The Importance of Protein In Your Diet

The American Heart Association recommends a daily diet that receives no more than 30% of energy from fat and no more than 8% from saturated fat. A high protein diet should not consist of more than 40% protein. Protein is involved in all biological functions of the body and is therefore necessary for an organism's life to continue. It is a part of every organ, bone, nerve, muscle, tissue, and tooth. Protein is also a part of your blood. Protein is needed to build and repair tissues and is the building block of most body structures. Protein maintains an acid base balance in the body and it is important in the body's immune system. It contributes to the production of antibodies, which are designed to fight antigens, or foreign proteins.
When you don't have enough protein your feet may swell, this is called edema. This can also happen to your abdomen and it is called Ascites. However, there it is possible to consume too much protein. If this happens, the protein will turn into fat.