What are proteins?
Especially in the world of sports we encounter the term protein almost daily. But what are proteins actually? Proteins are also known as proteins and are an important building material for various organs in the human organism.
They are building blocks of cells, tissues and organs. Probably best known is their role in muscle building. But proteins also function as enzymes or hormones and perform important tasks in the body. As one of the three macronutrients along with fats and carbohydrates, protein is also an important supplier of energy.
How does protein work in the body?
The building blocks of proteins are the so-called amino acids. If protein is supplied via food, it is broken down into its individual parts in several steps during digestion. Proteins are mainly digested in the stomach and small intestine; the pancreas supplies the enzymes that are important for this.
The individual amino acids are then delivered to the portal vein in the liver via the blood. Most of the important proteins are synthesized there. On the one hand, the splitting of the proteins provides the body with some energy, about 4 kilocalories per gram of protein.
In addition, proteins are needed for the construction of cells and are involved in the building of the cell support network. They are building materials for muscles, tendons and connective tissue, for example as the well-known protein collagen. As hormones, they are important proteins are essential for the body and should be supplied in sufficient quantities as part of a balanced diet. Both vegetable and meat sources can serve as protein suppliers.
- Messenger substances
- Signal molecules and
- Enzymes through which they catalyze other metabolic processes.
- In the form of antibodies, they are part of the immune system and involved in the defence against infections.
- They sit on the membrane of cells and are involved in signal transduction.
