Why are proteins necessary in our food? Name one protein deficiency disease of young children.

Protein is an important component of every cell in the body. Our body uses protein to build and repair tissues, enzymes are mostly protein, hormones, and other body chemicals have protein as their integral component. Protein is an important building block of bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, and blood.

Kwashiorkor is a severe form of malnutrition, caused by a deficiency in dietary protein. The extreme lack of protein causes an osmotic imbalance in the gastrointestinal system causing swelling of the gut diagnosed as oedema or retention of water.