Protein is one of the three macronutrients that are necessary for health. However, you can’t benefit from eating protein if you can’t break it down. If you’re having difficulty digesting protein, it’s helpful to learn what the breakdown process looks like and how to promote it.

Protein breaks down in the stomach, the site of digestion. Certain enzymes are responsible for splitting protein into smaller chains of amino acids, which can then synthesize to support the proper bodily function. Some people, like cystic fibrosis patients, can have difficulty breaking down protein due to absorption issues. A healthy meal replacement shake can enhance absorption and hasten digestion, helping your body break down protein.

Our ENU Nutritional Shakes are fortified with 20 grams of whey protein and four grams of medium-chain triglycerides, improving the nutrient absorption. Our shakes contain the essential amino acids necessary for muscle growth and other nutrients to support health. To buy ENU Nutritional Shakes with protein, visit our website today.

What Breaks Down Protein in the Body?

Protein is a vital macronutrient that is crucial in any healthy diet. It promotes muscle growth, cell production, and other important processes. Think of protein like a house that contains essential amino acids. When protein is broken down and the walls come down, the amino acids are released and can support several bodily functions. But how does this happen?

When you eat proteins, they end up in your stomach. There, pepsin and hydrochloric acid begin to break down proteins into smaller pieces. These pieces are the essential amino acids that makeup protein. Protein itself is simply a collection of important amino acids. After the proteins are broken down, the remaining amino acids are either sent to the appropriate areas of the body or reserved if the body needs to produce more proteins in the future.

Each person’s body breaks down proteins with varying levels of efficiency. Because the breakdown of protein happens in the stomach and requires enzymes, it is involved in the digestion process. Depending on the foods you eat, breaking down protein can take a long time. If your stomach doesn’t have enough of the necessary enzymes or you have an absorption disorder, it can be harder for your body to break down protein. Enhancing absorption with the right dietary supplements, like ENU Nutritional Shakes with protein, can help your body access the amino acids that make up proteins.

After stomach enzymes break down proteins, the remaining amino acids can begin to synthesize new proteins specific to certain bodily processes. Protein synthesis leads to muscle growth, which is why the breakdown process is so necessary. Proteins are essentially taken apart and put back together in a new, specific way.

Why Is It Important to Break Down Protein?

Breaking down protein is important for many reasons. Protein is a powerful nutrient that has several responsibilities in the body. Without the ability to break down protein, your body can’t benefit from consuming it. If you can’t break down protein, you might notice several health issues, like muscle loss and malnourishment.

Protein is one of the main nutrients your body needs to remain healthy. When your body can’t break it down, that’s a problem. It can lead to substantial weight loss and loss of muscle. Inability to break down protein can cause hair loss and fatigue as well. Fixing the problem is important, but let’s dive deeper into why that is.

Some proteins called complete proteins contain all of the nine essential amino acids. Among these is an amino acid called leucine. Leucine has an uncanny ability to promote protein synthesis and cause muscle growth. However, your body can’t reap the benefits of leucine if proteins aren’t broken down. For you to see the effects of leucine, it has to be unleashed, so to speak. Although leucine is part of the amino acids that make up proteins, it cannot be used unless they are broken down.

Let’s return to the house metaphor: you can’t get inside without the key. Pepsin and hydrochloric acids are the keys to breaking down protein and accessing the essential amino acids inside, like leucine. Without enough stomach enzymes to break down the door, protein is almost useless to your body.

Sometimes, the inability to digest protein comes from gastrointestinal disorders or medical issues. For example, cystic fibrosis (CF) patients have difficulty digesting and absorbing nutrients. A thick substance in the stomach and intestines can prevent the proper enzymes from reaching nutrients like protein. Drinking ENU Nutritional Shakes with protein can enhance absorption and digestion in CF patients, allowing their bodies to break down protein and use the amino acids that it is made of.

How Can I Get My Body to Break Down Protein Faster?

Your body can’t learn how to better break down protein on its own. After all, this issue is likely due to a lack of certain enzymes or absorption problems. If you can’t break down protein, it can’t be synthesized. So, how can you give your body what it needs to break down protein more efficiently?

Focus on eating complete proteins, especially if you have absorption issues. Complete proteins contain all nine essential amino acids, including leucine. Eating a lot of complete proteins can give you a better chance of breaking some down. Eating throughout the day can help, too. Chew your foods thoroughly and look for ways to enhance absorption, liking eating more acidic foods. You might have to start taking enzyme supplements if your doctor suggests it.

For CF patients specifically, breaking down protein can seem impossible. The 20 grams of protein in ENU Nutritional Shakes can help on that front. Whey protein is one of the easiest proteins to digest, making it the ideal protein source for CF patients. In addition to containing a protein that’s easy on the stomach, ENU Nutritional Shakes also have an added four grams of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT’s) per serving. MCT’s can enhance absorption, making it easier for your body to digest and break down proteins.

Drink ENU Nutritional Shakes to Help Break Down Protein

Drinking the right protein shake can promote absorption, helping your body break down protein and allowing you to benefit from it. Visit our website to buy ENU Nutritional Shakes with protein today.