Functions of proteins: understand why they are so important

Proteins are fundamental macronutrients for the human body and play a very important role in maintaining health . Therefore, knowing the main functions of proteins is essential for you to understand the importance of a healthy diet that contains this macronutrient.

A lack of adequate protein for our body can cause several health problems. Among them is the loss of lean mass, decreased immunity and worsening of the time needed for injuries to heal . Therefore, it is worth learning more about it.

Do you want to know what the functions of proteins are and why they are so important for our body? So continue reading the text and learn!

What are proteins?

Proteins are molecules made up of long chains of amino acids formed by peptide bonds , which you can think of as the building blocks of proteins. There are around 20 amino acids that make up proteins, and they can have different compositions.

In general, the human body can produce approximately 10 amino acids on its own. The remainder, the so-called "essential amino acids" must be obtained through diet or supplementation. Proteins considered to be of high quality have all the essential amino acids for our body. Especially in the plant kingdom, it is important to pay attention to the so-called "aminogram", which is precisely the set of amino acids that make up the protein, as it is usually not complete.

Adequate protein consumption is essential to stay healthy . They help maintain and increase muscles, promote an improvement in the immune system and, in children and adolescents, help with growth and development.

What functions do proteins perform in our body?

You have already learned what proteins are and how important they are for a healthy body. Now it's worth learning in more detail what functions they perform. Check out how proteins work in our body below:

Tissue growth and maintenance

A well-known function of proteins is to help with the growth and maintenance of our body's tissues. They are part of the structure of several organs, including the brain, and also other tissues such as muscles and skin.

As you have seen, proteins are made up of chains of amino acids, they come together to form more complex structures, like the building blocks of our body's tissues. During the growth phase, proteins are used to build new tissues and repair damaged tissues.

During maintenance, proteins are constantly degraded and replaced by new proteins. This way, our body's tissues remain strong and functional . Furthermore, proteins serve to regulate the cellular activity of tissues and maintain their structure.

Biochemical reactions

Proteins also have important functions in biochemical reactions in the human body. Firstly, it is worth considering its role as an enzyme. Many proteins have this characteristic of molecules that accelerate certain chemical reactions. Therefore, they are not consumed during this acceleration process.

To speed up chemical reactions, they can reduce the activation energy. This means that the body needs less energy to carry out a given reaction. It is also worth knowing that enzymes act selectively, specifically choosing each biochemical reaction.

Another biochemical reaction inherent to proteins is the transport of molecules throughout our body . They can carry out this important work in one of their roles. A well-known example is hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen throughout our body.

Providing structure for the organism

Another function of protein is to provide structure for the entire organism of the human body. As you have already learned, they are essential for creating and maintaining fabrics.

Proteins are also part of the composition of the extracellular matrix. Together with other components, they encompass the cells and provide support and protection for each one. Thus, the matrix is ​​fundamental for the integrity of tissues and for helping in the communication and coordination of cells.

In addition to the extracellular matrix, proteins are part of the cellular structure itself. Certain proteins form muscle fibers, which provide strength , and others can be structural, providing support and stability to cells.

Energy supply

Finally, it is also worth knowing that proteins are a source of energy for our body. They are not as efficient as carbohydrates or fat, for example. But in the absence of these macronutrients, our body uses proteins as a way to obtain energy.

When other macronutrients are insufficient, our body is able to break down proteins into amino acids, which can be used as a form of fuel. They can also be converted into glucose or fat, creating an energy reserve for later use.

Therefore, it is important to emphasize that a healthy diet, including complete foods, is essential for our body. This way, it will not need to rely on proteins as a source of energy, and will be able to use it in its other functions in the body.

How to include proteins in your diet?

After knowing the functions of proteins, you must have realized their importance for a healthier life, right? Therefore, it is essential to know how to include them in your diet in a way that guarantees your well-being.

Another tip is to use protein supplements, such as Mahta superfood powder . It is a pure, complete and very tasty powdered food. Mahta Superfoods has more than 15 Amazonian superfoods, providing complete nutrition for the body and mind.

In this way, it can guarantee a source of protein that is optimal for your health, with a plant-based base of natural foods, gluten-free, lactose-free and low in carbohydrates. Each serving has 14 grams of complete protein, providing a relevant amount for just one meal.

In addition to being a source of protein, Mahta's superfood helps regulate your intestines , feeding your intestinal microbiota and does not contain sugar or artificial sweeteners. Furthermore, there are no empty calories, which helps you maintain your weight by preventing the accumulation of fat.

Now you know what the main functions of proteins are. As you noticed, they are essential macronutrients for the body as a whole and perform a wide variety of important tasks for your health. Therefore, always ensure adequate protein intake from a variety of sources to ensure a healthier life.

Are you interested in discovering Mahta’s products? So visit our website to have a healthier diet!