The amount of protein in the human body varies depending on factors like sex and body mass. On average, protein constitutes about 14-16% of a person's body weight. This translates to approximately 11 kg in men and 9 kg in women.
Breakdown of Protein Location
Total body protein (TBPro) isn't solely located in muscle. While a significant portion (~77%) is found within body cell mass (BCM), the remaining (~23%) resides in extracellular solids and extracellular fluid (ECF).
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Muscle: Human muscle contains approximately 19.7% protein [Source: Reddit r/askscience]. This percentage helps to understand the significant contribution of muscle mass to the overall body protein content.
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Other Tissues: Protein is a fundamental component of numerous tissues, including organs, skin, and hair.
Daily Protein Requirements vs. Total Body Protein
It's crucial to distinguish between the total amount of protein in the body and the daily protein requirements. The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein is considerably lower than the total body protein amount. The RDA is roughly 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight [Source: Harvard Health]. This recommendation addresses daily needs for maintenance and repair, not the overall protein content already present within the body.
The information provided above uses several sources that establish the total body protein content, ranging from 11 kg to 9 kg for men and women, respectively. These figures highlight a considerable amount of protein in the human body. It's important to note that these values are estimates, and individual variation exists due to differences in body composition.
