All about Protein by Sue Gilbert P rotein is the building block of life. Not counting water, protein makes up three quarters of your body and is found in every cell. Your muscles, your organs, some hormones, the antibodies used to fight off infections, and the enzymes used to facilitate chemical reactions in your body are all made up of protein. Not all proteins are alike, nor are they all created equal.
Proteins are complex compounds that are made up of smaller compounds called amino acids.
There are twenty different amino acids that can be combined in an infinite number of ways to make up all the thousands of different proteins your body needs. Of these twenty amino acids, your body can manufacture eleven. Your body is constantly tearing down and building back up its muscles, connective tissues, blood and skin. It will recycle some amino acids while eliminating others. You are in a continual state of protein turnover.