nutritive value: The protein in the diet should be derived from different sources such as cereals, pulses, nuts and oilseeds, milk and flesh foods. Since animal proteins possess, in general, a higher nutritive value than vegetable proteins, the diets of children, expectant and nursing mothers should in particular, contain large amounts of proteins derived from milk, eggs and fleshy foods. The protein requirements depend on age and physiological state of the individual. The ICMR recommended dietary allowance for Indians is shown in table .
. . Effects of protein deficiency Diseases due to the deficiency of proteins and calories occur commonly among weaned infants and pre-school children in India and other developing countries. .
. Protein Energy Malnutrition Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) is defined as a range of pathological conditions arising from coincident lack of varying proportions of protein and calorie, - - Proteins and lipids Table . : Functions of proteins Build and repair body tissues Proteins form integral parts of most body structure such as skin, tendon, membranes, muscles, organs and bones. They support the growth and repair of body tissues.
Regulation of body processes: Proteins are required for highly specialized functions in our body. These proteins are as follows: a. Immune proteins Antibodies, necessary for immunity reactions, are protein in nature. Resistance to disease is an immunological response.
b. Hormones Regulates body processes. Hormones such as adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and insulin, are protein in nature c. Enzymes All enzymes are protein in nature and are required at every step of digestion, absorption, and metabolism d.
Nucleoproteins These govern the synthesis of all body proteins (e.g) Histones, protamine e. Contractile proteins Actin and myosin are responsible for the action of muscles. f. Blood proteins Haemoglobin is a protein which carries oxygen.
Other proteins found in blood are lipoproteins, transferrin, serum albumin and immunoglobulins. Serum albumin is also responsible for regulating osmotic pressure and maintaining the fluid balance of the body g. Specific functions Some amino acids have specific and specialized functions in the body • Tryptophan is a precursor of niacin and serotonin. Methionine supplies labile