Proteins - life essential part

 

                                ------------- Protein---------------

        A Protein is a naturally occurring essential macronutrient, extremely complex substance that consist of Amino acid residues joined by peptide bonds. Proteins are present in all living organism and include many essential biological compounds such as Enzyme, Hormones and Anti-bodies.

       In other ways the Proteins are large, complex molecules that play many critical roles in the body. Proteins are made up of hundreds or thousands of smaller unit called Amino acids, which are attached to one another in long chain.                                                                              

  Some important point about Proteins are –

·       Proteins are colorless and usually tasteless , homogeneous and crystalline . Proteins are the building blocks of life and  every cell in the human body contain Proteins . Proteins is chemically composed of amino acids , which are organic compound made of carbon , hydrogen , nitrogen , oxygen or Sulphur . Amino acid are the building blocks of proteins , proteins are the building blocks of muscles mass .

·       The basic structure of Proteins is a chain of twenty – plus  Amino acids  . It means Proteins is found throughout the body – in muscles , bone , skin , hair, and every other body part of tissues  .

·       Extra Proteins are not stored in human body for later use . Instead , excess amino acid get converted to carbohydrates or fat and used to supply energy or build energy reserves .    Sometimes , when energy demand is low , extra protein can be converted into carbohydrates . Generally excess protein is usually as fat , surplus of amino acids is excreted .

·       Dietary proteins are the first broken down to individual Amino acids by various type  of enzymes  ( Peptidases  enzymes )  and hydrochloric acid present in gastrointestinal tract . These Amino acids are absorbed into blood stream , then to be transported to the liver and onward to the rest body . Absorbed amino acids are typically used to create functional proteins , but may also be used to create energy . They can also be converted into glucose or converted into triglycerides and stored in the fat cells .

·       If an human being is not consuming sufficient Protein, the body being to break down Protein rich tissues , such as muscles , leading to muscle wasting and eventually death of the deficiency is severe .

·       According to National Academy of Medicine recommended that get minimum of 0.8 gm of Proteins for every kilogram of body height per day or near about 50 -60 gram Proteins  each day for average 60 to 70 kilogram (weight) per person .

·       How to proteins formed – Proteins are formed in a condensation reaction when amino acid molecules join together and water molecule is removed . The new bond formed in protein molecules where amino acids have joined is called an peptide link  or Peptide bonds are formed by the condensation of Amino acids to form the Protein structure.

·       Proteins are a group of macromolecules which perform a wide range of function for the cell . They help in the metabolism by providing structural support and even by acting as enzyme , carriers , or hormones .

·       Proteins are primarily composed of amino acid and provide energy to the cells . Proteins are composed of polymer of amino acids residues .Each protein is a linear polymer built from different amino acids .Proteins differ from each other through their amino acid composition and sequence , location , function and spatial configuration . The amino acid in a protein are determined by nucleotide sequence of gene coding for them .

·       Proteins are required for the structure , function and regulation of the body’s cells , tissues and organs .Proteins include whole classes of important molecules , among them enzymes , hormones and anti-bodies .Proteins are one of the three types of nutrients used as energy sources by the body , the other two being carbohydrates and fat .

Shape and Examples of Proteins –

The two distinct patterns of shape of Protein such as  ; Globular Proteins and Fibrillar Proteins  . Globular Proteins are spherical in shape and occur mainly in plant especially in seed and leaves of cells . e.g.  Pepsin,  insulin etc. . Fibrillar Proteins are thread like or ellipsoidal in shape and occur generally in animal muscles . e.g. Fibrinogen , Myosin etc. .

·       There are several Proteins Hormones with important regulatory functions . In all vertebrates , the respiratory protein Hemoglobin  acts as oxygen carriers in the blood , transporting oxygen from lungs to body organs and tissues . A large group of structural Proteins maintains and protects the structure of the body .

·       The common property of all proteins is that consist of α-Amino acid.  In α-Amino acid , α-carbon atom in the molecules carries Amino group (-NH2); the α-carbon atom also carries a carboxyl group ( COOH) . Between the Amine group of one molecule and the Carboxyl group of the neighboring molecule , a peptide bond is formed .

