Proteins
By: Miah Smith
What about proteins?
Proteins supply energy to the body. They are needed to build new cells and repair injured ones. Amino acids are chemical compounds that have functions in the body. They're 20 amino acids found in food and of those 20, 9 are essential for good nutrition. When a food contains all 9 essential amino acid it is considered a complete protein. Incomplete proteins lack one essential amino acids. Complementary are two or more incomplete protein sources that together provide adequate amounts of essential amino acids.
9 Essential Amino Acids
- Histidine Alanine
- Isoleucine Arginine
- Leucine Asparagine
- Lysine Aspartic acid
- Methionine Cysteine
- Phenylalanine Glutamic acid
- Threonine Glutamine
- Tryptophan Glycine
- Valine Proline
Functions of protein in your body
Protein is considered a macronutrient, which means that your body needs it in large amounts every day to function properly. When you eat protein, your body breaks it down into amino acids that are used for several purposes.Your immune system relies heavily on proteins. When your body is exposed to potentially harmful substances, such as bacteria or a virus, your immune system sends out proteins called antibodies. These antibodies seek out and attack the virus or bacterium in an attempt to neutralize it and prevent it from multiplying and causing illness.
How you feel when you dont get enough protein
When you don't get enough protein your muscles are very weak and you don't have a lot of energy to do things. Your body is not going to be able to repair new cells properly. If you need to see how much protein you should get daily take how much you weigh and multiply that by 0.4.
TOO MUCH PROTEIN!
This can lead to the buildup of toxic ketones, substances made when the body that uses its own fat cells for fuel in the absence of sufficient carbohydrates. Ketones can harm the kidneys as they try to excrete these substances. This is accompanied by a corresponding loss of water through the kidneys, leading to dehydration. Symptoms of consuming a ketogenic diet can include fatigue, headache, dizziness, heart palpitations, and bad breath. There is excess stress on the heart, and muscle mass and bone calcium both decline.
Interesting facts about proteins
- Pumpkin and squash seeds provide 33 grams of protein per 100-gram serving.
- The lifespan of most proteins totals two days or less.
- Without a protein called Albumin, the entire human body would swell.
- The protein in eggs is the highest quality of protein found in any food.
- Proteins found in certain foods are often the cause of allergies because the structure of a protein may trigger an immune response.
Acrostic Poem
Predominantly amino acids are made up of proteins.
Reducing the amount of proteins you take in can better your life/ body.
Over 90% of your body is made up of proteins
Too much of this is not good for you.
Eggs are a huge source of this.
Insufficient amount of proteins can have you feeling weak.
Nutrients are the topic of proteins.
Some proteins can cause allergies.
Exapmles of protein funtions
Antibody
Antibodies bind to specific foreign particles, such as viruses and bacteria, to help protect the body.
Enzyme
Enzymes carry out almost all of the thousands of chemical reactions that take place in cells. They also assist with the formation of new molecules by reading the genetic information stored in DNA.Phenylalanine hydroxylase
Messenger
Messenger proteins, such as some types of hormones, transmit signals to coordinate biological processes between different cells, tissues, and organs.Growth hormone
Structural component
These proteins provide structure and support for cells. On a larger scale, they also allow the body to move.Actin
Transport/storage
These proteins bind and carry atoms and small molecules within cells and throughout the body.Ferritin
Citations
- c “How Our Bodies Use Protein.” BodyBuilding Pro. 2012. Accessed: October 23, 2012
- United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Nutrition for Everyone: Protein." Oct. 4, 2012. http://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/everyone/basics/protein.html.
- National Library of Medicine (US). Genetics Home Reference [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): The Library; 2013 Sep 16 [cited 2013 Sep 19]. Available from: http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/.