In the human body, the protein content 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 in sufficient quantities the necessary amino acids. 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 nutrients for people found in various foods. In a different way, protein in medicine is also called protein. This term 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 muscle volume in 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. Also, the protein copes well with maintaining a healthy state of hair or nails.
For a good and stable functioning of the immune system, protein is virtually indispensable.
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 what is happening in biological systems of a particular chemical reaction;
- transport function - transfer to all organs and tissues of the oxygen they need;
- the 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 provides the formation of biomembrane cells;
- hormonal function carries out the correct separation of nutrients within the body with the help of hormones;
- the nutritional function provides with 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 a particular sport are strongly recommended by their doctors and trainers to eat as much food as possible, which contains a sufficient amount of protein. On average, according to research by doctors, professional athletes need a protein content of 2 to 3 grams per 1 kilogram of their body.
What foods contain the most protein
Most of the protein is found in soy - about 100 grams of this product is about 34 grams of protein. If we take other products as an example, then its approximate content can differ significantly. Below are the main products that contain enough protein, namely:
- cheese - from 14 to 20 grams per 100 grams of product;
- fish - from 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 protein to enter the body in the required amount, it is much more efficient to eat meat and milk-based dishes. The fact is that they contain complete amino acids. But with beans or peas, as well as with almost all products of plant origin, the situation is somewhat different. They contain an incomplete set of amino acids. Soya, unlike all other crops, is somewhat successful here. The protein that it contains has the most complete properties. After soy, lentil protein can also be distinguished.
What negative consequences can lead to a lack and excess of protein in the body
If the body is not sufficiently saturated with protein, a violation of the liver, small intestine or pancreas may well be observed. Also, this problem can have a negative effect on the functioning of the nervous system.
With an excess of protein, it is able to gradually accumulate in the body. The liver processes excess protein into glucose and a variety of nitrogenous compounds, which is also very negatively displayed on the kidneys.
Some enzymes that break down proteins
But what should be done so that the level of proteins in the body does not exceed the necessary limits? An important role is played by enzymes that break down this component. The main enzymes on which this “mission” is assigned include sucrose, lactose and amylase. The proportion of amylase in this case is a large part, about 90% of the total content of organic substances. This is an enzyme that breaks down proteins, which copes 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 the proteins that have been cleaved are absorbed as free amino acids directly into 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 amino acid are formed. After this, another amino acid is cleaved from the peptide after a certain time, then the next one. A similar action occurs until the molecule is completely, without residue, is cleaved to an amino acid.
Pepsin: function and main action
Pepsin has its main purpose in the human body, associated with the proper distribution of food, as well as its further transformation into peptides and various amino acids . Pepsin is formed in the stomach as a result of the natural synthesis of the pepsinogen proenzyme.
Protein of plant origin (obtained from the use of peas, beans and other crops), and from meat, cheese, milk and other products obtained from animals, is easily broken down with pepsin.
What properties does pepsin have? It has an interesting feature. The fact is that pepsin is able to curl milk, converting it into casein and caseinogen. In this way, cheeses and other products based on milk are often produced.
Pepsin is also widely used in medicine. They can treat diseases such as stomach ulcers, chronic gastritis, and stomach cancer. Pepsin is quite effective, the function of which is now being considered, and with problems with the digestive tract. In this case, it is used as a kind of replacement therapy.
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, this drug should be consumed without fail. 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 effects 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. Moreover, it has the function of hydrolysis of esters. The main function of trypsin is that it perfectly controls the digestive process.
Treats trypsin diseases such as bronchitis, pneumonia, sinusitis. It can 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 fever. If trypsin was administered by inhalation, irritation of the upper respiratory tract mucosa may occur.
Apply trypsin, the function of which is considered in the article, preferably no more than twice a day at 0.01 grams. Children are recommended to use it once a day, with only 0.0025 grams.
After treatment with alcohol or brilliant green, it is also possible to apply a web soaked in trypsin. Such a canvas should be in a damaged place for at least 24 hours. In this situation, trypsin (an enzyme that breaks down proteins and peptides) serves as a kind of protection against various infections.
Protease
Protease is an enzyme, or rather, a whole group of enzymes that are in the gastric juice. They, in turn, are produced by the pancreas. In addition, protease is also present in the intestines. The main function of the protease is the effective breakdown of protein in the body.
The main proteolytic enzyme pancreatin
There are a number of enzymes that are actively involved in the digestion process, as well as successfully remove any inflammatory processes. Pancreatin, which minimizes the negative effects of allergies in humans on certain products, also applies to them. Also, when internal diseases occur, pancreatin is best suited for their treatment.
However, people who are experiencing enzyme deficiency are advised to use 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 observe a certain frequency. It is still advisable to do this on the urgent recommendation of the attending physician according to his prescriptions. Take your own initiative in this situation is not worth it. In particular, it is very dangerous to do this if a person is not endowed with certain knowledge in the field of medicine. Remember, self-medication can only aggravate the situation, and it is impossible to determine the lack of protein and enzymes in the body without medical intervention. Be healthy!