Proteins in the body are broken down into peptides and amino acids once they are digested. Proteins are necessary for tissue maintenance and replacement and overall growth. Protein may also be used for energy if the body cannot acquire it through other sources.
Complete and Incomplete Proteins
Proteins are considered complete or incomplete in their original form. Complete proteins provide essential amino acids when they are broken down. Examples of complete proteins include meat, eggs and dairy products. Incomplete proteins are those that lack essential amino acids, such as vegetables, beans and other plant products. However, incomplete proteins can be combined to create a complete protein such as corn and beans or rice and beans.
Amino Acids
When proteins are broken down by digestion, they provide the body with amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of the body's metabolic processes. They catalyze almost all of the reactions in living cells and control all cellular processes. Your body naturally produces 10 of the 20 necessary amino acids. The other 10 must be obtained through the food you eat.
Nitrogen Balance
The body is constantly losing proteins and adding proteins. Nitrogen balance is the measurement of the body's use of proteins versus the amount of protein loss. Positive nitrogen balance, or a net storage of proteins, occurs during childhood growth, pregnancy, muscle-building and healing. Negative balance, or loss of protein, occurs during illness, burns, starvation, trauma or amino acid deficiency.
Growth
Protein-rich foods contribute the amino acids necessary to build and repair muscles, make hormones, sustain the immune system and help hair and nails grow. Athletes sometimes think they need excessive protein to build muscle. According to The Cleveland Clinic, training and proper diet actually do more to build muscle than overloading on protein and amino acid supplements. In fact, consuming too much protein can lead to dehydration and increased need to urinate, diarrhea, calcium loss from bones and kidney damage.
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