagen helps provide elasticity and firmness to the skin, ligaments, tendons. Additionally, a 2018 study found that collagen peptides may help improve bone density. Next, elastin gives most of the body’s tissues flexibility and resilience. Specifically, elastin allows tissues to maintain their structural integrity, even after repeated stretching. Lastly, keratin is the protein that gives hair, skin, and nails its strength and structure. Keratin packs a sulfur-rich amino acid called cysteine, which provides keratin with the strength to be less prone to damages, scratches, or tears. For this reason, many smoothing hair care treatments include keratin as a main ingredient.

4. Protein Helps Manage Weight

Protein can help you maintain a healthy weight in a number of ways. For starters, it’s the most filling macronutrient. In fact, a review on the effect of protein suggests that it can promote greater satiety and increase thermogenesis, the process by which calories are burned. In addition, protein can positively influence the hormones that affect appetite. Specifically, protein may help lower levels of ghrelin, the hunger hormone. Lower grehlin levels can help prevent overeating, which often results in weight gain. Protein can also promote healthy peptide YY levels, which can help you feel fuller, faster. Moreover, a 2020 study suggests that following a high-protein diet can help support weight reduction and prevent plateaus throughout a weight loss regimen. Additionally, another study found that women who increased their caloric intake of protein by 30 percent experience 11 pounds of weight loss over the course of 12 weeks—all without making any other dietary changes.

5. Protein Supports Growth, Development + Repair

Finally, it plays an important role for growth and pro-aging. Amino acids help grow and maintain tissues found in all areas of the body, including:

• blood vessels
• bones
• muscles
• tendons
• skin, hair + nails

In particular, major life stages including infancy, adolescence, and pregnancy rely mostly on protein to support exponential, healthy growth. Illness and injury also call for protein to help the body’s tissues and cells repair. To heal itself, the body may likely become hypermetabolic. When this occurs, the body breaks down and discards protein at a quicker rate. Consequently, this can lead to the loss of muscle mass and strength—hence why protein is so important for recovery.

How much do you need daily?

Now that we understand why we need protein, we should investigate how much of it we need daily. To begin, most people aren’t deficient in protein. That said, the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein starts at 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight per day. More comfortable using pounds instead of kilograms? Calculate the minimum estimated amount of protein you should eat each day with this formula:

• body weight (in pounds) x 0.36 = # of grams of protein needed per day (at minimum)

However, your needs may vary depending on your activity level and health status. For instance, moderately active individuals may need about one gram of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. Meanwhile, athletes and more intensely active people may need to up that quota to 1.3 or 1.6 grams. A good rule of thumb is to aim for your meal to consist of about 25 percent protein. Plus, boosting your intake should be fairly simple. If you eat animal-based products (eggs, meat, and dairy), rest assured that they provide ample amounts of protein. Otherwise, protein is readily available in a range of plant-based foods, including:

• seeds
• nuts
• beans
• vegan protein powder

Final Thoughts

As you can see, protein is important for many aspects of your health. In addition to supporting your muscles, protein can help keep your immune system strong, maintain hair and skin health, and support weight management. Just remember: Everyone’s protein needs will vary slightly. To ensure you’re getting enough, aim to get the majority of your protein from whole-food sources, and otherwise consider supplementing with a high-quality protein powder.