• What is Protein?
• Function
• Signs of deficiency

What is Protein?
Protein is a complex organic compound made up of amino-acids which are synthesized by living systems. There are 20 different amino-acids commonly found in proteins and all but eight can be synthesized inside the human body. The eight amino-acids which cannot be synthesized by the human body are referred to as 'Indispensible Amino-Acids' or IAA by food scientists as they must be present in our daily diets. If one of the IAAs is missing it will affect the body's process of the others.

Flesh foods (meat, poultry and fish) and eggs and dairy produce all contain all eight of the IAAS. However, it is not normally a problem for vegans and vegetarians as although cereals, nuts and seeds tend to be high in the amino-acid 'methionine' but low in 'lysine' , pulses are rich in lysine but low in mehtionine. In this way, these two food groups complement each other very well and provide all eight of the IAAs.

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Function

Signs of deficiency

Best sources
Flesh foods (meat, poultry and fish) and eggs and dairy produce all contain all eight of the IAAS. However, it is not normally a problem for vegans and vegetarians as although cereals, nuts and seeds tend to be high in the amino-acid 'methionine' but low in 'lysine' , pulses are rich in lysine but low in mehtionine. In this way, these two food groups complement each other very well and provide all eight of the IAAs. For more details of vegetarian sources of protein click here. Soya is also an excellent source of protein. click here

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