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Feb 10, 2021

How to boost your immunity with Protein?

Story By Threptin

Protein-Rich Foods That Boost Immunity

Protein—the one nutrient that gym-goers love and are always willing to consume. It is also a nutrient that needs no introduction and is a macronutrient essential for your diet.

Most immune mechanisms depend on the production of active protein compounds or cell replication. Immunoglobulins, or antibodies, are formed with the help of proteins, which help fight infections. Immune system function decreases in cases of protein deficiency.

There are hundreds of sources to fulfil your protein gap—from various supplements to protein bars—allowing you to meet your protein nutrition needs. There are also a range of high-protein snacks and diets, such as the Atkins diet, that focus on increasing protein intake.

But why the hype about protein, and what are the benefits for your body?

Along with carbohydrates and fats, proteins play an important role in our body and help boost immunity. Proteins are made from building blocks, which can be broken down and rearranged in different ways.

Most of the important areas of our body—namely muscles, skin, organs, tissues, and bones—consist of proteins and amino acids. When we consume protein, it is broken down into individual amino acids during digestion. Our body then uses these amino acids to create new proteins where required. However, not consuming enough protein forces the body to extract it from existing protein stores, eventually leading to muscle breakdown over time.

Benefits of Protein for the Body

1.Boosts your immune system

Protein plays a crucial role in the body. Along with building and repairing tissues, it helps fight bacterial and viral infections. The immune system’s powerhouses—antibodies and immune cells—depend on protein to remain healthy. A lack of protein leads to weaker immunity, fatigue, and symptoms of weakness.

2.Protein for kids

Protein is just as important for children as it is for adults. Protein requirements in children depend on age. Additional benefits include immune support, improved energy levels, and enhanced hemoglobin levels. When carbohydrates are insufficient, the body turns to protein for energy. Since protein plays a major role in growth and development, it is essential to ensure children consume adequate high-protein snacks. Threptin protein diskettes help fill the protein gap in a child’s nutrition.

3.Builds muscle mass and strength

Protein is the building block of muscles and promotes muscle growth. However, it is important not to exceed the recommended intake. As adults age, maintaining a proper diet and regular exercise becomes crucial due to inevitable muscle loss. Adequate protein intake helps maintain muscle mass, and high-protein snacks such as Threptin protein diskettes add nutritional value to the diet.

How much protein is enough for our bodies?

A common myth suggests that consuming more protein builds more muscle. While consuming high-protein foods aids muscle development, exercise remains essential for muscle building.

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) suggested by the ICMR for Indians is 0.8 to 1 g per kg of body weight per day (Source). This is sufficient to meet the body’s nutritional requirements. Protein needs increase for infants, growing children, pregnant women, and individuals with illnesses, as the body requires more protein to meet additional demands.

However, it is often difficult to meet daily protein needs through food alone. Healthy protein snacks and protein diskettes like Threptin protein diskettes help boost immunity, fill protein gaps, and can be consumed 3 to 5 times a day.

Why is casein protein important for the body?

Threptin diskettes are made with casein protein. Casein is the major protein in milk, constituting approximately 80% of total milk protein and serving as a principal source of amino acids.

The immune system uses amino acids as fuel, either directly or after conversion into other amino acids. Amino acids play a key role in regulating immune responses. Deficiencies in specific amino acids can decrease immune function and increase susceptibility to infections. Casein proteins and their fragments regulate immune responses and function as antiviral and immune-regulatory agents. Casein phosphopeptides can enhance mucosal immunity and host defence. K-casein and α-lactalbumin are also used in immunotherapy for human immunodeficiency virus infections.

Sources of protein

India is largely a vegetarian country, but proteins are available in both vegetarian and non-vegetarian foods. Making the right dietary choices is essential. Here are some excellent protein sources:

1.Chickpeas (chhole chana)
These vegetarian pulses are high-protein snacks or meals and can be consumed as boiled chana, salads, or hummus with pita bread or boiled eggs.
Protein: 7.3 gm per 1/2 cup serving

2.Kidney beans (Rajma)
Rajma and chawal are popular across India. They are rich in protein, carbohydrates, and fibre, and can be eaten as salads, curries, or in Mexican-style dishes.
Protein:7.5 gm per 1/2 cup serving

3.Cottage cheese (paneer)
Paneer is rich in casein protein and digests slowly. It also provides calcium and keeps you full longer. Add it to salads or palak-paneer dishes.
Protein:14 g per ½ cup serving

4.Healthy Nuts
Nuts are among the healthiest protein sources and can be consumed anytime. Adding walnuts, peanuts, pistachios, or almonds to a child’s tiffin boosts protein intake.

5.Egg Whites
Cooked egg whites are a rich protein source and work well for breakfast or post-workout meals. A whole egg contains 6 g of protein.

6.Chicken breast
Skinless chicken breast contains approximately 54 g of protein. It can be grilled or added to salads. Other chicken cuts also provide sufficient protein.

Meeting high protein needs through food alone may be challenging. High-protein snacks like Threptin protein diskettes help bridge this gap. Four to five diskettes can be consumed 3 to 5 times a day for optimal results.

Conclusion

Healthy protein snacks and a balanced protein-rich diet are essential for proper growth and immune support for the entire family. Protein needs can be met through both plant and animal sources. Adding protein supplements such as Threptin protein diskettes can help boost immunity and fulfil daily protein requirements effectively.