Protein Flashcards
Primary function
For the growth, repair and maintenance of all body cells and tissues
Secondary function
If someone doesn’t have enough carbohydrate or fat in their diet for the production of energy, protein will be used for energy to keep that person alive
Babies and children require a lot of protein for their size b/c…
Their rapid growth (growth spurts)
Adolescents require protein for…
Rapid growth (growth spurts)
Pregnant women require more than normal to cater for…
The growth of the developing baby and repair and maintenance for the mother
Nursing mothers require more than normal for.…
The production of milk (lactation: breast feeding)
Proteins are made up of…
Amino acids
The types of amino acids
Indispensable amino acids (IAAs)
Dispensable amino acids
Indispensable amino acids
- must be included in the diet
- 10 required by children
- 8 required by adults
Dispensable amino acids
- not essential in the diet as they can be made in the body
… ……… …… …… …… supply all the IAAs in the quantities required by the human body
High biological value protein foods
Examples of high biological value protein foods
Animal foods: Meat Fish Eggs Dairy products (cheese, yoghurt, milk) Poultry
Exception: gelatine is an LBV food
… ……… …… …… …… lack one or more of the IAAs
Low biological value protein foods
Examples of low biological value protein foods
Plant foods: Breakfast cereal Nuts and pulses Bread Rice Pasta Oats
Exceptions: soya beans and products e.g. soya milk, tofu, quorn are all HBV foods
Protein complementation
When an LBV food is eaten with a protein food containing the missing amino acid (the limiting amino acid). The other food could be another LBV food or an HBV food.
