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Meat
is a very efficient deliverer of protein. Because the muscles of
animals and humans share the same components, eating animal tissue
is an easy way to get this necessary nutrient.
Proteins are made up of amino acids. Amino acids
determine the structure and function of proteins. Among other
things, amino acids help build cells and repair tissue, form
antibodies, and carry oxygen throughout the body.
There
are twenty-two known amino acids, eight of which are called
essential, meaning that our bodies can't manufacture them and
must get them from the foods we eat. The table below shows the
essential amino acids, the function of the proteins they're found
in, and where you can get them in your diet.
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sulfur |
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nitrogen |
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carbon |
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hydrogen |
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oxygen | |
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PROTEIN FUNCTION |
ANIMAL SOURCES |
PLANT
SOURCES |
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blood-sugar regulation
growth and repair
of muscle
tissue
hemoglobin development
energy regulation
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beef
dairy
eggs
fish
poultry |
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almonds
lentils
seeds
soy
wheat |
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sulfur |
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nitrogen |
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carbon |
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hydrogen |
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oxygen | |
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PROTEIN FUNCTION |
ANIMAL SOURCES |
PLANT
SOURCES |
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blood-sugar regulation
growth and repair of muscle
tissue
hormone production
wound healing
energy regulation |
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beef
dairy
eggs
fish
poultry |
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almonds
brown rice
lentils
seeds
soy
wheat |
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sulfur |
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nitrogen |
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carbon |
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hydrogen |
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oxygen | |
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PROTEIN FUNCTION |
ANIMAL SOURCES |
PLANT
SOURCES |
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development and regulation of collagen,
antibodies, hormones, and enzymes
promotes calcium absorption
growth and repair of muscle tissue
lowers serum triglycerides |
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lima
beans
potatoes
soy
yeast |
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sulfur |
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nitrogen |
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carbon |
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hydrogen |
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oxygen | |
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PROTEIN FUNCTION |
ANIMAL SOURCES |
PLANT
SOURCES |
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may prevent arterial fat buildup
may act as an antioxidant
promotes collagen synthesis |
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beans
garlic
lentils
onions
soybeans |
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sulfur |
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nitrogen |
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carbon |
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hydrogen |
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oxygen | |
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PROTEIN FUNCTION |
ANIMAL SOURCES |
PLANT
SOURCES |
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neurotransmitter function
increases blood levels of norepinephrine,
epinephrine, dopamine |
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almonds
avocados
peanuts
seeds |
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sulfur |
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nitrogen |
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carbon |
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hydrogen |
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oxygen | |
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PROTEIN FUNCTION |
ANIMAL SOURCES |
PLANT
SOURCES |
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sulfur |
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nitrogen |
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carbon |
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hydrogen |
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|
oxygen | |
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PROTEIN FUNCTION |
ANIMAL SOURCES |
PLANT
SOURCES |
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precursor for serotonin (aids sleep and
combats anxiety)
niacin production |
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barley
brown rice
peanuts
soybeans |
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sulfur |
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nitrogen |
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carbon |
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hydrogen |
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oxygen | |
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PROTEIN FUNCTION |
ANIMAL SOURCES |
PLANT
SOURCES |
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growth and repair of muscle
tissue
energy regulation
niacin production |
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grains
mushrooms
nuts
soy |
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sulfur |
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nitrogen |
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carbon |
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hydrogen |
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oxygen | |
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PROTEIN FUNCTION |
ANIMAL SOURCES |
PLANT
SOURCES |
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growth
tissue repair
histamine development |
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Protein illustrations courtesy of San Diego Supercomputer
Center/ Step Program |
