Nutritional status in prenatal and early postnatal life plays a critical role in the development and homeostasis of the organism. Early malnutrition seems to alter the original programming of the organs, especially those dependent on specific developmental stages, which may result in long-term metabolic changes. 1,2 Proteins are substances found in higher amounts in the body, constituting approximately 10%-20% of the cell mass. Their actions are divided between structural components such as the formation of the cytoskeleton, collagen fibres and elastin and functional components such as participating in the composition of cellular enzymes, hormones and trophic factors which are essential for cell survival. 3

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