ANOOS,RICA AINE A.

Protein

is one of the basic building blocks of the human body, making up about 16 percent of our total body weight. However, protein plays a major role in all of the cells and most of the fluids in our bodies.

Although

our bodies are good at recycling protein, we use up protein constantly, so it is important to continually replace it

Protein should account for 10% to 20% of the calories consumed each day.
is essential to the structure of red blood cells, for the proper functioning of antibodies resisting infection, for the regulation of enzymes and hormones, for growth, and for the repair of body tissue.

Protein

Building

of new cells of existing

Maintenance

cells

Replacement

of old cells

Proteins

are very important molecules in our cells. They are involved in virtually all cell functions. Each protein within the body has a specific function.

Antibodies - are specialized proteins involved in defending the body from antigens (foreign invaders). One way antibodies destroy antigens is by immobilizing them so that they can be destroyed by white blood cells. Contractile Proteins - are responsible for movement. Examples include actin and myosin. These proteins are involved in muscle contraction and movement.

 Enzymes

- are proteins that facilitate biochemical reactions. They are often referred to as catalysts because they speed up chemical reactions. Examples include the enzymes lactase and pepsin. Lactase breaks down the sugar lactose found in milk. Pepsin is a digestive enzyme that works in the stomach to break down proteins in food.

 Hormonal

Proteins - are messenger proteins which help to coordinate certain bodily activities. Examples include insulin, oxytocin, and somatotropin. Insulin regulates glucose metabolism by controlling the blood-sugar concentration. Oxytocin stimulates contractions in females during childbirth. Somatotropin is a growth hormone that stimulates protein production in muscle cells.

Structural Proteins - are fibrous and stringy and provide support. Examples include keratin, collagen, and elastin. Keratins strengthen protective coverings such as hair, quills, feathers, horns, and beaks. Collagens and elastin provide support for connective tissues such as tendons and ligaments. Storage Proteins - store amino acids. Examples include ovalbumin and casein. Ovalbumin is found in egg whites and casein is a milk-based protein. .

 Transport

Proteins - are carrier proteins which move molecules from one place to another around the body. Examples include hemoglobin and cytochromes. Hemoglobin transports oxygen through the blood. Cytochromes operate in the electron transport chain as electron carrier proteins

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein and are found in a variety of foods. Meat, milk, cheese, and egg are complete proteins that have all the essential amino acids. Other sources of protein include whole grains, rice, corn, beans, legumes, oatmeal, peas, and peanut butter. For vegetarians, vegans and/or those who do not eat meat, fish, eggs, or dairy products, it is important to eat a variety of these other foods in order to get enough protein.

Without protein our body cannot function properly. Our body nerves, tissues, bones all are made up of proteins. So proteins become very necessary for them to grow and repair. It also used to produce some hormones and enzymes in our body .proteins are made up of amino acids. Our body produces non essential amino acids and also requires the essential amino acids which we take from the food. Amino acids are present in the proteins.

 It

has been proved by the physicists that nearly 98% of our body atoms get replaced in a year. After every six months liver replaces its cells and stomach lining in five days. We get entirely new skeleton in three weeks. And also old blood cells are replaced by new one. So for all this purpose of growth and repairing proteins are essentially required in our body.

 Almost

every cell present in our body is replaced after a particular time period. So from now be careful about your diet if you are not. When you eat, food breaks the proteins present into amino acids which are again reassembled to regulate all the above mentioned functions.

Like the structural steel of buildings and the metal meshwork in concrete, proteins provide the framework for every cell of the body. Just as workers at a construction site need a steady supply of building materials, tissues undergoing repair and those that are growing need a steady supply of protein to build and rebuild organs, muscles, antibodies, hormones, and enzymes - every kind of cell in the body. At eight months or eighty years, bodies need protein.

 Protein

is a reasonably worry-free food. Unlike fat or sugar, it's nearly impossible to overdose on proteins, especially in children's diets. And for most Americans, getting enough protein is not a problem. Also, unlike with fats and carbs, there's no such food as an unhealthy protein.

Another

function of protein is that it produces antibodies which fight with the bacteria, viruses, toxins and many foreign substances that are harmful for the body. Moreover when you are injected by cold, flu etc. it helps in the cellular healing process.

 Mostly

people think that the animal meat is a good source of proteins no doubt it is but milk, cheese, eggs, are also rich in proteins. Plant proteins are not complete proteins such as grains, cereals etc. so it is required to have more complete source of protein. Some of the protein is also used with these foods that are stored earlier in our body.

 Our

protein needs depend on our age, size, and activity level. The standard method used by nutritionists to estimate our minimum daily protein requirement is to multiply the body weight in kilograms by .8, or weight in pounds by .37. This is the number of grams of protein that should be the daily minimum. According to this method, a person weighing 150 lbs. should eat 55 grams of protein per day, a 200pound person should get 74 grams, and a 250-pound person should eat 92 grams.

 Unlike

fat and glucose, our body has little capacity to store protein. If we were to stop eating protein, our body would start to break down muscle for its needs within a day or so.