Nicus
Welcome to Stellenbosch University

​​​​​​​The Nutrition Information Centr​e ​​of the 
University of Stellenbosch​ (NICUS)

Nutrients​

Proteins

  • Proteins primary function is the growth, repair and maintenance of body tissue
  • The body requires new protein everyday in order to keep the body tissues healthy.
  • In times of inadequate energy intake (either carbohydrate or lipids), proteins can also provide energy.
  • Proteins consist of amino acid chains.
  • Many amino acids linked together form a peptide, and many peptides linked together form a protein
  • They provide non-essential (that can be produced by the body) and essential amino acids (that cannot be produced by the body).

Amino acids -> peptides -> proteins

  • Proteins Performs various specific physiological roles in the body e.g. as part of blood, enzymes, some hormones, cell membranes and components of the immune system
  • Sometimes used to provide e​nergy