Tuesday, January 13, 2026: 'Medicine and Food are of the Same Origin: About Protein'

It is sunny in Tokyo again today.
The morning low was -1.5°C, and the daytime high rose to over 16°C.
A strong wind like the first storm of spring was blowing today, but it is certainly warm when the daytime temperature reaches 16°C. Now then,

Yesterday I told you about "unused fish: threadfin bream", but today I would like to deliver a piece on "medicine and food are of the same origin - about protein" (I borrowed the opening image from here).

In the previous post, "medicine and food are of the same origin: about nutrients", I gave a simple overview of the so-called five major nutrients, but from this time on, I will talk about each one in a bit more detail.

The first one is protein.
When you hear the word protein, you might have a strong image of it being the building block of muscle, but its role is truly broad, and it is an "unsung hero" that supports the foundation of life activities.
Protein is a nutrient made of about 20 types of amino acids linked together like a chain, and it accounts for about 20% of the human body.
Specifically, it is related to almost all tissues in the human body, such as muscles, organs, skin, hair, nails, blood, hormones, and enzymes.
Therefore, if you fall into a protein deficiency, every function of your body will lack the necessary materials, and you won't even be able to function properly, making it a very important nutrient.

So, what are the roles that protein fulfills?
1. Builds the body's structure such as muscles, skin, hair, and nails
2. Hormones and enzymes are made from it
3. Supports immune function (since antibodies are also made of protein)
4. Becomes materials for blood such as hemoglobin
5. The human body consumes energy sources in the order of carbohydrates (sugars) -> lipids, but when these run low, it breaks down protein as a final emergency measure in times of crisis and uses amino acids as an energy source (this is apparently called gluconeogenesis).

What foods contain protein? (This is easy to understand if you look at the opening image)
Animal proteins are represented by meat, seafood, eggs, and dairy products.
Plant proteins are represented by grains, soy products, beans, and nuts.
Plant-based sources are attractive because they are low in fat and you can also consume dietary fiber and minerals at the same time.

So, what happens if you fall into a protein deficiency?
Decreased muscle mass, fatigue, weakened immunity, hair and skin problems, decreased concentration, etc.
If you are consuming protein properly, your body condition will be regulated, your metabolism will increase, and you will be able to maintain a good state where vitality naturally wells up.

However, there are some points to be careful about when consuming it.
It is not the case that you should just blindly consume the aforementioned foods.
Do not take a large amount at once but divide it into several times a day, do not rely only on meat high in fat, replenish the water necessary for metabolism at the same time, and consult a doctor if you have concerns about your kidneys.

Also, I think it is best to get protein from natural foods, but these days many people, especially athletes, consume protein and other (artificial?) proteins (in my case, I don't like artificial things like medicine or supplements, so I don't take protein powder).
While protein intake has advantages such as being easy and quick, low in fat, and allowing for pure protein intake, and being usable regardless of timing like after exercise, it also has disadvantages such as being prone to single-nutrient intake, the possibility of excessive intake, and being difficult to lead to meal satisfaction, so I think it is better to use it appropriately according to your purpose.

Well, I have talked about various things regarding protein, but I think that practicing the idea that medicine and food are of the same origin means consuming this nutrient, which is at the center of our daily accumulation, in a good way while being conscious of the role and characteristics of protein at the daily dining table.
Please, try to be conscious of it.
I also want to think about menus and ingredient selection while being properly conscious of this when I cook.

Tomorrow, I would like to write about "hygiene management and the three principles of food poisoning prevention".