Skin Care Blog Post - Why is Protein Important for Skin (and Tofu Recipe)

Protein is important for skin. You already know that. But why?

Every magazine and beauty blog stresses the importance of protein -- so much that you might as well rub steak on your face.

Okay, not so much. But the fact that protein is important for skin care is old news. Have you ever wondered why?

Oh, the Power of Amino Acids!

When you consume protein, it breaks into various amino acids during digestion. The amino acids will then rebuild body tissues.  

You see, tissues in your body break all the time, and need reconstruction. These tissues include hormones, anti bodies, blood cells, and other important entities that keep you alive. One of these tissues is collagen, the structural tissues that bind cells together, and makes skin elastic. In other words, the ampler your collagen, the younger you look.

As you can see, amino acids are not only important but also powerful -- and you get them from protein.

Essential Amino Acids

 

There are 22 types of amino acids, each with its own characteristics. However, only eight of them are absolutely essential for tissue repair and reconstruction. 

The essential amino acids come from poultry, meat, fish, eggs, milk products (like cheese or yogurt), and soy.

Speaking of Soy...

How about a delicious and easy tofu recipe to end this beauty blog post? Very few ingredients involved, and cooks in 10 minutes or less.

Step 1  

• Cut tofu into cubes. (I used organic tofu, by the way.)

• Dice onions. 

Step 2

• Pour tofu and onion into a mixing bowl. 

• Add a pinch of salt and pepper. 

• Add 2 tbsp of oyster sauce (see picture below).

 ** Note: if you do not have oyster sauce, substitute with teriyake sauce.

• Mix well.

Step 3

• Heat pan with 1 tbsp of oil.

• Pour mixture into pan.

• Cook on high and stir often.

Step 5

• Cook until tofu is golden and crispy on the outside.

Serve and enjoy!

 

        

  

Good for your tummy; good for your skin.