Question

What is "essential" in the context of nutrition and what does a "complete protein" mean in these context?

Answer 1

Essential nutrients are defined as nutrients that are obtained from the food as body cannot synthesize them to meet its physiological needs.

Amino acids are nitrogen-containing molecules that are the building blocks of proteins.

Essential amino acids means amino acids that cannot be produced by the body and must be obtained from food. Non essential amino acids are manufactured by the body.

A complete protein contains all the nine essential amino acids that cannot be produced by the body on its own. It should be incorporated through food.

Incomplete proteins do not contain all the essential amino acids in sufficient quantities.

Therefore, complete protein means contains all the nine essential amino acids that cannot be produced by the body.