Question

Question: The relationship between protein and health is complex. Functional protein deficiency states can ... The relationship between protein and health is complex. Functional protein deficiency states can lead to significant disease processes, and yet there is also clinical evidence that certain proteins may be linked to the development of chronic conditions such as cardiac disease. How can protein be considered to be both beneficial and detrimental at the same time? Is it a matter of consuming more protein or quality protein?

Answer 1

Proteins are found throughout our body and are one of the most important components for the functioning of our body. Proteins are classified as structural or functional proteins. Structural proteins are responsible for making different structural components in our body such as bones, muscles etc. Functional proteins are responsible for carrying out important functions in the body. Examples of functional proteins are- antibodies fight the infections or hemoglobin transports oxygen around the body. Proteins are made from building blocks known as amino acids. Our body makes amino acids either from scratch or by modifying other amino acids. A few amino acids are known as essential amino acids which a human body must get from the food.

It is also important to note that animal sources of protein tend to deliver all the amino acids we need while plant sources lack some of the essential amino acids. Since some proteins are built only from amino acids that come from food, therefore, these proteins are mistakenly associated with these foods. It is suspected that protein from animal sources contributes to an increased risk of heart disease, since people who eat diets high in animal protein usually suffer more heart attacks than people who get their protein mainly from plant sources. But, the reason behind this is different from what its generally thought. It has been found that many foods of animal origin, such as meats and dairy products, contain saturated fatty acids. So it is highly likely that it is the fat content of diets high in animal protein that causes an increase in heart attacks, not the protein. Therefore, it is probably not the consumption more proteins that can give you heart disease, it is most likely the co-components of high protein diet that are detrimental to your body.

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