Protein
By: Joshua Brown
What is protein?
Protein is the most abundant nutrient in the body that isn't water. They are in every organ and muscle in the body, and can make new blood cells. They repair damaged tissue and make muscles stronger. Protein is also used as fuel when carbohydrates and lipids are low.
Sources of Protein
Protein can be found in all kinds of different foods. Meat, milk products, eggs, and fish are sources of complete protein. Complete proteins have all 9 essential amino acids in the right amounts. Grains and cereals also provide protein, but not as much as the aforementioned foods.
Consequences of Not Getting Enough/Too Much Protein
When not enough energy is taken in, the body will use protein from the muscles to meet the energy requirements. This eventually becomes muscle wasting. One of the most dangerous results of too much protein is an increased chance of kidney disease. High animal protein intake can increase the chance of developing a kidney stone by 250%.
Acrostic Poem
Proteios is the Greek word that protein is derived from.
Researchers found that a certain protein mutation can increase the chance of autism.
Our bodies would swell without a protein called Albumin.
The lifespan of most proteins is 1-2 days.
Eggs contain the highest quality protein.
Insects have more protein in them than any other source.
Names for some proteins include Pikachurin and Sonic Hedgehog, clearly taken from pop culture character names.