Question

nutriton

We know already that protein should make up approximately 10-35% of the total dietary intake for most people. We also know that protein serves MANY functions inside of the body.

My question to you: Even though proteins are so important and necessary in the body, why is it that we only require 10-35% ingested each day?

It is a diet for the cell . the protein we take goes straight towards the muscle and it helps increase the muscle

Protein & Special Diets (6 pts)

How might the protein recommendations be different from “normal” in the following situations:

Following surgery

In an elderly person

Someone living in a 3rd world country

Answer 1

Q1) Body requires six essential nutrients for their overall function, they are - Protein, Fat, Carbohydrate, vitamins, minerals and water. Among them three are Macronutrients and three are Micronutrients. These macronutrients gives us calories or the energy for functioning. It is recommended that most of the calories should come from carbohydrates, as they are easy to breakdown and can give instant energy for the requirement of body, as a result the recommended percentage for carbohydrate is 45-65 percent of daily calorie intake. 4 calories of energy generated from each gm. of carbohydrates. Fat occupies the second position of body’s nutritional requirement the permitted amount is 20-35 % of daily calorie, each gm. of fat generates 9 calories of energy. Protein requirement is 10-35%, each gm. of protein yields 4 calories of energy.

Carbohydrates are necessary for a healthy body. They give instant energy to our body, especially to the central nervous system and brain, and they protect against diseases.

Fat the second essential macronutrients, supports many other functions of body like they help in vitamin and mineral absorption, blood clotting, building cells, and muscle movement. Though fat contains high calories, but they are important source of energy.

Proteins are the building blocks of the body, all cells like muscles, bone, skin, hair etc. contains protein.

16 percent of the average person’s body weight is made up of protein. It is essential for growth, health, and body maintenance.

All hormones, antibodies, and other important substances are made up protein. Protein is not used to fuel the body when it is necessary.

Proteins are made of up different amino acids. While the body can create some amino acids on its own, there are certain essential amino acids which only comes from food. Though protein is an essential component of all cell, still the amount of intake is kept 10-35% because, excessive protein leads to a build- up of amino acids, insulin or ammonia blood stream.

Excessive protein intake may lead to gain weight. Besides this protein intake produces ammonia, a toxin which liver makes harmless. Eating excess protein for a long period of time can overwork the liver, leading to building up of ammonia and other toxic substances in the bloodstream.

Besides this the high-protein foods especially from animal sources, contains high amount of cholesterol, which makes the arteries harder as a result it leads to serious medical conditions, like heart attack and stroke. Due to these reasons the protein intake content is kept in 10-35% limit per day.

Q1 b) Case-1:- Post surgery the protein intake should be high.

Explanation- Collagen, the most abundant protein found in the body, plays an important role in repairing the damaged tissues. The normal protein intake is around 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight. But, after surgery, the amount of protein intake should increase 1.5- 2.0 grams per kg body weight as the demands for protein is higher for tissue repair.

Case-2 In an elderly person- Protein intake should be more

Explanation- protein is necessary for muscle mass, as with aging people loose muscle mass so to keep them fit more protein intake is necessary, as well as in case of injuries there body requires more protein for healing purpose, lack of responsiveness in elderly persons can also be overcome by higher levels of protein intake.

Case-3 Someone living in third world country needs more proteins.

Explanation- People living in third world countries like in Africa, there people suffer from mal nutrition and poverty, to fulfil the nutritional requirement of body, the intake of protein should be more, which will prevent them from diseases and help in increasing muscles mass.