Sports Nutrition - HECO 336....

Amino Acids
    Amino acids are the building blocks of protein.  There are 20 amino acids which are important in human nutrition of these nine are considered essential (must be obtained from the diet).

Essential Amino Acids

Protein Structures

The basic structure of an amino acid consists of four parts attatched to a central carbon:
1. an amino group   NH₂            N-H
                                            H

2. carboxyl group (acid)  COOHC=O
                                                     \
                                                      OH

3. a hydrogen  H

 4. a side chain  ?  [the side chain is unique for each amino acid]

                       Structure  Amino Acid
                                             ?
                                      HN-C- C=O
                                        H  H \
                                                OH
 

Proteins are formed when amino acids are linked together in chains.  These chains have four levels of structure, each level is important to the final function of the protein.

Primary Structure
The sequencing of the amino acids

Secondary Structure
    The formation of hydrogen bonds between amino acids in the chain causing bends and curves in the structure. There are three types of secondary structures:

alpha helix   -  like the structure of DNA
pleated sheet - looks like ribbon candy
random coil -  looks like a dismantled ball of string
 

Quartinary Structure
    A final structure with a specific shape created by increasing the number and types of bonds formed between amino acids. These structures fall into two categories - globular proteins or fibrous proteins

Links
 

Beef

Pork

Poultry

Fish

Eggs

 

Protein Complementation

                                                       Grains + Legumes  =  red beans & rice
                                       Grains + Nuts and Seeds = bread with peanut butter
                                           Legumes + Nuts and Seeds = Tofu almond stirfry
                                                          Vegetables + any other plant group
                                                      Any plant product with animal protein
 
 
 

Incomplete Proteins

     Incomplete proteins are missing one or more essential amino acid or the concentration of an EAA is too low to meet needs.  Most plant proteins are incomplete proteins, although some like soybeans come very close to being complete.  In fact, three of the four methods used to determine protein quality rate soybeans equal to beef.

                Links

Protein Complementation
    The process of protein complementation combines plant proteins from different families (categories like grains and legumes) to make a combined protein profile which contains enough of all of the essential amino acids.

Vegetarian Food Guide Pyramid

 The Vegetarian Resource Group

Calculate your protein requirements:

    Multiply your weight in kg x 0.8 g pro/kg body weight

Remember, to covert your weight in pounds to kilograms divide pounds/2.2kg per pound.

 Protein Requirements for Athletes

Aerobic Athletes
    Anaerobic Athletes
Diets that Meet Protein Needs
Very high Protein Diets
The Zone Diet
Atkins" Diet

Copyright © 2000 Department of Human Ecology [HECO] , The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.  All rights reserved.
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 Last Modified: Jul 18, 2000