Function of proteins in the human body

Proteins are one of the most important substances of which living organisms are composed. In the body, they have many different functions and act as structural or functional proteins (enzymes and hormones). A structural protein is involved in the construction of almost all structures of cells and tissues.

There it can take the form of a pore in the cell wall or serve as a translocator (transport function). They act as transcription factors in the cell nucleus, where they act as communicators for cell division and growth. In the following, a few illustrative examples are given.

For example, muscle contraction works with the protein complex “troponin“, which is chemically bonded to and released from its other troponin partners. Or on the outside of cells, where proteins act as receptors: if a pathogen docks there, the corresponding immune cell can devour the pathogen and render it harmless. Blood coagulation, on the other hand, also uses proteins in its enzyme function.

Enzymes – are proteins that cleave other substances and/or accelerate chemical reactions (as so-called catalysts). The substances to be cleaved can also be other proteins. They function according to the lock and key principle.

Each enzyme has exactly one target substance to which it can react. Enzymes are found in every metabolic pathway. For example, they break down all food components that we digest in the gastrointestinal tract.

Within a large protein they can cause a rearrangement of individual subgroups (then they are called isomerases). Or the ligases that repair and recombine damage to DNA by first splitting an energy-rich compound, as befits an enzyme. Hormones – proteins that act as messenger substances in the body.

They regulate many metabolic pathways, such as growth, reproduction and as a means of communication between the individual digestive organs. The best-known representatives are probably hormones such as insulin, adrenaline, the thyroid hormone thyroxine and the sexual organs estrogen and testosterone. Their transport medium is the blood and even low concentrations are sufficient for their target organs to react.

All forms that carry proteins are linked to each other. For example, a hormone (protein) has to be transported out of the cell via a pore (protein), at the target organ it binds to a receptor (protein) and can trigger the production of other hormones (protein) in the cell nucleus (protein biosynthesis). Protein supplementation is mainly found in strength and fitness sports and is the most frequently supplied food supplement for muscle building in this sector.

The spirits are already arguing about whether proteins should be taken before or after a workout in order to achieve the best effect and benefit as much as possible from supplementation. The time directly after training is in most cases seen as the most effective and sensible time to take proteins in shake or powder form. After training, the body is anxious to replenish its stores and form new cell structures.

Therefore the use of proteins is best at this time. Before training, the body has stored sufficient protein through the food supplied during the day and a large part of the supplements pass through the digestive system without being absorbed.After getting up, however, the intake of additional protein is much more worthwhile. The body comes out of the sleep phase in which it has not taken in any food, and without a supply of protein, muscle protein would possibly be used to produce energy.

In order to avoid this, supplementation with extra proteins is a good idea. In general, the dosage can be said that a person needs about one gram of protein per kg of body weight per day. Athletes have a naturally higher requirement due to the higher muscle mass and can cover this requirement by protein supplementation.

Studies have shown that 1.2 to 2 grams of protein per kg of body weight per day is a reasonable dosage for athletes. Protein supplementation can be useful not only for weight training, but also for weight loss, because an increased protein intake can help those affected. However, one should take care to drink enough fluid every day, water is best for this purpose.

If you have an increased protein requirement due to your sport, then you should still make sure to achieve one gram of protein per kg body weight per day through a balanced and healthy diet. Everything else that is needed and supplied in protein can come from food supplements. Supplementation with proteins is not a substitute for a balanced diet, you should always be aware of this.

Supplements should therefore only be used in the case of heavy loads, intensive sports and fitness units and during regeneration phases. Another point that should not be forgotten for a sensible protein supplementation is that the human body can only absorb 45 grams of protein per meal. If you take in larger amounts of protein, you will not get any further extra benefit from it.

In protein bars, the amounts of protein contained are usually between 20 and 35 grams. For the preparation of protein shakes, most manufacturers include an extra dosage spoon, which doses about 30 grams of protein for one shake. Who must get along without a dosage spoon, can calculate with approx. ten gram protein per tablespoon and thus control its supply.