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There have been thousands of books written on this topic, so you may wish to read some of these to get a more detailed answer. The short(er) answer is that proteins serve a variety of purposes in our bodies --they can serve as enzymes, antibodies in our immune system, hormones, and as building blocks for our tissues and structure. When proteins are digested (broken down) by our bodies, the products are amino acids. It is the amino acids that actually do the work. The amino acids have a unique chemical structure and can combine with other elements in our bodies to form a variety of different compounds. Some of these amino acids can be made by the body, others need to be obtained through eating protein. It is important to get sufficient protein in the diet to ensure the body can produce energy and build tissues. Provided the kidneys are functioning properly, I often recommend at least 50-60 grams of protein daily for adults. http://www.countrydoc.com Dr. Karen Benton, Naturopathic Physician
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