My friend Glenn from Monterey, California, asked a question not as easy to answer as one might think: “How much protein does someone my age need?”
Well, Glenn, that depends on a lot of factors. Besides your age, protein requirements vary widely based on one’s sex, exercise level and physical health. When we are sick or injured, for example, we may need more protein to heal. But some people with kidney disease may need to restrict protein to prevent further kidney damage.
Why is protein so important? It is the foundation of every cell in the body. With just a few types of building blocks called amino acids, our bodies manufacture thousands of specific proteins to regenerate our skin, muscles and immune system. Even our bones rely on protein to maintain strength.
