Functions of proteins: molecules of life

It seems that modern nutritionists are literally obsessed with proteins. Everyone who decides to become a vegetarian starts to be frightened even by people far from medicine - there will be no animal food - you will not have enough protein. Of course, the future vegan needs to carefully approach his diet. It is necessary to take care of enough protein. Why is this component of a healthy diet so important? This can be understood if we consider the functions of proteins in the human body. However, vegans should not despair - and they can eat fully.

We are made up of 45% protein, everyone knows that for the person to acquire muscular strength in the diet, this substance must be sufficient. The protein is in a large number in the muscles, also it consists of the skin, nails, mucous membranes, hair, many proteins in the blood. Why is it important to get enough of this nutrient with food?

Proteins consist of smaller units - amino acids. They are actively used by the body of only 20, and many of them are unable to synthesize in the body, they are called essential (irreplaceable). A few more can form only the body of an adult, that is, they can be considered conditionally indispensable. And here essences need to be eaten, otherwise the body simply can not build tissues. A person on a low-protein diet is rapidly losing weight, but this is a mass of muscles that are very heavy. After a while, the condition begins, which is called protein-free edema. Yes, the expression "puff with hunger" is not irony and not a metaphor, people without a protein really can not live long and are sick precisely by "swelling". As can be seen from the written, the first function of the protein (which requires the most of this substance) is construction.

Most of the body's reactions outside it can not go by themselves. How are these "magic" reactions launched? This requires special "players" - reagents, which are not consumed in the reaction. That is enzymes. It is nothing but catalysts over which evolution has long worked. They require very little, but life without such catalysts is impossible. They are very whimsical, since the protein easily loses its structure. Therefore, the physical conditions strongly influence the function of proteins in this form. Such substances are not only in humans, but also in pathogens. And the temperature of the body increases because many enzymes of bacteria are unable to function at a slightly deviated temperature. Although our body suffers from this condition. So, the second function is catalytic. A small amount of the enzyme is capable of creating chemical miracles in the body.

The functions of proteins are not limited to this, there are still tasks for complex life molecules. An important function is humoral-regulator , most hormones have a protein nature. But this is often the only way for the center to affect the organs and tissues - to isolate the hormone or hormone-like substance. By the way, this type of regulation is called humoral.

The above you read about protein-free edema. One can guess that the protein plays the role of a regulator of water metabolism . It is the amount of protein in the blood and tissues that determines the correct balance of water introduced into the body and out of it. The term oncotic pressure is associated with this process.

It is impossible to forget about such function of proteins, as protective . If a person does not have enough protein, he starts to get sick more often. In the formation of immune cells, this nutrient plays a key role. The cells that protect us every day are built from protein.

Is it possible to be a vegan and be healthy at the same time? Functions of proteins in the body may well be carried out and vegetable protein. Only proteins of different types need to be combined, for example, there is rice simultaneously with beans. And many kinds of soybeans contain the same amino acids as ordinary meat. So you can be a vegan. If carefully.