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The human body needs amino acids to repair and replace cells, with nine essential ones that must come from external sources. Complete proteins contain all nine, while incomplete ones lack at least one. Complementary proteins can be combined to form a complete protein, and a balanced diet is necessary for proper amino acid intake.
Every day the human body repairs or replaces damaged and dead cells. To do this, the body needs to make different proteins from amino acids. Some amino acids can be made by the body, while others must be imported through an external food source. A complete protein is a food source that provides the body with all the amino acids it needs to function. In contrast, an incomplete protein is a food source that does not have all of the essential amino acids.
There are about twenty amino acids that the body needs to create the various proteins it requires. Of the twenty, an adult human can make all but nine. These nine essential amino acids include histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine. Without these substances, the body may have a hard time repairing itself. Since they cannot be manufactured by the body, these nine must come from an external food source.
Since they are so essential to human function, the proper amount of essential amino acids must be consumed every day. If a food source has all nine amino acids, it is called a complete protein. If it is missing one or more of the nine essential amino acids, it is an incomplete protein. Plant proteins are commonly classified as an incomplete protein. However, different types of plant proteins can be combined to form a complete protein.
Complementary proteins are two or more incomplete proteins from different food sources that are combined to form a complete protein. While one food may be lacking in a certain amino acid, another may have it in abundance. For example, many beans are high in protein, but are still considered incomplete proteins. However, combining it with rice creates a complete protein because what was lacking in the beans is supplied by the rice. This is another reason why it is generally wise to eat a variety of foods on a daily basis.
While plants often contain incomplete proteins and animals complete proteins, this is not always the case. There are some plants that have complete proteins and some animal sources that do not. For example, soybeans and products made from them are generally complete proteins. Gelatin, on the other hand, comes from an animal but is an incomplete protein. A balanced diet will generally provide all the necessary essential amino acids.
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