If you were to ask people around you what they know about proteins, you'd probably find that most rely on their basic school biology knowledge. But when it comes to understanding how diseases develop, there’s a lot more we should know.

Proteins Are the Building Blocks of Our Body

It may sound unbelievable, but our cells are constantly at work, either creating proteins or breaking them down to make new ones. Essentially, they function as protein processing plants, running 24/7.

And it’s not just about building muscles, as many believe. In fact, billions of proteins are produced every second, with over tens of thousands of different types!

So, What Exactly Are Proteins Made of?

This is probably another question your friends might not be able to answer accurately—but feel free to test it out. Somewhere around high school, we learned that proteins are built from amino acids.

There are simpler proteins made entirely of amino acids, and others that include additional molecules like fats, carbohydrates, or even metals. Simply put, there’s no protein without amino acids, but not all proteins are made solely of amino acids.

What Do We Need Proteins for?

When we talk about proteins, muscles usually come to mind, probably thanks to bodybuilders popularizing the idea that proteins are essential for muscle growth. However, our muscles aren't even the most important protein-rich or protein-demanding part of our body—if we can even rank them in importance. To give you an idea of how complex this is, here are just a few types of human proteins, all of which play crucial roles in keeping our bodies functioning:

• Transport proteins, like hemoglobin, carry oxygen from your lungs to even the most distant cells in your body. Then there’s albumin, the body’s official delivery driver—whatever it picks up (be it vitamins, hormones, or enzymes), it ensures it gets to where it’s supposed to go. These proteins are essential for the exchange of substances between organs, and without them, your body’s coordination suffers.

• Hormones, like insulin and thyroxine, regulate your metabolism, and any disruption in their production can cause chaos. Think about sex hormones and adrenaline too—without them, we’d react like houseplants if someone tried to attack us!

  
  

• Enzymes, like pepsin and trypsin, are responsible for breaking down proteins in the stomach (pepsin) and the small intestine (trypsin). The end product of this process is the amino acids that later go on to form new proteins. If your enzyme production is lacking, it disrupts protein digestion and traps your body in a vicious cycle.

• Antibodies, tasked with recognizing and neutralizing foreign invaders like bacteria and viruses during an infection, are another key player. Known as immunoglobulins, these proteins are vital to your immune response—but they only work well if your amino acid intake is sufficient. A lack of amino acids might explain a weak immune response when you’re sick.

• Other defense proteins, like thrombin and fibrin, make blood clot to close wounds. Without enough of these, your body heals more slowly.

• Structural proteins, such as collagen and elastin, help maintain the integrity of tissues. Their reduction or absence manifests in visible signs of aging—sagging skin, brittle hair, and weak nails. Internally, they keep your blood vessels flexible and your lung tissues pliable.

• Perhaps the best-known are motor proteins. Actin and myosin work together to build muscle and enable contraction.

And that’s just a handful out of the thousands of different proteins in your body! All these processes depend on having enough nutrients—especially proteins and amino acids—to keep them running smoothly.

What Happens If Your Diet Doesn’t Provide the Amount of Protein Your Body Really Needs?

If the vital proteins in your body can’t be created or renewed, it usually boils down to three main reasons:

1. You’re not getting enough protein.

2. Your body can’t properly digest the protein you’re consuming.

3. The protein you are eating doesn’t contain enough of the right amino acids.

Many people blame genetics for their chronic health issues and simply accept it as something they can’t change. They turn to medication as an easier solution, whether it’s for blood sugar problems, high blood pressure, or hormonal imbalances (like thyroid issues or estrogen/progesterone disruptions).

As mentioned earlier, your body needs protein—more specifically, amino acids—for a wide range of functions. So, if you’re not giving your body the ideal amount of essential nutrients, it won’t be able to function optimally. Instead of just treating symptoms, it’s more effective to address the root cause of the problem.

So, What's the Solution?

There’s no universal fix, but if an illness is clearly caused by a lack of certain nutrients—meaning you're not getting enough of something—then restoring those nutrients can significantly help.

That being said, don’t assume that switching to a meat-heavy diet overnight or making ten-egg omelettes every morning is going to magically fix everything that’s wrong. But addressing a nutrient deficiency is definitely a crucial first step.

As we age, it’s no surprise that a healthy diet and lifestyle take center stage, both physically and mentally. Years of stress, unresolved traumas, the fast-paced nature of life, and poor eating habits eventually catch up with us.From the list above, it’s clear that most issues don’t have just one cause. That’s why there’s no quick fix or natural remedy that will instantly make a problem disappear.

"Any lifestyle or dietary change that leads to improvement is worth sticking with. If you think you’re eating too many sugary foods, cut back. If you feel like you need to lose a few extra pounds, take action and see what changes. If you’re not moving enough, start incorporating regular exercise, and you might find it revives you. And if these changes make you feel better in your own skin, then you’re on the right track. Change always starts with something small. Then another. And another. Until eventually, you’ve taken control of your life."

How Can We Get the Right Nutrients?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here because everyone’s needs are different. But one thing is certain: it would be much better if we all ate healthier food. Unfortunately, mass-produced animal products and agriculture don’t always provide us with that. Ideally, we’d be sourcing our food from organic farms, free of preservatives, and rich in high-quality proteins. But that’s easier said than done.

Or imagine if everyone paid close attention to balanced eating based on their lifestyle. Most importantly, what if everyone prioritized their health and paid attention to their body’s signals, making changes as needed?

We know that every person has their own unique story. Some have faced tougher paths, with less patience, care, or love in their lives.

“We believe that it’s never too late to change and make a difference.”

Take a look at how amino acids could benefit you—give Amino Primo a try!