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Meat
is a very efficient deliverer of protein. Because the muscles
of animals and humans share the same components, eating animal
tissue is an easy way to get this necessary nutrient.
Proteins
are made up of
amino acids
.
Amino acids determine the structure and function of proteins.
Among other things, amino acids help build cells and repair tissue,
form antibodies, and carry oxygen throughout the body.
There
are twenty-two known amino acids, eight of which are called
essential,
meaning that our bodies can't manufacture them and must get them
from the foods we eat. The table below shows the essential amino
acids, the function of the proteins they're found in, and where
you can get them in your diet.
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sulfur
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nitrogen
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carbon
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hydrogen
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oxygen
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PROTEIN
FUNCTION
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ANIMAL
SOURCES
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PLANT
SOURCES
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blood-sugar
regulation
growth
and repair
of muscle tissue
hemoglobin development
energy
regulation
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beef
dairy
eggs
fish
poultry
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almonds
lentils
seeds
soy
wheat
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sulfur
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nitrogen
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carbon
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hydrogen
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oxygen
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PROTEIN
FUNCTION
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ANIMAL
SOURCES
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PLANT
SOURCES
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blood-sugar
regulation
growth
and repair of muscle tissue
hormone
production
wound
healing
energy
regulation
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beef
dairy
eggs
fish
poultry
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almonds
brown
rice
lentils
seeds
soy
wheat
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sulfur
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nitrogen
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carbon
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hydrogen
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oxygen
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PROTEIN
FUNCTION
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ANIMAL
SOURCES
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PLANT
SOURCES
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development
and regulation of collagen, antibodies,
hormones, and enzymes
promotes calcium absorption
growth and repair of muscle tissue
lowers
serum triglycerides
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lima
beans
potatoes
soy
yeast
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sulfur
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nitrogen
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carbon
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hydrogen
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oxygen
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PROTEIN
FUNCTION
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ANIMAL
SOURCES
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PLANT
SOURCES
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may
prevent arterial fat buildup
may
act as an antioxidant
promotes
collagen synthesis
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beans
garlic
lentils
onions
soybeans
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sulfur
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nitrogen
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carbon
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hydrogen
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oxygen
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PROTEIN
FUNCTION
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ANIMAL
SOURCES
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PLANT
SOURCES
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neurotransmitter
function
increases
blood levels of norepinephrine, epinephrine,
dopamine
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almonds
avocados
peanuts
seeds
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sulfur
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nitrogen
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carbon
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hydrogen
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oxygen
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PROTEIN
FUNCTION
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ANIMAL
SOURCES
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PLANT
SOURCES
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sulfur
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nitrogen
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carbon
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hydrogen
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oxygen
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PROTEIN
FUNCTION
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ANIMAL
SOURCES
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PLANT
SOURCES
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precursor
for serotonin (aids sleep and combats
anxiety)
niacin production
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barley
brown rice
peanuts
soybeans
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sulfur
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nitrogen
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carbon
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hydrogen
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oxygen
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PROTEIN
FUNCTION
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ANIMAL
SOURCES
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PLANT
SOURCES
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growth
and repair of muscle tissue
energy regulation
niacin
production
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grains
mushrooms
nuts
soy
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sulfur
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nitrogen
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carbon
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hydrogen
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oxygen
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PROTEIN
FUNCTION
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ANIMAL
SOURCES
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PLANT
SOURCES
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growth
tissue
repair
histamine
development
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Protein
illustrations courtesy of San Diego Supercomputer Center/ Step
Program
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