Protein Flashcards
What is the main function of protein?
Protein is the building blocks of the body and is responsible for growth and repair of tissue
What other functions do proteins serve in our body?
Proteins build most enzymes and many hormones Proteins help maintain fluid balance, blood clotting Speed up chemical reactions
How proteins are made
A chain of amino acids linked together through peptide bonds to create polypeptides (single protein molecule containing 10 or more amino acids linked in peptide chains)
What are amino acids?
Building blocks of protein.
What is an essential amino acids
an amino acid that your body can not make on it’s own (MUST GET FROM DIET!)there are 9 essential amino acids
what are nonessential amino acids
the 11 amino acids that humans can make on their own
what are conditionally essential amino acids?
Amino acids that can become essential in certain physiologic conditions (illness or if the body lacks necessary enzymes)
example: PKU
What are some examples of foods rich in protein?
Red meat, fish, poultry, dairy products, etc.
What are some plant foods rich in protein?
Peanut butter, dried beans, soy beans
what percent of calories should come from protein
10-35%
1 gram equals how many protein calories?
4 calories
What is the formula for calculating personal protein needs?
convert weight to pounds by dividing by 2.2 = kgkg x .8 = g/day
What are the best food sources for protein?
dried beans, peanut butter, nuts, soy because they can serve as meat alternatives without the cholesterol and saturated fat of meat
what are the risks of consuming too little protein?
loss of bone mass
PEM- protein energy malnutrition
kwashiorkor- severe deficiency of dietary protein
marasmus - severe deficiency of calories
marasmic kwashiorkor- worst of both conditions
What are the risks of getting too much protein in your diet?
Increase risk of kidney stones, calcium loss from bones, can displace other nutrient and fiber-rich foods (whole-grains, fruits, vegetables), associated with high saturated fat and cholesterol and lower in fiber, increased risk of heart disease, cancer, obesity, and diabetes
What is a vegetarian?
Someone who doesn’t include meat in their diet
What are the different types of Vegetarians?
Ovovegetarian - doesn’t eat meat, fish, poultry, dairy foods
Lactovegetarian- doesn’t eat meat, poultry and eggs
Ovolactovegetarian- doesn’t eat meat, fish, and poultry
vegan- doesn’t eat any animal foods, meat, fish, poultry, dairy foods, eggs.
semi-vegetarian- doesn’t eat meat, fish, and poultry on occasion
Know what types of health concerns vegetarians are at risk for…
Nutrient deficiencies (protein, iron, calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, zinc, riboflavin, omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin A)
What are the potential health benefits for vegetarian diets?
Veg diets are high in fiber, lower in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, stroke and obesity.
What are complete proteins?
Contain all 9 amino acidsMeat, poultry, fish, eggs, diary products, soybeans
What are incomplete proteins?
inadequate amounts of essential amino acids (plant proteins, except soy)
How and where are proteins digested and absorbed?
Digested in the stomach with the help of stomach acids. They are then absorbed into the bloodstream in the small intestine with the help of villi and microvilli then go to the liver.
During which stages of human development is protein intake most important?
It is important for pregnant women to get an adequate intake of healthy protein for the development of the fetus, during childhood and teens to fuel growth.
What is protein complementing?
Protein complementation is the most efficient way to get all 9 amino acids into a vegetarian’s diet. Protein complementation is when you combine two vegetable proteins (legumes and grains for an example) to get all 9 amino acids that are essential for your body.
