Protein
Protein: is a very necessary substance in building our body and maintaining it. Without protein we should not have any flesh on our body. Protein is a group name signifying the principal nitrogenous constituents of the protoplasm of all plant and animal tissues. Protein is extremely complex organic compounds of the elements nitrogen, oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, and, sulphur. Most proteins also contain phosphorous, and some specialized proteins contain iron, iodine, copper and other inorganic elements. Nitrogen is the largest constituent of protein. The presence of nitrogen distinguishes proteins from carbohydrates and fats. It is through protein the body is provided with nitrogen which is very important for renewing the skin and maintaining the tissues of the body. All the organs of our body are repaired by protein. Proteins are vital substances, which form important constituent of muscles, tissues, and the blood. Proteins supply the building material for the body and make good the wear and tear of tissues. Several substances concerned with vital life processes such as enzymes which help in digestion of food, are chiefly protein in nature. Without protein, no life appears possible on the earth. Through its means the chief physical process of life are produced. Balanced Protein increases mental strength. Hemoglobin in blood is made of protein.
The requirement of the protein depends up on the body weight, age and the nature of work a person is engaged in. The daily requirement of protein is 40 to 60 grams. On a protein value rating scale of 1 to 100, egg is 95 the highest, milk is 85, fish 80, meat and poultry are 70, grains are 50 to 70 and legumes nuts and seeds are between 50 and 60. The recommended daily allowance of 70 value proteins is 45 grams per day for women and 60 for men. Latest findings tells that the actual protein requirement is much less, being 15 grams per day of 100 value protein or 25 grams of 70 value protein or 30 grams of 50 value protein. Proteins are found in good scale in vegetarian diets such as Milk, Almonds, Peanuts, coconut, soya bean, pulses, cereals and peas. A wholesome vegetarian diet can, therefore, easily meet the body’s protein needs. Growing children and pregnant women need more protein because it is needed in building the body of the child as well as the embryo in the womb. Many people who are fat generally lack protein in the body and many people who are thin also lack protein. Enough protein is needed to heal the wound as well as strength and growth.
Too much or too little intake of protein is harmful. Most of the health complaints are of the crisis of excess protein intake. Intake of protein should compulsorily reduce after growing age. Reduction of protein, the proportion in the diet result in an increase in the physical and mental energy, a capacity to work for long periods without getting tired and reduced susceptibility to disease. But unfortunately most of the people continue the same or more intakes after growing age which is the main cause of unhealthy pattern. Too much intake of meet which is rich in protein is very, very harmful. By taking too much protein liver and kidneys are weakened. When too much of protein enters the blood stream, it gets converted into nitric acid, sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid. The body is forced use up large amount of alkali minerals to neutralize these acids. This results in deficiency of minerals in the bones, hair and nails. The acids mentioned above causes so much damage to the liver and the kidneys that in some case it may even prove fatal.
There are several varieties of protein each contains specific numbers of "building blocks" known as amino-acids. When food stuff is ingested, the nutrients and amino-acids do not immediately diffuse into all the different tissues. Before they could be absorbed by the body, all proteins must first be broken down into amino-acids. For this purpose the body releases enzymes into the intestinal tract and a series of biochemical reactions take place in the digestive tract which collect these proteins, break them down and then utilize them as needed. There are about 23 types amino acids needed for the normal functioning of the body. The body can manufacture many amino acids if it has no adequate nitrogen source, but it cannot produce certain others in sufficient amounts to meet its needs. The amino acids that the body cannot Synthesis in adequate amounts are called essential or indispensable because they must be supplied by the diet in proper proportions and amounts to meet the requirements for maintenance of growth of the cells. Non-essential or dispensable amino acids are those that the body can synthesize in sufficient amounts to meet its needs if the total amount of nitrogen supplied by protein is adequate. Of these 23 amino acids 10 need be supplied by the diet as the body can synthesis the remaining 13. Body can use 100 per cent of this protein if all ten amino acids are in ideal proportions. If, however, one or more of the essential amino acids are present in less than the ideal amount, the value of the entire protein is reduced in the same proportions. The presence non-essential amino acids in protein also affect the quality of protein.
