Protein Flashcards
(16 cards)
What is a protein?
A protein is a macronutrient
What are protein molecules made up of?
Amino acids
How many amino acids are there?
20
What happens when we eat proteins?
Body digests protein molecules, into individual amino acids and make new protein molecules for our body to use
What are essential amino acids?
Amino acids that cannot be made in the body so come in foods we eat
What are High Biological Value proteins? (HBV)
Proteins containing all the essential amino acids.
What are Low Biological Value proteins? (LBV)
Foods containing one or more of the essential amino acids
What is protein complementation?
Eating a mixture of LBV proteins together to get all the essential amino acids.
3 main functions of protein in the body?
- Growth
- Repair
- Maintenance
Natural substances made from proteins?
Hormones
Enzymes
Antibodies
HBV sources of protein?
Meat, poultry, fish, eggs, milk, cheese, yoghurt, soya beans and quinoa
LBV sources of protein?
Lentils, peas, beans, cereal, nuts, seeds and gelatine
What are some protein alternatives?
Tofu, tempeh, TVP, Mycoprotein.
Examples of protein complementation
Beans on toast, nut butter on bread.
What are the effects of a deficiency of protein?
Children will not grow properly
Loss of hair
Skin and nails in poor condition
Easily get infections/poor immune system
Not able to digest food properly
What are the effects of an excess of protein?
Liver and kidney damage/put under stress
