subject: Functions Of Protein? [print this page] The word protein comes from the Greek word "proteios' which means primary. It has many roles to play in our body without which normal functioning can be impaired.
Some of these functions are:
1. Making antibodies, which are our primary defence system against infection. 2. Movement and muscle contraction, which we can get from contractile proteins (without which we can do little).
3. Catalyzing metabolic and biochemical reactions through enzymes. Enzymes take part in all chemical reactions in the body. Example: enzymes helps the digestive system in breaking down food.
4. Picking up signals from the body and sending them to a cell that needs it; hormonal proteins work as messenger proteins (like insulin).
5. Making up cells and tissues; structural proteins such as keratine, collagen, and elastin do this important job for us, creating connective tissue, tendons, ligaments (responsible for keeping hair, skin, nails healthy).
6. Help transport nutrients from one part of the body to another; the haemoglobin does this.
The primary function of the protein is to build and repair your body. In fact amino acids, which are the building blocks of the protein, are what make up all the different parts of the body.
There are about 20 odd amino acids, which can be compared to alphabets. Different amino acids come together and make specific proteins that go into creating hair, nerves, or the matrix of the bone, cartilage, hormones, enzymes, etc. Much like the combination of different alphabets makes the words. They are also responsible for all types of physiological process such as generating energy, recovering from illnesses, maintaining our bodies and their growth, fat loss and even mood and brain functions. Amino acids are divided into two major categories: indispensible amino acids (IAA) and dispensable amino acids (DAA). As their name suggests, indispensible amino acids need to be provided by the body through your diet and can't be made by the body. DAA, on the other hand, can be manufactured by the body, so it is not so necessary to provide them through diet or food.
Protein, like carbohydrates, is your ally when it comes to getting a lean, toned body. First, it helps you to burn fat. To lose fat the body must be able to increase the circulation and mobilisation of stored fat. Then these fats need to be converted to energy (commonly called fat burning). To improve circulation of stored fats and to break it down to energy, the body needs several nutrients. One of the most important nutrients it needs is methionine, an IAA. Methionine can be supplied to the body in adequate amounts by eating a well balanced diet and consuming good quality protein like fish, eggs, milk products, whey. A diet which restricts protein will lack methionine and will not facilitate fat burning.
Second, it is absolutely vital for anyone doing physical activity. During any form of exercise, the body and specifically our muscles go through microscopic wear and tear. Loss of muscle tissue or its breakdown is associated with ageing and the one thing that will turn exercise into an anti-ageing activity is protein. Why? Because amino acids help us repair our tissues and recover from the stress that exercise places on our body. Post exercise the body is in need of some fast carbs (the only one time the body needs high glycemic index carbohydrate is post exercise) and a quick supply of amino acids.
The fast carbohydrate leads to a spike in the insulin levels of the body. The cells in the body then pick up the glucose and amino acids that they need for quick recovery from strenuous workouts. Without protein working out is fruitless. No wonder people who exercise but don't watch out their diets ultimately deduce that exercise doesn't work for them. Because without amino acids reaching sites of action, exercise really doesn't work.
Fat and carbohydrates can provide us with energy but cannot do the repair and recovery work that protein does for us. I would go to the extent of saying that if you can't arrange for your post workout meal to have protein and high GI carb, you better off not working out.
