Scribd
Upload
12 views9 pages

Nutrition Lesson 3 Protein

Uploaded by

mayowaayetowo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
12 views9 pages

Nutrition Lesson 3 Protein

Uploaded by

mayowaayetowo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 9

PROTEINS

Composition of Proteins
Protein are made up of small units called amino acids, Protein contain carbon,
hydrogen and oxygen(like CHO and lipids) and also nitrogen which distinguish it from
other macro nutrients. Protein are broken into amino acids in the digestive system.

THE AMINO ACIDS


The amino acids are the building stones of protein. These amino acids are used in the
body to build new cells, or to replace the worn out cells.
Amino acids are classified into two groups :Essential and Non Essential amino acids. Of
the 22 amino acids used in protein synthesis ,9 of which are classified as essential
because they must be supplied through the diet. The essential amino acids are
histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine,
tryptophan and valine.
The remaining 13 amino acids are classified non-essential because they can be
manufactured in the body from nitrogen and CHO or fat. They include: alanine,
arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, proline,
serine and tyrosine.
FUNCTIONS OF PROTEIN
• The major function of protein in the diet is to supply adequate amount and proportions
amount of amino acids for the synthesis of body proteins

• Proteins form body structure and framework.40% of protein is found in skeletal muscle and
15% is found each in the skin and blood.

• Proteins are used to synthesize many essential body secretions and fluids such as hormones,
plasma proteins (i.e albumin),neurotransmitters, all enzymes, breastmilk,
antibodies(immunoglobin) which help the body resist infection and diseases.

• Some amino acids have specific functions in the body for instance tryptophan is a precursor
of melanin the pigments that colour hair and skin.

• Proteins transport other substances through the blood for example lipoproteins transport
triglycerides, cholesterol, phospholipids and fat soluble vitamins.

• Protein can be oxidized to provide energy , protein provides 4cal/g . Protein is a source of
energy when it is consumed in excess or when calorie intake from carbohydrate and fat is
inadequate.
SOURCES OF PROTEIN

• Dietary proteins can be classified as complete proteins or high


biological proteins if they provide all essential amino acids. All animal
source are complete proteins e.g meat, fish, poultry, eggs and dairy
products
• Dietary proteins can be classified as incomplete protein or low quality
proteins if they are deficient in one or more essential amino acids.
The essential amino acid present in the smallest amount is known as
the limiting amino acids because it limit protein synthesis, thereby
amino acid are broken down and wasted as a source of energy.
• Plant proteins (legumes, grains, nuts and seeds) are incomplete
protein with the exception of soy, however different plant proteins
lack different essential amino acids so they can be combined to
provide sufficient quantities.
CONDITIONS THAT INCREASE THE NEED FOR PROTEIN

• When calorie intake is inadequate so that protein is being used for energy.
Very low calorie weight loss diets
Starvation
Protein energy malnutrition
• When the body needs to heal itself
Hypermetabolic conditions such as burns, sepsis, major infection and trauma
Post-surgical
Acute inflammation such as inflammatory bowel disease
Skin breakdown
Multiple fractions
Hepatitis
• When periods of normal tissue growth occur
Pregnancy
Lactation
Infancy
DIGESTION OF PROTEIN
In the stomach
• The stomach releases gastric juices containing hydrochloric acid and the
enzyme pepsin an enzyme that is secreted by the cells that line the
stomach and is activated by hydrochloric acid. Pepsin begins breaking
peptide bonds, creating shorter polypeptides, which initiate the chemical
digestion of protein.

Dietary protein pepsin polypeptides

Proteins are large globular molecules, and their chemical breakdown requires
time and mixing. Protein digestion in the stomach takes a longer time than
carbohydrate digestion, but a shorter time than fat digestion. Eating a high-
protein meal increases the amount of time required to sufficiently break
down the meal in the stomach. Food remains in the stomach longer, making
you feel full longer.

• The principal site of protein synthesis is small intestine, in the small


DIGESTION OF PROTEIN
In the small intestine
• The chyme leaves the stomach and enters the small intestine, where the majority
of protein digestion occurs. The pancreas secretes digestive juices into the small
intestine, and these contain more enzymes to further break down polypeptides.

• The two major pancreatic enzymes that digest proteins in the small intestine are
chymotrypsin and trypsin. Trypsin activates other protein-digesting enzymes
called protease and together, these enzymes break proteins down to tripeptides,
dipeptides, and individual amino acids. The cells that line the small intestine
release additional enzymes that also contribute to the enzymatic digestion of
polypeptides

• and together, these enzymes break proteins down to tripeptides, dipeptides,


and individual amino acids. The cells that line the small intestine release
additional enzymes that also contribute to the enzymatic digestion of
polypeptides which are absorbed into the bloodstream
Absorption of amino acids
• Once the amino acids are in the blood, they are
transported to the liver In order to use amino acids to
make ATP, glucose, or fat, the nitrogen first has to be
removed in a process called deamination which occurs
in the liver and kidneys. The nitrogen is initially released
as ammonia, and because ammonia is toxic, the liver
transforms it into urea. Urea is then transported to the
kidneys and excreted in the urine. Urea is a molecule
that contains two nitrogens and is highly soluble in
water. This makes it ideal for transporting excess
nitrogen out of the body.
Disease of Protein deficiency
• Disease of protein can be due to deficiency or excessive consumption,
deficiency of protein may lead to the following diseases. Protein energy
malnutrition (PEM) in the form of kwashiorkor, marasmus and marasmic
kwashiorkor. The PEM is the most popular form of protein deficiency in
developing countries especially among the under-five children. Other form
of protein deficiency are weight loss, weakness, shrinking of muscle tissue,
low blood pressure anaemia, pigmentation on the skin and poor healing
wounds
• Diseases that are caused by excessive consumption of protein include,
obesity, dehydration, constipation heart and kidney diseases, insulin
resistance and diabetes, prostate and breast cancer, raised blood
cholesterol, increased loss of calcium, osteoporosis, and hypertension.

• High protein diets have detrimental effect on the kidney because of the
stress required to process proteins. Increased protein consumption may
lead to hyper filtration of the glomerular to remove waste from the body
and this hyper filtration may lead to kidney damage.

You might also like