In the human body, the content of protein in the right quantities is a natural necessity for its normal functioning. This component ensures the growth of absolutely all cells of the body due to the fact that it contains the necessary amino acids in sufficient quantities. Protein plays an important role in the replication of RNA and DNA molecules. What are the functions of proteins in the body? What enzymes are responsible for their breakdown? You will find answers to these and other questions in the article.
What is protein
Proteins are the most important nutritional elements for people contained in various foods. In another way, protein in medicine is also called protein. It is this term that is very often found in the recommendations of experienced doctors.
What role do proteins play in the human body
Protein is very important for maintaining the muscle volume of the human body. It will also be useful in case of restoration of damaged tissue areas, which very often occurs with severe bruises or with frostbite and burns. Protein also does a great job of maintaining he althy hair or nails.
Protein is virtually essential for a good and stable functioning of the immune system.
What are the main functions of protein
So, what are the functions of proteins in the body? The following can be distinguished:
- catalytic function - with the help of it it is possible to control a particular chemical reaction occurring in biological systems;
- transport function - transfer to all organs and tissues of the oxygen they need;
- protective function is based on the fact that the protein in the blood has a tendency to coagulate, which protects the human body from excessive blood loss in case of possible injuries;
- contractile function is responsible for the contraction of the muscles of the human body with the direct participation of actin and myosin proteins;
- structural function ensures the formation of biomembrane cells;
- hormonal function conducts the correct division of nutrients within the body with the help of hormones;
- nutritional function provides with the help of proteins the right amount of calories for human life, and this is what gives him the opportunity to get the necessary energy and physical strength.
Who should eat the most protein
People who are actively involved in this or that sport are strongly advised by their doctors and trainers to eat foods that contain sufficient amounts of protein as much as possible. On average, according to research by doctors, professional athletes need a protein content of2 to 3 grams per 1 kilogram of their body.
Which foods contain the most protein in their composition
Most of the protein is found in soy - 100 grams of this product accounts for approximately 34 grams of protein. If we take other products as an example, then here its approximate content may differ significantly. Below are the main foods that contain sufficient protein, namely:
- cheese - from 14 to 20 grams per 100 grams of product;
- fish - 12 to 16 grams;
- meat - from 14 to 20 grams;
- beans and peas - in them, this figure is about 20 grams.
But in order for the body to receive protein in the required amount, it is much more efficient to eat meat and dairy-based dishes. The fact is that they contain high-grade amino acids. But with beans or peas, as well as with almost all products of plant origin, the situation is somewhat different. They contain within themselves an incomplete set of amino acids. Soy, unlike all other crops, does somewhat well here. The protein it contains has the most complete properties. After soy, lentil protein can also be isolated.
What negative consequences can lead to a lack and excess of protein in the body
If the body is not sufficiently saturated with protein, there may well be a violation of the liver, small intestine or pancreas. Also, this problem can have a negativeeffects on the functioning of the nervous system.
With an excess of protein, it is able to gradually accumulate in the body. Excess protein is processed by the liver into glucose and various nitrogenous compounds, which also has a very negative effect on the kidneys.
Some enzymes that break down proteins
But what to do to ensure that the level of proteins in the body does not exceed the required limits? An important role is played by enzymes that break down this component. The main enzymes that this "mission" is assigned to include sucrose, lactose and amylase. The proportion of amylase in this case is the largest part, about 90% of the total content of organic substances. It is a protein-digesting enzyme that does a great job with proteins that have complex carbohydrates in their chemical composition.
Protein breakdown in the stomach
Protein breakdown in the stomach is a multi-stage process. About 97% of proteins that have undergone cleavage are absorbed in the form of free amino acids directly into the human blood.
