Introduction to Protein as

Macronutrient & its Importance in

Human Nutrition

Hira Akram PhD Scholar (Food and Nutrition)

Dept. Food Science and Human Nutrition

TABLE OF CONTENT
 Introduction
 Structures of protein
 Why so protein is important?
 Types of protein
 Sources of protein
 Protein requirements
 Deficiency of protein
 Treatment of protein deficiency

1
INTRODUCTION
 The word “protein” is derived from the Greek word
proteios meaning “primary”. Prior to "protein", other
names were used, like albumins or albuminous materials. 

 Proteins were first described by the Dutch chemist

Gerardus Johannes Mulder and named by the Swedish
chemist Jöns Jacob Berzelius in 1838.

 Early nutritional scientists such as the German Carl Von

Voit believed that protein was the most important
nutrient for maintaining the structure of the body,
because it was generally believed that "flesh makes flesh.
2
CONT’D
 “Proteins are complex organic nitrogenous
compounds and composed of carbon, hydrogen,
oxygen, nitrogen & sulphur in varying amounts”.

 Proteins are essential nutrients, building blocks &

fuel source for body. It provides 4 kcal (17 KJ) per
gram.

3
CONT’D
 Polypeptides are made by polymerization of
amino acids through peptide bonds.

 Big polypeptide chains containing more than 50

amino acids are called proteins.

4
CONT’D
 Out of the 20 amino acids needed by the human body,
8 are essential and 2 semi essential because the body
cannot synthesize them in amounts corresponding to
the needs and hence must be obtained from dietary
sources.

 Essential amino acids are- leucine, isoleucine, lysine,

methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, valine,
tryptophan

 Semi essential amino acids are- histidine and arginine.

5
STRUCTURES OF PROTEIN
 Protein have four different levels of structures:
1. Primary Structure
2. Secondary Structure
3. Tertiary Structure
4. Quaternary Structure

6
WHY SO IS PROTEIN IMPORTANT?
 Proteins are fundamental structural and
functional elements within body and are involved
in a wide range of metabolic interactions.

 All cells and tissues contain protein therefore

protein is essential for growth and repair and the
maintenance of good health.

7
CONT’D

 Protein provides the body with approximately 10

to 35% of its dietary energy.

 Protein can be found in all cells of the body and is

the major structural component of all cells in the
body, especially muscle. This also
includes body organs, hair and skin.

8
TYPES OF PROTEIN
 Complete proteins: These
foods contain all the essential
amino acids. They mostly occur
in animal foods, such as meat,
dairy, and eggs.

 Incomplete proteins: It
contains at least one essential
amino acid, so there is a lack of
balance in the proteins, such as
peas, beans, and grains.

9
TYPES OF PROTEIN
 Complementary proteins: It refers to two or more
foods containing incomplete proteins that people
can combine to supply complete protein.
 Examples are rice and beans or bread with peanut
butter.

10
SOURCES OF PROTEINS
 Animal sources: Milk and milk products , meat,
eggs, cheese and fish.
 Vegetable sources: Pulses, cereals, beans, peas
and legumes etc.

11
PROTEIN REQUIREMENTS

12
DEFICIENCY OF PROTEIN
 Protein deficiency occur due to low protein intake
in diet.

 Lack of protein diet is of major concern especially

for growing children.

 It can lead to malnutrition & even life threatening.

13
CONT’D
A deficiency can also arise if a person has a health
condition, such as:
 An eating disorder (anorexia nervosa)
 Certain genetic conditions
 The later stages of cancer
 Difficulty absorbing nutrients, due to gastric
bypass surgery

14
SYMPTOMS OF PROTEIN DEFICIENCY

Weak & sore Water Dry skin &

muscles retention rashes

Weight loss Nausea Bed Sores

Anxiety

15
DISEASES DUE TO PROTEIN DEFICIENCY

 Marasmus
 Kwashiorkor
 Cachexia

16
MARASMUS
 Marasmus is a disease caused by a severe deficiency
of protein and calories.

 Affect infants and very young children, often

resulting in weight loss and dehydration.

 Marasmus can develop into starvation and cause

death because of a lack of essential nutrients.

 People with marasmus appear bony with little

muscle tissue.
17
KWASHIORKOR
 Kwashiorkor is a disease caused by a severe
deficiency of protein in diets that contain calories
mostly from carbohydrates such as yams, rice and
bananas.

 It usually affects older children. People with

kwashiorkor appear puffy in the abdomen area
from retention of fluid.

18
CONT’D
 Common symptoms of kwashiorkor include:
 Fatigue
 Irritability
 Diarrhea
 Stunted growth
 Impairment of cognition and mental health.

19
KWASHIORKOR AND MARASMIC CHILD

20
CACHEXIA
 Cachexia is a “wasting” disorder that causes
extreme weight loss and muscle wasting, and can
include loss of body fat. 

 This syndrome affects people who are in the late

stages of serious diseases like cancer, HIV or
AIDS, COPD, kidney disease, and congestive heart
failure (CHF).

21
TREATMENT OF PROTEIN DEFICIENCY
 Protein supplements
 Protein shakes
 Proteinrich foods (Liver, Meat, Eggs, fish, yoghurt,
Oats, Seeds, Beans, Peas, Peanuts butter, cheese)

22
CONCLUSION
 Protein is very important because of various
functions it plays.
 Optimum and balanced amount is recommended.
 Its deficiency can cause severe diseases.
 Excess of everything is bad, high level of animal
protein is major cause of mortality more than CVD
and Cancer.

23
REFERENCES
 Introduction to Human Nutrition . 2nd
Edition. Edited by Micheal J Gibney
, Susan A Lanham-New. The Nutrition Society Text
Book Series
 https://www.livestrong.com/article/269901-a-list-
of-protein-deficiency-diseases/

24
THANK YOU