Lesson 1: Introduction
Building Blocks: Proteins
They are a class of complex nitrogenous compounds naturally occurring in plants and animals and yield amino acids when hydrolyzed. Proteins are composed of oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur and iron. Foods rich in protein consist of various kinds of amino acids. Protein molecules are composed of 22 naturally occurring amino acids. There are two kinds of amino acids - essential amino acids and non-essential amino acids. Essential amino acids cannot be synthesized by our body and hence need to be obtained through our diet. Non-essential amino acids can be synthesized by our body. The essential amino acids are- isoleucine, leucine, lysine, phenylalanine, methionine tryptophan, threonine and valine.
Foods rich in protein such as meat, poultry products, dairy products, tempeh and tofu provide all the essential amino acids needed by our body for proper functioning. Lacto-ovo vegetarians or non-vegetarians, if the above food products are consumed, need not worry about the intake of essential amino acids, as they provide it all. Those who are strictly vegetarians may face a problem in obtaining all the essential amino acids required by our body. Hence, for such people, they can combine foods. Combining foods can help them acquire all the amino acids. The best and simplest idea for combining foods for such people is to combine grains with beans or seeds for consumption. For example, brown beans with aduki beans. Some more examples are soybeans with sesame seeds.
Proteins play a vital role in the growth and maintenance of our body. They are a source of heat and energy to the body. Proteins are required for the growth and repair of tissues. Deficiency of proteins leads to PCM (protein-calorie malnutrition). Example of PCM is Marasmus, a disease related to food deficiency due to starvation and hence results in the loss of energy and tissue wasting. Consumption of excess alcohol also leads to protein deficiency, which leads to a disease called Cirrhosis, which is now listed as one of the top ten degenerative diseases in the United States leading to death.
Children are more likely to suffer from the effects of starvation compared to adults. According to United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), malnutrition is found to be the major cause of mortality of more than 6 million children, most of which are under the age of five years. Kwashiorkor is also related to the protein-calorie malnutrition. Kwashiorkor is found to occur when a child is weaned later than normal and receives starchy foods, which are lower in protein content. In this ailment, the child’s abnormally low body weight is masked by the water retention, which makes the face appear moon-shaped and the belly is swollen.
