Protein Function
Building Blocks for Tissue
Proteins are the main building blocks for tissues including muscle, hair, nails, skin, eyes, internal organs, nerves, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and membranes. They are also the building blocks of cells, cellular membranes, and organelles--all the way to the level of DNA and genes.
Metabolic Functions
Amino acids come together in thousands of combinations. Each combination can also arrange itself into many possible shapes. This creates virtually unlimited possible types of protein molecules. These proteins are used in many ways to communicate different types of information throughout the body. For instance, they are used as a kind of memory in the immune system: antibodies are formed to remember an invading organism so an immune response will be ready for the next possible encounter.
Calories per Gram
Like carbohydrates, proteins have 4 calories per gram. You can use the simple formula below to calculate calories.
Grams protein x 4 = calories