First of all, animal protein (meat, fish, eggs, chicken, game, lamb, pork etc) is what is known as ‘complete protein’ as it contains all the crucial building blocks we need. Plant protein on the other hand lacks some of the vital building blocks or amino acids needed by the body for the essential process of building and repair. Protein is vital to health as it does just that – it builds and it repairs, constantly. Protein also forms antibodies to fight infection, and prevents muscle wasting. Here are some of the wonderful things animal protein like a juicy piece of steak has to offer, apart from the protein component itself:
Healthy Fat: Contrary to popular opinion, animal fat is a stable, and nutritious fat. It supplies energy to the body, protecting and insulating our body parts while nourishing the skin and promoting normal growth at every age. Vitamins such as our fat-soluble vitamins are transported and absorbed by this fat, and animal fat itself supplies essential fatty acids. Never be afraid again of that gorgeous, juicy piece of fat on your steak or lamb chop! Eat it, revel in it and relish it. Here are some things animal fat does for you:
Fat: Gives lots of energy, protects and insulates the body parts, nourishes your skin, promotes normal growth, transports fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K and supplies essential fatty acids.
Vitamins: Animal protein is packed with vitamins too!
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin): Used for building and repairing nerves and muscles, maintaining normal appetite and helps to release energy from carbohydrates eaten
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): Releases energy from protein, maintains the nervous system, builds and repairs body tissue and preserves healthy skin and eyes.
Vitamin B3 (Niacin): Helps to maintain healthy skin, protects the nervous system and prevents anxiety, maintains the health of the digestive tract and releases energy from foods.
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid): As with some of the other B’s, releases the energy from foods, and forms hormones, cholesterol and haemoglobin for blood
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine): Energy is released from the protein through this vitamin, it helps to transport the individual amino acids around the body and helps to form Niacin (vitamin B3), it also greatly assists the functioning of the nervous system.
Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin): This is an essential nutrient for dozens of reasons, a few being to maintain red blood cells, ensure healthy nerve tissue, produces genetic material and support cell function and metabolism. It also plays a vital neurological role.
Iron: which builds haemoglobin in red blood cells. Animal protein has heme-iron, not available in the plant kingdom. It prevents anaemia and produces energy.
Zinc: enhances and protects your bones, improves resistance to infection, is a factor in providing healthy stomach acid, helps form hormones and enzymes, develops and maintains immune system
Lots more – but this is enough to go on with!