Proteins

Proteins are macronutrients consisting of long chains of amino acids. They are an important building block for the body and contribute to the development of muscles, skin, hair and nails. They are also involved in the production of enzymes, hormones and other substances that are essential for the proper functioning of the body. Proteins can be obtained from both animal and plant sources.

Where are proteins found?

Proteins are found in many different foods, from both animal and plant sources. Common sources of protein are:

Animal products such as meat, fish, eggs and dairy products
Plant products such as legumes, tofu, tempeh and quinoa
Nuts and seeds such as almonds, sunflower seeds and chia seeds
Cereal products such as oatmeal and wholemeal bread
Milk and milk products such as cheese and yoghurt

Proteins and digestion

Proteases are digestive enzymes that play a crucial role in the breakdown of proteins in our body. They break down the long chains of amino acids that form proteins into smaller peptides and ultimately into individual amino acids. This process begins in the stomach, where the enzyme pepsin becomes active and breaks down proteins into smaller pieces.

In the small intestine, other proteases play a role in the further breakdown of proteins.

This breakdown is essential because the body needs the smaller amino acids for various functions, such as muscle building, cell repair and the production of enzymes and hormones. Without sufficient proteases, proteins cannot be digested properly, which can affect the efficient absorption and utilisation of amino acids.

When proteases function optimally, the amino acids released from the proteins can be efficiently absorbed through the intestinal wall and used by the body for energy and repair.