Types of Proteins –

There are mainly seven different proteins types under which all proteins fall . These include Antibodies , Contractile protein , Enzyme protein , Hormonal protein , Structural protein , Storage protein , and Transport proteins .

·       Antibodies proteins - Antibodies  or Immuno-globulins , are proteins produced by immune system in response to foreign molecules . Antibodies proteins  that may help to protect our body from harmful invaders like bacteria and viruses .  Antibodies are Proteins in the our body that the immune system also uses to repair and heal the body after foreign pathogens have been introduced . Antibodies are defensive proteins that have binding sites whose three – dimensional structure allows them to identity and bind to very specific foreign molecules . By binding to foreign molecules , proteins they can help neutralize them and removal by defensive cells . In other ways we can say , Antibodies bind to specific foreign particles , such as viruses and  bacteria , to help protect the body .

·       Contractile proteins – They are responsible for muscle contraction and movement , such as Actin and myosin . Actin may controls muscle contraction as well as cellular movement and division processes . Myosin powers the tasks carried out by Actin by supplying it with energy .

·       Enzyme protein –Enzymes carry out almost all of the thousands of chemical reactions that take place in cells .  Enzyme proteins catalyze biochemical reaction in the body while some inhibitors stop these enzyme from working . It mean they facilitate and speed up biochemical reaction , like catalyst . Pepsin enzyme is a digestive enzyme that work in the stomach to break down protein in food – a shortage of this enzyme leads to indigestion .They also assist with the formation of new molecules by reading the genetic information stored in DNA .

·       Hormonal proteins  or Messenger - Hormone protein act as chemical messengers to communicate between cells and tissues or that help coordinate certain bodily function or in other ways , Messenger proteins , such as some types of hormones , transmit signals to coordinate biological processes between different cells , tissues and organs . Example- insulin hormone regulate glucose metabolism by controlling blood sugar level in the blood .

·       Structural proteins – Structural proteins are a category of proteins responsible for functioning ranging from cell shape and movement to providing support to major structure such as bones , cartilage , hair, and muscles . This group includes proteins such as collagen , actin , myosin and keratin . They are fibrous and stringy , this formation making  them ideal for supporting various other protein . Structural proteins are the most abundant class of proteins in nature .

·       Storage proteins- Some storage proteins store amino acids . The two amino acids storage proteins in animal are casein and ovalbumin . Storage proteins accumulate in both vegetable and reproductive tissues and serve as reservoir to be used in later stage of plant development  . Storage proteins are also an important source of dietary plant proteins . Human beings are not able to store protein , for the most part .The human body can break down its muscles tissues to get certain amino acids . Example of storage proteins include Ovalbumin ,which is found in eggs white , and casein , a milk based protein .

·       Transport proteins - Transport protein move molecule across cell membrane such as ions , nutrients and waste products . It means transport proteins carry substance throughout our bloodstream or in other ways , Transport proteins bind and carry atom and small molecules within cells and throughout the body . For example , hemoglobin is a protein that carries oxygen from lungs to body tissues .

Function of Proteins-

·       Proteins play a vital role in many biological processes and are essential for the body to function properly . Proteins are very essential for the growth of body and repair in the parts of the body .

·       Protein are important for the execution of complex processes and for synthesis and regeneration of DNA . Enzyme are protein that digest food .

·       Proteins are linked to the creation of a number of hormones that help keep the body’s components in check . Cells use surface receptors to communicate with each other and with the out side world . These receptor are composed of Proteins .

·       They act as antibodies that bind to specific foreign particles , such as viruses or bacteria , to help protect the body . They act as enzyme by carrying all of the chemical reaction that take place in the cell .

·       Proteins which work as transport protein carry atoms and tiny molecules within cells and throughout the body .Some proteins are hormones , which are chemical messengers that aid communication between our cells , tissues and organs .

·       All enzymes are Proteins . They are produced by living cells and they act as catalyst in biochemical reaction , like digestion and others . Protein is required for the growth and maintenance of tissues .

·       Proteins act as a buffer system , helping our body maintain proper pH values of the blood and other bodily fluids .

·       Albumin and Globulin are proteins in our blood that help maintain our body’s fluid balance by attracting and retaining water . It means Proteins in our blood maintain the fluid balance between our blood and surrounding tissues .

