How would you explain the dietary importance of amino acids and proteins to a person who is following a diet composed primarily of carbohydrates?

Answer 1

The importance of protein in a healthy diet is well known to nutritional scientists, and widely understood by the general population. Indeed, every bodily system is directly or indirectly supported by protein. For example, protein supports the structural development of cells, helps ensure the integrity of tissue, aids digestion, carries hormones, and strengthens the immune system[i].

More recently, however, the motivation for people to choose protein-rich foods has been fueled by carbohydrate-free and carbohydrate-reduced diets, such as the Atkins™ Diet, South Beach Diet™ and Isometric Diet™. Via each of these diet programs, millions of people are vigilantly scanning food labels, and asking pertinent health questions when eating out. Added to this growing number of protein-aware people are, of course, the millions of bodybuilders, powerlifters and athletes who have demonstrated for centuries the irreplaceable value of protein in building and maintaining muscle.

As impressive and inspiring as it is to see that more people than ever before are "protein-conscious", there is still more useful protein information to learn. It is well past time to add an understanding of amino acids to this protein knowledge base.

Many people - understandably -- do not recognize that amino acids are not acids as they are conventionally understood. Rather, they are the molecular units that comprise protein. They are, quite simply, the very building blocks of protein.

Amino acids are organic compounds that contain two groups of molecules: amino (-NH2) and carboxyl (-COOH). There are a total of 19 amino acids in the human diet, of which 11 are non-essential, and the remaining 8 are essential. It is this critically important fact - that there are 2 kinds of amino acids -- that should be well understood and acted upon by eaters everywhere.

If the term "amino acid" does not readily suggest the link to protein, the terms "non-essential" amino acids and "essential" amino acids can be sources of even greater confusion. The nutritional world is fond of the word "essential", and uses it often to describe something that is important, or critical, or irreplaceable. For example, a nutritionist may rationally inform her patient that eating 50 grams of protein per day is essential; and by this she means "very important".

Answer 2

Your body has to have amino acids and proteins for healthy nerve and brain functions among other things. If you check out kimkins.com they have free weight loss tools, recipes and forums to answer your questions more in depth. Hope this helps!

http://www.kimkins.com Amino acids are also important for muscle and bone tissue remodeling. If you are an endurance athlete who eat a considerably amount of carbs, you still need to keep in mind that the amino acid availability is extremely important for the mitochondrial syntesis in muscle tissue to function properly. Especially if you want to increase your aerobic performance.

Increased mitochondrial density (in the myocyte) = increased aerobic capacity

So don't underestimate the importance of proteins (10 % proteins in the diet should be a minimum).