Benefits of Protein and Protein Functions
The Benefits of Protein are vast as it is literally the second most important element in your body. Find out if you have protein deficiency symptoms or if you are getting too much protein.Protein functions include being a part of every cell in your body and without protein your body would cease to function. Protein deficiency symptoms are not very common in America unless you are following a diet that restricts all animal foods. On the other hand, too much protein may be a problem with diets like the Atkins or Primal Diets.
Protein Functions
Protein is a "Macronutrient" which means that your body needs a good amount of this nutrient and protein is an important component of every cell in your body.Protein is an important building block of your bones, muscles, hair, skin, nails and blood. Your body also uses protein to make its enzymes, hormones, antibodies and neurotransmitters. This nutrient repairs and maintains every cell in your body. Protein controls many of the important processes related to your metabolism, body development, healing of wounds, and replenishment of lost blood. The benefits of protein will also provide you a source of energy in situations when fat and carbohydrate food sources are not providing enough calories. Proteins will be degraded to generate the calories your body needs.
Protein Deficiency Symptoms
In developed countries such as the USA, protein deficiency is not a serious problem unless you follow a deficient diet.In developing countries, protein deficiency called Kwashiorkor Disease is prevalent particularly in children. Children with this disease show an array of symptoms that are very similar to the usual protein deficiency symptoms: - Retarded or Slowed Growth
- Mental Disorders
- Loss of Hair and Skin Color
- Skin Rashes and Scaly Skin
- Brittle Nails
- Slow Healing of Wounds
- Poor Immunity
- Extreme Fatigue
- Poor Digestibility
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Diminishing of Blood Protein
- Low Blood Pressure
- Edema
- Liver Damage
- Lack of Muscle Tissue
- Flabby Muscles
- Weight Loss
Too Much Protein
The benefits of protein are numerous, but consuming excess protein beyond the requirements of your body can create ketones.When there isn't enough glucose in your bloodstream, your liver can release enzymes that attack the amino acids that are in your bloodstream and convert them into the usable energy glucose. Ketones are manufactured by your liver when too much protein is being used for energy or to produce glucose. This process will also create a toxin called ammonia that the liver must convert before it can be excreted. It has been said that a diet in which protein makes up more than 30% of your caloric intake may cause a buildup of ketones. These ketones can thrust your kidneys into overdrive in order to flush them from your body. As your kidneys try to rid your body of these ketones, you can lose a significant amount of water and become dehydrated. And dehydration can make you feel weak, dizzy, and give you bad breath. This process is also taxing to your liver and in the event there is still not enough glucose for use by your body, your liver will trigger the release of cannibalistic enzymes and hormones that will indiscriminately attack your blood and body proteins especially unused and weaker muscles.
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