PRESENTATION ON PROTEIN

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DEFINITION: Proteins are essential nutrients for human body. They are large biomolecules or macromolecules consisting of one or more long chains of amino acid residues. Protein is found throughout the body. In skin, bone, hair and virtually every other part or tissue. It makes up the enzyme that power many chemical reactions and hemoglobin that carries oxygen in your blood. At least 10,000 different proteins make you what you are and keeps you that way. The institute of medicine recommends that adult get a minimum of 0.8 grams of protein for every kilogram of body weight per day. In the united states, the recommended daily allowance of protein is 46 grams per day for women over 19 years of age and 56 grams per day for men over 19 years of age.

    We can get protein from foods like eggs, milk, yogurt, fish and sea foods, red meat, pork, chicken and turkey red meat. Proteins not from animals are - avocado, beans, soya, greek yogurt, almonds, etc.

    

                        DIGESTION OF PROTEIN

     Protein digestion occurs in the stomach and duodenum in which three main enzymes, pepsin secreted by the stomach and trypsin and chymotrypsin secreted by the pancreas, breakdown food proteins into polypeptides that are then broken down by various exopepsides into amino acids.

     Once protein is chewed and swallowed, hydrochloric acid and pepsin begin protein digestion in the stomach. Hydrochloric acid helps to kill the bacteria in food that could cause infection. It also makes the stomach very acidic. 

     PROTEIN ABSORPTION takes place in the jejenum and ileum portions of the small intestine. It requires energy and Adenosine Triphosphate is the energy source the body utilizes during protein absorption.

                          USES OF PROTEIN

·      Proteins are believed to increase performance in athletics.

·      Amino acids, the binding building blocks of proteins are used for building muscles.

·      Proteins help to make enzymes, hormones and other body chemicals.

·      Protein aids reproduction.

·      Protein aids the growth of young ones.

·      It helps in weight control.

·      It helps in repair of worn-out tissues.

 Around the world, it's sad to say that millions of people don't get enough protein. Malnutrition or deficiency of protein is especially common among people living in developing countries. This condition leads to;

·       MARASMUS - It affects infants and young children.

·       KWASHIORKOR - it affects older children.

·       CACHEXIA - Depletion of skeletal muscle.

·       MENTAL RETARDATION.

In spite of wanting to keep our food balanced by eating the right amount of protein, we need to  be careful so as not to take in excess of protein as this can lead to;

·       Bad breath

·       Gout attacks

·       Kidney risk(because they would be working harder than usual      to get rid of all the excess nitrogen).

·       Diabetes(a recent study found that people who eats diet high in red meat had a higher risk of type 2 diabetics who rarely eat red or processed meat).

·       Cancer(consumption of red meat during adolescence was associated with premenopausal breast cancer risk.

·       Osteoporosis.

·       cardiovascular diseases.

However, there is growing evidence that high food protein choices do play a role on health and so we can save lives feeding our loved ones a reasonable amount of protein everyday. 

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