Benefits of Protein and
The Structure of Protein
The benefits of protein are vast as it is literally the second most important element in your body and the structure of protein is incredibly important to how well it will be able to build your body.
It is Your Rock - if you will
And it has been estimated that the human body may have the ability to generate about 2 million different types of proteins - which is astounding! The benefits of protein are being able to provide the amino acids that help to maintain your tissues and make new proteins.
Protein is very important for the creation of every new cell in your body and to preventing protein deficiency symptoms - which appears to be a problem in America because of dysfunctional diets.
Protein Deficiency Symptoms
- Lack of Muscle Tissue
- Flabby Muscles
- Trouble Building Muscle Mass
- Sluggish Metabolism
- Trouble Losing Weight or Weight Loss
- Poor Digestibility
- Increased Appetite
- Muscle, Bone, & Joint Pain
- Bone Fractures
- Loss of Hair & Brittle Nails
- De-pigmentation of Skin
- Diminishing of Blood Protein
- Extreme Fatigue
- Moodiness & Mood Swings
- Skin Redness & Flaky Skin
- Fatty Liver
- Low Immunity & Slow Wound Healing
- Edema
- Diarrhea or Constipation
- Poor Concentration
- Retarded or Slowed Growth
What are Denatured and Coagulated Proteins?
Applying high heat, acids like alcohol, loads of salt, or radiation to proteins destroys the hydrogen bonds which cause the amino acids of protein to fuse together and prevents them from being fully used by your body. The term "denatured" protein is used much more often than "coagulated" protein to describe this phenomenon.
However, when a protein is denatured, it actually means that the protein has lost its original 3 D shape and the bonds holding the helix shape of the protein has unravelled.
When a protein is coagulated, the protein strands begin to rejoin with other strands forming a solid mass. And since its shape has changed, the protein cannot function the same any more - whether its basic function was to be structural or functional.
Cooking your food can coagulate 50 to 100% of the proteins depending on how long and how much heat is applied to the food.
Eggs Whites: Non-Denatured & Non-Coagulated
Egg Whites: Denaturation & Coagulation Occurring
Egg Whites: Denatured and Coagulated
Denatured proteins is what happens before coagulated proteins. However, coagulated proteins will be much more visible than denatured proteins to the human eye.
Non-denatured proteins are functional proteins because they have not
lost their original shape and they are still soluble in water. Therefore, they can be used more easily
to create a great looking body.
What are Some Protein Functions?
Protein functions as a "macro-nutrient" which means that your body will need a good amount of this nutrient because protein is an important component of every cell in your body.
The benefits of protein include being important building blocks of your bones, muscles, hair, skin, nails and blood. And your body also uses protein to make its enzymes, hormones, antibodies, and neurotransmitters.
This macro-nutrient repairs and maintains every cell in your body. The benefits of protein also control many of the important processes related to your metabolism, body development, healing of wounds, and replenishment of lost blood.
The most important thing to remember about the benefits of protein is that it supplies the building blocks called amino acids. Amino acids are needed
by your body to make the numerous types of proteins which are necessary for the growth of your body, mind, and spirit.
Benefits of Protein - Structural or Functional Proteins
Even though there are many types of proteins, they are usually classified as either structural or functional proteins.
Structural proteins include collagen and keratin which are important building blocks for your nails, skin, hair, and your ligaments Functional proteins are responsible for making your hormones, receptor molecules, hemoglobin, antibodies, and vital enzymes.
Are You Consuming Enough Protein or Usable Protein?
The recommended daily allowance for protein is about 0.36 grams of protein per pound of body weight. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, you would need to consume 54 grams of protein per day to get the benefits of protein.
However, your personal need for protein will actually depend on your individual circumstances and needs.
For example, if you are an athlete, pregnant, an older adult, a growing teenager, or eating coagulated protein - you will probably need more protein to fulfil your daily requirements.
Raw Protein is More Bio-Available
Eating proteins in their raw state does not create the same problems as eating cooked proteins that are coagulated. Raw protein is more bio-available or usable to the body.
In order to get the benefits of protein, proteins need to be broken down into amino acids.
And your digestive enzymes cannot break down coagulated proteins into the essential amino acids which does put an extra load on your digestive system and your pancreas.
Protein functions are very dependent on the correct shape, so if you permanently change protein's shape by overcooking or even over-salting - it will be harder to receive the benefits of protein.
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