Diet, Disease & Nutrition - Part2: PROTEIN

Continuing on the Diet, Disease and Nutrition, lets look at Protein as a nutrient.

Whats Protein?

Protein is an essential nutrient, derived from Greek word 'protos', which mean first.

1. Its the building block of our body
2. Half our dry weight or about 20% of our total body weight, including muscles, hair, nails & skin is composed of proteins.
3. Its required for our immune system, to synthesize neurotransmitters & for creation and signalling of hormones.
4. Importantly, its the only nitrogenous supplement.

For 'Why is Nitrogen essential?' - Please refer to :
Importance of Nitrogen

Classification of Proteins:

1. Structural Proteins - Part of body structure, both formation & destruction is slow
- Collagen : tensile strength
- Elastin : elasticity
- Keratin : nails & hair

2.Functional Proteins - Regulates function, both formation & destruction is fast
- Enzymes : catalyst for various metabloic functions
- Hormones : messenger proteins, trigger various reactions
- Antibodies : involved in defending the body from antigens / foreign invaders

3. Combined Proteins - combined with other substances for specific purposes
- Muco Protein : Saliva - electrolytes, mucus, antibacterial compounds & enzymes
- Lipo Protein : Lipid+Protein, Eg: Cholesterol
- Transport Protein :

Whats the big deal about Protein?
Although our bodies are good at 'recycling' protein, we use up protein constantly, so it is important to continually replace it.

So, how much of Protein do we actually need?

More in the next blog....