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Diet
& Nutrition Protein
What
is Protein?
Protein is a complex organic compound made up of amino-acids which are
synthesized by living systems. There are 20 different amino-acids commonly
found in proteins and all but eight can be synthesized inside the human
body. The eight amino-acids which cannot be synthesized by the human body
are referred to as 'Indispensible Amino-Acids' or IAA by food scientists
as they must be present in our daily diets. If one of the IAAs is missing
it will affect the body's process of the others.
Flesh foods (meat, poultry and fish)
and eggs and dairy produce all contain all eight of the IAAS. However, it
is not normally a problem for vegans and vegetarians as although cereals,
nuts and seeds tend to be high in the amino-acid 'methionine' but low in
'lysine' , pulses are rich in lysine but low in mehtionine. In this way,
these two food groups complement each other very well and provide all
eight of the IAAs.
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Function
- Builds and maintains body tissues
- Helps create enzymes, hormones
and antibodies
- Assists in the transportation of
fats, vitamins and minerals
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Signs
of deficiency
- Susceptibility to infection
- General weakness
- Muscle weakness and atrophy
- Atrophy of tissues and oedema
(swelling)
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Best
sources
Flesh foods (meat, poultry and fish) and eggs and dairy produce all
contain all eight of the IAAS. However, it is not normally a problem for
vegans and vegetarians as although cereals, nuts and seeds tend to be high
in the amino-acid 'methionine' but low in 'lysine' , pulses are rich in
lysine but low in mehtionine. In this way, these two food groups
complement each other very well and provide all eight of the IAAs. For
more details of vegetarian sources of protein click here. Soya is also an
excellent source of protein. click
here
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This page was last updated on 25 October 2006 15:44:38
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