Protein Synthesis

The tissues of the body are under constant repair. The skin and all epithelial surfaces are being continually replaced, as are the red blood cells. Studies have shown that an adult man breaks down and synthesis about 400 gm of protein a day which is some 4-5 times the amount eaten in the diet.

The diet should supply all essential amino acids simultaneously. If one is missing at the time of protein synthesis, synthesis stops and the amino acids present are degraded and returned to the circulation for use elsewhere or to be excreted if unused.

Intake of the essential amino acids presents no problems for those people who regularly eat complete proteins such as meat, fish, poultry, cheese, eggs or milk as these foods contain ample amounts of all the essential amino acids. Alternatively, eating two incomplete protein foods from plants, each of which supplies the amino acids missing in the other will provide adequate protein.