Proteins are important molecules that help repair and build body tissues. They aid in driving embolism, strengthening the immune system, and maintaining pH and fluid balance. Proteins also provide our bodies with energy. Proteins are molecules made of amino acids that join together to make long chains of different sizes and shapes. In this article, we will look at the different roles of proteins in the human body.
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Growth and Maintenance
Proteins mostly facilitate a body’s growth. For a person to remain healthy, the body needs to grow while the tissues must be maintained constantly. Proteins maintain your tissues and make sure your body keeps growing. In everyday events, a body breaks down an equal amount of protein that it spends to build or repair tissues. In other cases, like when exercising, during pregnancy, or when sick, the body breaks down more proteins than it can create, increasing your body’s needs. Athletes, older adults, and people recovering from surgeries need more protein than average individuals. With the doctor’s instructions, they might sometimes take protein supplements like beta-alanine, which helps increase levels of carnosine, which is responsible for anti-aging, immune support, and muscle building.
Acts as a Messenger
Some proteins act like hormones and chemical messengers, facilitating communication between tissues, cells, and organs. Typically, endocrine tissues produce these hormone proteins, which are then carried by the blood to the appropriate organs or tissues where they attach to cell surface protein receptors. Amines, steroids, proteins, and peptides are the three categories of hormones. The primary building blocks for the production of human hormones like insulin and glucagon are proteins.
Causes Biochemical Reactions
Proteins, known as enzymes, help in many biochemical reactions within and outside the body’s cells. The enzyme has a structure that allows it to join with other particles inside the cell to catalyze reactions essential for metabolic activities. Some enzymes also work outside the cells to help in different body functions. For instance, digestive enzymes such as sucrose and lactase help digest body sugar. Some must also combine with other molecules like minerals and vitamins to react. Some body functions that rely on enzymes are blood clotting, digestion, muscle contraction, and energy production.
Provides Energy
Our bodies need energy for us to perform our daily chores. Proteins are essential elements that supply our bodies with energy. Proteins have four calories per gram, just like curbs, while fats have the most energy, nine calories per gram. The body does not always use proteins for energy unless necessary since proteins are valuable nutrients used for different purposes throughout the body. The body usually uses carbs and fats for energy since they are more quickly metabolized than proteins. Under normal circumstances, proteins supply the body with a small amount of energy but are more used for other purposes.
In conclusion, proteins are essential for our bodies. Proteins help with so many body functions. For instance, your body can not grow without proteins, and tissues cannot be well maintained without them. Proteins facilitate biochemical functions that keep our bodies strong and healthy. Although rarely, proteins are also used for energy production in cases where the body requires more energy than other molecules can produce.
