Protein Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Protein - Essay Example The enzyme which is required for these processes to occur is alanine amino transferase. Proteins have various functions. They are broken down to amino acids which then provide energy to the body. Thus they serve as an energy source. They also form various enzymes, blood transporters and plasma proteins that perform the function of transport and help to control water balance. Proteins are also an integral part of clotting factors. Muscle proteins are also very important as they bring about contractions. Hormones such as insulin and glucagon are also made of proteins. Elastin and collagen which are integral parts of connective tissues are also made up of proteins. Compared to the digestion and absorption of other nutrients, the digestion and absorption of proteins is complex as various enzymes are involved in manufacturing of the end-products of proteins. Stomach is the major part of the gastrointestinal tract where protein digestion occurs. Acidity of the stomach allows activation of pepsin and denaturing of proteins which involves uncoiling. Further digestion occurs in the small intestine in the presence of proteolytic enzymes which form amino acids. Absorbed form of proteins are amino acids. The main harmful effect of amino acid supplementation is that it may hinder and decrease the absorption of other amino acids which may lead to an amino acid imbalance. This defect may occur because amino acids share absorption transport systems. Hence, it is advised that individual amino acid supplements should be avoided. Nitrogen balance is a standard which has been set to understand the excess or deficiency of proteins in the diet. The nitrogen balance keeps the amount of protein consumed and lost in balance. If the balance is disturbed, the person is said to have lost nitrogen equilibrium. Nitrogen balance is necessary to understand if the body is growing properly or not. Protein under-nutrition is also referred to as protein-energy malnutrition. Two most