·       Protein can serve as a valuable energy source but only in situation of fasting , exhaustive exercise or inadequate calories intake  . Protein contains near about four calories per gram .

·       Proteins improve the muscle mass of the body and help in reducing the abundance of fats thereby promoting fat loss . This is why proteins are also important for athletes .

·       Protein are most important for the formation of neurotransmitters and are thus important for optimal brain functioning . Proteins may be also help to reducing the risk of cardiovascular disorders .

·       Proteins are essential for maintaining the strength and elasticity of the skin and have a significant role in the prevention of facial wrinkles . Structural protein Collagen , may assist in the healing of wounds , diabetic ulcer , burns wounds .

·       Proteins  help in proper growth and development of the body and are thus must be included in the diet of children to reduce the risk of childhood infection , illnesses and poor development of bones .

·       Protein has many important role in our body , it helps repair and build our body tissues , allows metabolic reactions to take place and coordinates bodily functions .

Sources of Proteins – Proteins are present in rich amounts in the various food product , especially those derived from animal sources  . Some of the food in our daily diet will help to meet our daily requirement  . Other than this , protein powder , protein shake and its supplements also provide protein ,but it is best to derive protein nutrition from natural sources.

·       Protein rich food include Meat , Fish , Eggs , Milk , and milk products like Cheese , cottage cheese , curd , yoghurt  or other type of animal by-product foods  , which contain all Essential Amino acid . Nuts like almond , hazelnuts , peanut , walnuts , Seeds , Sunflower seed ,  Whole grain , Beans ,  Dairy , Soy and Tofu , Poultry , Red Meat , Chicken ,with skin removed , Fish like salmon , tuna , Shellfish , Seafood , Dairy product , Beans , kidney beans  , black beans , Rajma , sprouts , and Legumes are also contain rich amount of Protein .

·       Natural proteins - Animal product , meat , milk , milk product , egg , poultry and fish are rich sources of protein containing a balanced level of amino acid . Plant food items , legumes and nuts are also a natural source of proteins .

·       Mainly two type of Protein ; compete and incompletes Protein . Complete Protein provide all of the Amino acid that our body needs in appropriate amount such as Meat , Poultry , Seafood , Eggs , Milk etc.

Incomplete Protein provide some , but not all , of the Amino acid we need . Many plant based protein are incomplete proteins . Nuts , Seed ,and most grain are best example of incomplete Protein .

Ayurveda point of view about Proteins – In Ayurveda, diet charts about Proteins have to be only on the individual doshas  effects .  Amount and type of proteins need varies with our constitution . such as –

·       In Vata doshas ( tendency to be lighter ) – More protein in general , although made from small quantities in more frequent meals derived from Milk product , Eggs , Grain , Nuts and seeds , Some meat and fish . Vata predominant people need to be very careful .

·       Pitta doshas ( tendency to have heat and stronger digestion ) A medium  level of protein , derived from – Milk product , Most legume , Almonds , Grain , Seeds , A little fresh water fish , Meat in moderation .-

·       Kapha ( tendency to heaviness ) – A lower level of protein mainly derived from plant protein . such as , Most legumes , Mainly whole grain , Eggs , Seeds in moderation , Goat milk product , Very little meat .

Deficiency of Proteins  - Proteins are most essential for our body , so the deficiency of proteins in the body leads to health impairment .

·       Edema , Thinning of hair , Brittle hair , Whit lines in the finger and toes , Anaemia

·       Skin rashes , Fatigue , Insomnia , Headache , Sloe healing of wounds

·       Anxiety , Depression , Lethargy , swelling of the legs , feet and hand ,Hunger , Muscle weakness or joint pain , Getting sick regularly .

Side Effect of Proteins -  Non –vegetarian diet are packed with all essential amino acid and no harm if lean and low fat variant adopted for . But, rich fat variant , especially red meat may increase the risk of ;

·       Coronary heart problem , type 2 diabetes and many others .

Some side effect of a rich protein diet in excess quantity are ; such as

·       Impairment of kidney function , bloating and constipation , Headache , stomach cramps etc. . (Artificial sources of protein in the form of supplements may cause allergic reaction in some individuals ) .

Disclaimer –

           This content about Proteins  is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be constructed as medical advice.