The Power of Proteins

Proteins make up the third, and last, energy source our bodies need to function. Only carbohydrates, fats and proteins can provide calories (energy) for your body to do all of the biochemical operations that it needs to do.

Proteins are made up of smaller units called amino acids.  Like the other molecules we've discussed, these amino acids are strung together in different ways to form the proteins we find in foods such as meat, eggs, poultry, seafood, dairy products and legumes. Like other chemicals in the body, amino acids can rotate light. While this is not important in a general knowledge sort of way (unless you're looking for a good cocktail trivia question), it is to our bodies. Only the l- amino acids are bio-active, whereas the d-amino acids cannot be used by our bodies at all.

Life would be impossible without protein.

Protein is necessary, whether it is in simple or complex form, for relaying messages in the nervous system and brain; balancing fluid; absorbing nutrients from the gut; producing such things as enzymes, hormones, connective tissue, muscles, antibodies and growth factors; and other metabolic products too numerous to list here. They participate in virtually every process in every cell of the body.

Unlike fats and carbohydrates, protein is not stored in the body so you must eat enough of it every day to meet your body's demands. Digestion breaks protein down into its individual amino acids, which can be used to construct the necessary components for your health or to produce glucose for energy if no other source is available. One of the products is insulin, needed for proper carbohydrate and fat handling.

Like fats, there are essential amino acids which humans must obtain from their diets. A few of these are lysine, methionine, and threonine because our bodies lack an enzyme called aspartokinase which would make these from aspartate. There are eleven essential amino acids in all.

It is possible to have protein deficiency, and two conditions have been defined where lack of protein is primary; Marasmus, in which both protein and calories are lacking and Kwashiorkor, in which primarily protein is missing from the diet. While these are rare (but not unheard of) in the United States, they are common in areas such as parts of Africa and Asia Minor.

The amount of protein an individual requires on a daily basis depends upon their age, size and gender. Like many nutritional requirements, protein is not a "one size fits all" nutritional component. Too much leads to fat storage. Too little, and your body doesn't have the essential building blocks it needs to do it's many tasks.

If you suspect you are getting too much, or too little, protein in your diet (remembering that the body loves balance) keep track of how much you take in over a two week period. That will give you a good idea if you need to re-visit your eating habits.

I hope this has been interesting and informative. If you have any questions, please ask.

Always,

Dr. P