The gastrointestinal tract, thanks to its enzyme apparatus, easily breaks down proteins into the so-called peptide bonds of molecules. All this happens in stages, and also exclusively in a selective manner. In the case of detachment of one amino acid from a protein molecule, a peptide and an amino acid are formed. After that, after a certain time, another amino acid is cleaved from the peptide, then the next one. A similar action occurs until the molecule is completely, without residue,will not be broken down into amino acids.
Pepsin: function and main action
Pepsin has its main purpose in the human body, associated with the correct distribution of food, as well as its further conversion into peptides and various amino acids. In the stomach, pepsin is formed as a result of the natural synthesis of the pepsinogen proenzyme.
Protein, both of vegetable origin (obtained from eating peas, beans and other crops), and from meat, cheese, milk and other products obtained from animals, is easily broken down by pepsin.
What properties does pepsin have? It has an interesting feature. The fact is that pepsin is able to curdle milk, converting it into casein and caseinogen. Cheeses and other milk-based products are often made this way.
Pepsin is also widely used in medicine. They can treat diseases such as stomach ulcers, chronic gastritis, stomach cancer. Pepsin, whose function is now being considered, is quite effective for problems with the digestive tract. In this case, it is used as a kind of replacement therapy.
When using pepsin (an enzyme that breaks down proteins) inside, it is necessary to take into account its high activity in an acidic environment. If the acidity of the stomach is reduced, you should definitely use this drug. If pepsin is in the form of a powder, then it should be diluted in 100 ml of water or in hydrochloric acid (1-3% solution), and if in the form of a tablet, then dissolved in water.
Doctors recommend using pepsin 2 to 3 times a day. And it is advisable to do this before eating. The average dose is from 0.2 to 0.5 grams. However, for a child, it should be significantly reduced - it will be enough for him to use from 0.1 to 0.08 grams of this medicine.
A person suffering from gastritis or a stomach ulcer will not benefit from the action of pepsin. In this case, its use is strictly prohibited.
Trypsin: enzyme function
What is trypsin? This is another kind of enzyme that breaks down proteins and peptides. At the same time, it has the function of hydrolyzing esters. The main function of trypsin is that it perfectly controls the digestive process.
Treats trypsin diseases such as bronchitis, pneumonia, sinusitis. It can also be used for burns, in the presence of various purulent wounds, as well as after operations. In dentistry, for diseases of the oral cavity, this drug is also very useful.
Side effects that may occur with trypsin are associated with an increase in body temperature. If trypsin was administered by inhalation, irritation of the upper respiratory tract mucosa may occur.
Use trypsin, the function of which is discussed in the article, preferably no more than twice a day for 0.01 grams. Children are recommended to use it once a day, and only 0.0025 grams.
At the wound after it has been treated with alcohol or green paint, you can also apply trypsin-soakedcanvas. Such a canvas should be in the damaged area for at least a day. In this situation, trypsin (an enzyme that breaks down proteins and peptides) serves as a kind of protection against various kinds of infections.
Protease
Protease is an enzyme, or rather a whole group of enzymes that are found in gastric juice. They, in turn, are produced by the pancreas. In addition, protease is also present in the intestine. The main function of the protease is the efficient breakdown of protein in the body.
Main proteolytic enzyme pancreatin
There are a number of enzymes that are actively involved in the process of digestion, and also successfully relieve any inflammatory processes. These also include pancreatin, which minimizes the negative impact of a person's allergy to certain products. Also, if internal diseases occur, pancreatin is best suited for their treatment. However, people who experience enzyme deficiency are advised to use those drugs that contain several different enzymes. They can be safely classified as active biological additives. But such medicines must be taken very carefully and at the same time a certain frequency must be observed. It is advisable to still do this on the urgent recommendation of the attending physician in accordance with his prescriptions. It is not worth showing your own initiative in this situation. In particular, it is very dangerous to do this if a person is not endowed with certain knowledge in the field of medicine. Rememberself-medication can only aggravate the situation, and it is impossible to determine the lack of protein and enzymes in the body without medical intervention. Stay he althy!