The various functions of the essential (Hilightened) and non-essential amino acids, their deficiency symptoms and their curative uses their requirements in the body and their sources are listed below. It will be observed from this statement that ten amino acids are essential for maintenance of nitrogen equilibrium in human bodies.
Amino Acids
No | Amino Acid | Affects on the body | Sources |
1 | Arginine | This is called the ‘father’ amino acid as it contains 80 per cent of all male reproductive cells. It is essential for normal growth of Muscles, cartilage cells, reproductive organs prevention of senility. Lack of this amino acid causing impotence. | It is found in most vegetables, especially, green and root vegetables like Alfalfa, green leafy vegetables, carrots, beetroots, cucumber, celery, lettuce, radishes, potatoes. |
2 | Histidine | This helps tissue growth and repair, normal blood supply, formation of glycogen Liver, hemoglobin and semen. Stimulate hydrochloric acid secretion and thus have ulcers. Orthopedic and joint pains are caused by lack of histidine. | It is found in the root vegetables and all green vegetables Radishes, carrots, beetroots, celery, cucumber, garlic, onion, turnips, alfalfa, spinach, apples, pineapples, pomegranates, papaya |
3 | Isoleucine | It regulates metabolism of the thymus, spleen and pituitary glands, hemoglobin. Helps in maintaining the nitrogen balance vital to all body functions. | Rich sources are sunflower seeds, all nuts, except cashew nuts, avocados, olives, Papaya, coconuts, almonds, apricots, pistachios, walnuts. |
4 | Leucine | Counter balancing isoleucine with a similar chemical composition although in different arrangement. Its functions and sources are also similar.
| Rich sources are sunflower seeds, all nuts, except cashew nuts, avocados, olives, Papaya, coconuts, almonds, apricots, pistachios, walnuts. |
5 | Lysine | Lysine inhibits viruses. Its use along with vitamin C, zinc and vitamin A helps eliminate virus infections. Vitamin C protects this amino acid while in the body so that lysine plus vitamin C has a much stronger anti-virus effect than if either is used separately. Lysine also influences the female reproductive cycle, prevention of senility. Lack lysine in the diet may cause headaches, dizziness, nausea and incipient anemia. Helps the functions of Liver, gall bladder, fat metabolism, | The main sources of this amino acid are most kinds of nuts, seeds, vegetables and sub-acid fruits. Rich sources are Carrots, beetroots, cucumber, celery, mint, spinach, turnips, alfalfa, germinated soya beans, papaya, apples, plums, pears and grapes. |
6 | Methionine | This is a sulphur -bearing compound which helps dissolve cholesterol and assimilates fat. It is required by hemoglobin, the pancreas, the lymph and the spleen. It is necessary to maintain normal body weight and also helps maintain the proper nitrogen balance in the body. Its deficiency can lead to chronic rheumatic fever in children, hardening of the liver (cirrhosis) and nephritis of the kidneys. | Rich sources are Brazil nut, Hazal nut, and other nuts. It is also found in Brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, pineapples garlic, and apples. |
7 | Phenylalanine | This is essential to the production of hormone adrenaline, thyroid secretion and the hair and skin pigment, melanin. It is also essential for the efficient functioning of kidneys and bladder in elimination of foreign substances. | Major source are nuts, seeds, carrots, parsley and tomatoes beetroots, spinach, mint, tomatoes, pineapples, apples. |
8 | Threonine | Without this a child’s development will be incomplete and there will be malfunctioning of the brain. This amino acid has a powerful anti-convulsive effect. It makes good the deficiency of some other amino acids | This amino acid is found in various types of milk and is a major constituent in cow’s milk. Other sources are nuts, seeds, carrots, alfalfa, green leafy vegetables, and papaya |
9 | Tryptophane | It is essential to blood clotting, digestive juices and the optic system, Regeneration of cells, secretion of digestive juices, eyes. Induces sleep and relaxes the nervous system. It wards off signs of premature old age - cataracts of the eyes, baldness, and deterioration of sex glands and malformation of teeth enamel. Tryptophan may also be a natural painkiller. | Major sources of these amino acids are nuts, and most vegetables Carrots, beetroots, celery, spinach, alfalfa, turnips. |
10 | Valine | It is an essential body growth factor, particularly for mammary glands Breasts and ovaries. It is directly linked with the nervous system. It is essential for the prevention of nervous and digestive disorders. Major sources are almonds, apples and most vegetables. Lack of this amino acid makes a person sensitive to touch and sound.
