Pea protein powder is not a complete protein on its own, meaning it does not contain all of the essential amino acids in sufficient amounts. Specifically, pea protein is low in the essential amino acids methionine and cysteine. To make up for these deficiencies, pea protein can be combined with other protein sources such as brown rice protein or hemp protein, which contain complementary amino acid profiles. This way, a complete amino acid profile can be achieved, providing all of the essential amino acids needed for optimal health and function.