Let's bust a myth right here - consuming protein won't make you bulletproof. But it does play a hell of a supporting role in your body, from building and repairing cells to supporting physical growth and muscle development. Once you've stuffed your face with a juicy steak or a nutty tofu stir-fry, it takes your body a good seven to eight hours to break it down and put it to use.

Except, of course, when it doesn't. Turns out the digestion and absorption of dietary protein can be influenced by several health and physical factors. And no, we're not about to get into those boring, complicated specifics. That's what Google was made for.

Here's the lowdown - protein in your food isn’t the same thing as the protein in your body. It has to go through a damn long journey, with multiple stages. It goes from being broken down by enzymes in your digestive system into amino acids to being dumped into your blood and shuttled to your liver. From there, it's all about growth, development, and repair. And yes, protein touches everything. From your pretty looking skin to your bulging muscles and immunity - protein’s the unsung hero.

Yet, here's another myth-buster - your body doesn't have the capacity to store amino acids from protein. So what's the protocol when you overload on protein? It gets unsentimentally converted into fats like ketones or glucose. So the next time your over-enthusiastic gym buddy tells you to chug down a protein shake, remember, at the end of the day, your extra protein may just end up as fat.

Right. You're thinking, how much protein is enough? If you live in the United States, some pin-striped suit in health authorities suggests that adults should get 0.8 grams (g) of protein for every 2.2 pounds of their body weight each day. But hey, these numbers aren't set in stone or anything. A lot depends on your individual health, level of physical activity, and health objectives.

But before you decide to inject protein shakes into your veins, keep in mind - excess protein consumption isn't a picnic either. It could invite a whole host of health concerns. So it's not just about how much you eat, but how well you balance it.

Consider this your protein-based reality check. Now go ahead, share this knowledge nugget and let's spread the gospel of sensible protein consumption.