Protein Article For Nutrition

Week 5: Protein Article Research

Proteins are the building blocks for the body and are made up of amino acids. Our body can produce only nine of the 20 amino acids our body requires. The body digests the food we eat and breaks down the protein into amino acids so they can be absorbed into the bodies' reserve of amino acids. Because the body needs 9 essential amino acids formed by combining the 20 amino acids if there is a shortage or non-existents of any one amino acids the body can not substitute on for another so it does not make that amino acid. Protein provides numerous things for the body to include, building muscle, hormones, transportation of nutrients, oxygen and waste throughout the body. The proteins are used as energy by the body when carbohydrates are unavailable. Proteins also provide collagen to tissues of the body, hair, skin and hair.

There are two kinds of proteins, and they are complete and incomplete proteins. A complete protein comes from animal meat and milk, and is called complete because they contain all the essential amino acids the body requires. Incomplete proteins are called incomplete because they do not contain all the essential amino acids. Most plant foods are incomplete proteins by themselves but when combined may become complete proteins. There are many food items high in complete protein to include Meat, fish, poultry, eggs and dairy also Tofu or soy. Some sources of incomplete proteins include plants, grains, fruits, nuts and vegetables but when eaten together may become complete protein.

The risk of overconsumption of protein includes weight gain because our body does not store protein and converts it to fat and store it. Excessive protein may lead to dehydration, loss of urinary calcium and may lead to osteoporosis. ( Bryant, 1999).

The risk associated with a protein deficiency are loss of muscle mass and a weakened heart (a muscle also) this is because our body