Celiac Disease: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Gluten-Free Diet
What is Celiac Disease?
Celiac disease is a total and permanent intolerance to a set of proteins called prolamins, which are present in wheat, oats, barley, and rye.
It causes a severe injury to the small intestinal mucosa (villous atrophy), linked to a consequent malabsorption of nutrients important to the body. Population studies in Europe, and preliminary results in Argentina, suggest an incidence of about 1 in 200 people.
Celiac Disease Symptoms
The clinical symptoms of celiac disease can be variable
Read MoreAmino Acid Metabolism and Genetic Disorders: Key Facts
Amino Acid Pool and Protein Turnover
- The amino acid pool is supplied by three sources:
- Amino acids provided by the degradation of body proteins
- Amino acids derived from dietary proteins
- Synthesis of nonessential amino acids from simple intermediates of metabolism
- In healthy, well-fed individuals, the input to the amino acid pool is balanced by the output; that is, the amount of amino acids contained in the pool is constant.
- In healthy adults, the total amount of protein in the body remains constant because
Proteins: Structure, Functions, and Properties
Proteins: Essential Biomolecules in Cells
Structure and Composition
Proteins are organic molecules and the most abundant in cells, making up 50% of their dry weight. They are distributed throughout the cell and are fundamental structurally and functionally. Chemically, they are formed by Carbon (C), Oxygen (O), Hydrogen (H), and Nitrogen (N). Proteins are polymers formed by the union of amino acids through peptide bonds.
Classification of Proteins
Proteins can be classified into two main categories:
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