Protein and Macrobiotic Diet

proteins are complex molecules found in almost all living things.Whereas carbohydrates are the best source of food energy,proteins are the best source of raw material for the vital processes of growth and repair

Proteins are the building blocks of the human body.They are found abundantly in th muscles,tendons,blood,and organs. The hair,finger-nails ,and skin are all made of protein.Yet it is not protein itself that we need in our diet,but the components of proteins known as amino acids.

In the process of digestions, the body breaks down proteins into amino acids. The amino acids supplied by foods,along with those recycled internally,are reasembled by the liver,creating the proteins required by the body for the repair of cells and tissues,for growth,and to maintain metabolic processes. Of the twenty-two amino acids needed to maintain health,eight of them,known as the essential amino acids, can be obtained only from food. The body is able to manufacture the others from various substances.

The macrobiotic diet supplies protein,including the eight essential amino acids,from the best available protein sources-whole grains,beans,vegetables,sea vegetables,seeds,nuts,white-meat fish,and fruit.Other protein sources,such as red meat,poultry,and milk,generally contain a high percentage of substances that can contribute to coronary disease and other health problems.

On the average,about 12 percent of the total caloric intake on the macrobiotic diet comes from protein,15 percent comes from fat, and 73 percent comes from complex carbohydrates. The way to achieve this ideal balance is to eat a variety of foods that offer an optimal amount of high-quality protein,without excessive amounts of saturated fats of cholesterol.