1. Transportation
of nutrients to the right places: Proteins make very efficient carriers,
enabling nutrients to go to the right tissues.
2. Growth
and tissue maintenance: Protein is needed to build and maintain tissue. This is
one reason why the protein requirement for growing children can be twice that
of adults and slighter higher for athletes.
3. Hormone
production: Hormones control many chemical activities in the body, and these are
made of unique proteins, for example testosterone is a significant
tissue-building hormone.
4. Fluid
balance: Protein assist in controlling the fluid balance between the blood and
surrounding tissues; this helps people maintain blood volume and sweat rates
during physical activity.
5. Enzyme
and protein synthesis: There are hundreds of distinctive tissues and enzymes
that are proteins.
6. A
source of energy: The carbon in protein provides the same amount of energy per
unit of weight as carbohydrates.
Recommended Intake of Protein: 10-35% of total
calories
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