The Role of Nitrogen-containing Substances in Food and Human Metabolism

Abstract

The role of nitrogen-containing substances in human metabolism is attributed mainly to the class of amino acids. They are supplied by food protein and their main function is to synthesize body proteins. The protein requirement, the nutritional quality offood proteins, the methods of evaluating them, and the technologies adapted to preserve this nutritional quality are very well-known. The supply of adequate protein intake to the different groups of healthy populations for growth and maintenance is now more of an economic problem than a scientific one. – In addition to their role in protein synthesis, the amino acids, depending on the way to provide them (as free amino acids, peptides or proteins) or on their origin (vegetable or animal) or on their dietary level, or on their specific effect on metabolism or functions may be utilized by their modulation in the diet to correct or treat pathological situations relative to behaviour, allergy, infection, stress or several cases of metabolic diseases. Long-term studies are necessary to evaluate the biochemical evidences and control the effectiveness.