| Major sources are almonds, tomatoes, apples, pomegranates and most vegetables carrots, turnips, sweet gourd, celery, mint, beetroots, almonds. |
11 | Alanine | It regulates the functions of Skin, Adrenal glands | It is found in vegetables Alfalfa, carrots, celery, lettuce, cucumber, turnips, green pepper, spinach, apples, plums, guavas, grapes, oranges, strawberries, almonds. |
12 | Aspartic Acid | Helps in building and maintaining Bones, teeth, lungs, heart, blood vessels | It is found in vegetables Carrots, celery, cucumber, mint, radishes, tomatoes, turnips, lemons, grapefruit, apples, plums, pineapples, melons, almonds |
13 | Cystine | It provides resistance by building up white-cell activity. It is essential for the proper formation of skin and helps one recover from surgery. It promotes the hair growth. It is used in the treatment of skin diseases, low white blood-cells counts and some cases of anemia.
| It is found in vegetables Alfalfa, carrots, beetroots, cabbages, cauliflower, onions, garlic, apples, pineapples, raspberries, raisins. |
14 | Glutamic acid | Helps in Pancreas function, secretion of digestive juices, prevention anemia reduces the usually irresistible craving for alcohol that recovering drinkers almost inevitably encounter.
| It is found in vegetables Carrots, turnips, cabbages, celery, beetroots, mint, lettuce, spinach, papaya. |
15 | Glycine | Helps in building and maintaining Cartilage cells, Muscles, secretion of sex hormones | It is found in vegetables Carrots, turnips, celery, mint, spinach, alfalfa, garlic, potatoes, figs, oranges, raspberries, pomegranates, melons, almonds. |
16 | Hydroxy Glutmic acid | Place a role in secretion of digestive juices | It is found in vegetables Carrots, mint, lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, grape, raspberries, and plums. |
17 | Hydroxy proline | Helps the functions of Liver, gall bladder, RBCs | It is found in vegetables Carrot, beetroots, lettuce, turnips, cucumber, plums, cherries, figs, radishes, grapes, olives, pineapples, almonds, coconuts. |
18 | Lodogorgoic acid | Helps in glandular functions | It is found in vegetables Carrots, celery, spinach, tomatoes, lettuce, pineapples |
19 | Norleucine | Counter balancing leucine | _ |
20 | Proline | Formation and maintenance of White blood corpuscles (leucocytes) | Available in Carrots, beetroots, lettuce, turnips, cucumber, plums, cherries, grapes, olives, oranges, pineapples, coconuts, almonds. |
21 | Serine | Necessary for Mucous membranes, lungs, bronchi | Available in Radishes, garlic, onions, carrots, beetroots, celery, cucumber, mint, spinach, cabbage, alfalfa, papaya, apples, pineapples. |
22 | Thyroxine | This can be called an anti-stress amino acid. It is also beneficial for depression, nervousness, irritability and despondency. Thyroid, pituitary glands, adrenal glands, regulation metabolism | Available in Carrots, celery, lettuce, spinach, turnips, tomatoes, pineapples.
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23 | Tyrosine | Tyrosine is effective in the control of depression in conjunction with glutamine, tryptophan, niacin and vitamin B6. It is helpful maintaining RBCs, WBCs, hair, adrenal, pituitary and thyroid glands. Plays a good role in the treatment allergies and high blood pressure. | Available in Alfalfa, carrots, beetroots, cucumber, lettuce, mint, spinach, green pepper, plums, strawberries, cherries, apples, melons, figs, almonds. |