Referred to as the building blocks of the body, proteins are large, complex molecules that are necessary for proper structure, function and regulation of the body’s tissues and organs.

Proteins are made up of huge chains of smaller units called amino acids. There are 20 different types of amino acids (classified into two different amino acid groups: Essential amino acids and Non-essential amino acids) that can be combined to make a protein.

Dietary protein is found in foods like beans, dairy products, eggs, fish, meat, nuts, poultry and tofu.