Protein: Our Body's Zone Managers

             Proteins are responsible for keeping your body maintained. I would consider proteins to fulfil managerial positions that are very hands on in keeping departments running smoothly and keep to keep the body on task with it's overall functions.

       Visualizing the people I believe proteins would be I find my mind conjured images of neatly dressed, well-kept men and women with firm,toned physiques. Much like management, Proteins carry around a clip board filled with various tasks ranked by priorities with the intent to complete the entire list before the end of their shift. The protein staff includes essential and nonessential amino acids. Your body, for the most part, keeps most tasks running without much maintenence, these are performed by the nonessential amino acids that are produced and not consumed. Our managerial staff is responsible for providing the essential amino acids.

              Protein wants to ensure that bone and muscles stay strong! Lysine is an amino acid that you need to assist in calcium absorption, building muscle, and recovering from injuries (also said to help fight cold sores). Lysine is the maintainence man. Foods with Lysine include catfish,chicken, beef, soybean, lentils, milk, egg, chickpea(hummus). Also Allysine, a derivative of lysine, is used for the production of elastin and collegen. These are the things that will keep your skin from sagging from weight loss and hopefully keep you perky til old age.
   Tryptophan is also a protein that we may have heard of. Most people seek out this amino acid when they are trying to get more restful sleep, as it increases levels of serotonin. However, it necessary to our bodies because it keeps our chemistry balanced preventing things like seasonal affective disorder(the winter and rainy day blues) and  premenstrual dysphoric disorder (horrible periods). You can find this not only in the Thanksgiving turkey but any other poultry, as well as eggs, seeds, fish, and bananas!
  
        There are other amino acids that used by our cells to synthesize proteins, and added together they have the power to keep our bodies working like well oiled machines. Your blood, muscles, and tissues all need Protein to stay strong. These proteins are the team that will clean up a wound, fight an infection, and help our us keep our hormones under control. Body builders who take in alot of protein may have problems keeping their hormone levels in check.
    If you eat too much protein you will be at risk for high cholesterol,gout, or kidney problems. This is basically because of "overcrowding" if you will...it's like having too many cooks in the kitchen! Protein is durable and breaking down excess proteins can put a toll on the body.