ABSTRACT
Body protein content is particularly affected during the aging process due to decreased food intake, impaired absorption and retention of dietary protein, and decreased body protein synthesis. These factors lead to a significant decrease in total body protein, with skeletal muscle reserves being primarily affected. The role of protein in food is to supply amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, from which the body can make its own proteins. Individual plant protein sources, unlike animal protein sources, lack one or more essential amino acids. Thus eating just one plant protein source may not be good enough to provide all essential amino acids to the human body. Sustained protein deficiency, usually accompanied by energy deficiency, leads to protein-energy malnutrition, the most widespread form of malnutrition world-wide. Protein is one of the many important nutrients the body needs to maintain health and vitality.
