Protein bioavailability are the measurement of how much protein the body can absorb and use for biological function. Many people feel that total gram of protein in a product is the most important measurement of protein in a product. However, the total grams of protein in a product wont tell a consumer how much protein will reach the muscle.
The body must break down the protein that enters the body into amino acids before the body can use them. Protein bioavailability can be defined as the efficiency of breaking down the protein into amino acids that the body can use. If the protein have low bioavailability for an individual, the body will not be able to utilize all of the protein that is consumed, and it will not contribute to the individuals muscle growths.
How Your Body Absorbs and Uses Protein
The amino acid profile of the protein source can determine the quality of the protein that is consumed. The body need nine essential amino acid for various functions in the body. These amino acids must be in the correct ratio in the protein source for the body to function proper.
The proteins from animal sources contain all of an essential amino acids, which makes them a complete protein source. Plant proteins doesnt contain all of the essential amino acids. However, individuals can combine different type of plant proteins to ensure that they consume all of the essential amino acids.
For instance, rice and beans contains the essential amino acids in the proper ratio, which makes them a complete protein source when combine. Another factor in how protein work in the body is the speed at which the body absorbs the protein. There are various type of protein, and each type absorbs at a different rate.
For instance, the body absorbs whey isolate protein very quickly. Therefore, people use it after exercise to provide the muscles with the amino acids they need. The body absorbs casein protein slow because casein will clump together in the stomach.
The slow release of amino acids from casein makes it usable before sleep so the body can have a slow release of protein throughout the night. Altering the way that the protein is prepare can improve the way the body processes protein. Cooking protein will denature the proteins in the food.
Denaturation of the proteins will make them easier to be broken down by the digestive enzyme in the body. Cooked eggs will have more higher protein bioavailability than raw eggs because the heat denatured the proteins in the egg. Additionally, the body must remain hydrated when consuming protein because the digestive enzymes in the body need water to function proper.
If the body is dehydrated, the enzyme will not be able to perform there functions proper, and the body will not be able to break down the protein proper. The way that a person consume protein can also impact the way in which their body uses the protein. Many individuals feel that consuming a large amount of protein in one meal is the most effective way to ensure that the body utilize the protein.
The body is limited in how much protein it can absorb at one time. Consuming too much protein will cause the body to either use that protein as energy or excrete it as waste. To avoid this, individuals should of consume protein in four or five meal throughout the day.
As individuals age, the body may require different amount of protein due to a condition known as anabolic resistance. Anabolic resistance is when the bodys cell do not respond as readily to anabolic hormone, such as testosterone. Anabolic resistance causes individuals to require higher amount of specific amino acids to perform muscle-building function.
Anabolic resistance in individuals means that older individuals will require protein sources with high protein bioavailability. Therefore, when determining protein source, individuals should focus on the protein bioavailability and the amino acid profile of the protein source rather than only focusing on the total gram of protein the product contains.
