 |
Exposing the Best Source of Protein Myth
An American culture that is marked by a chronic lack of time and the need to achieve is often in pursuit of the "best" something or other. These "best" lists tend to improve time efficiency they help people make quick decisions without a lot of research or "trial and error". However, as with most inventions, there is a potentially harmful application of these very popular "best" lists. There are situations where the need to identify the best of something obscures the real truth that, quite simply, there is no single best ranking. In other words, the best of something is in reality a combination of many things. Within the world of nutrition, there arguably is not a more clear - and dangerous - expression of this truth then in looking at protein. The world of nutrition is not short on "best" opinions for sources of protein. Some camps lobby in favor of whey protein as the best, while others advocate soy. Some claim that meat and poultry are the best source of protein, while others swear that a plant-based item such as spirulina ranks at the top. There are so many opinions - each one claiming to support the best source of protein - that consumers are often left less informed after reading a few of them, rather than more educated. One of the reasons that the search for the best source of protein is so widespread is because of its critical importance within a healthy diet. All bodily functions are aided, directly or indirectly, by protein. In addition to being an essential energy source, protein is a component of every body cell, and among other vital contributions, helps in the creation, maintenance, and repair of muscle tissue[i]. Furthermore, it is widely accepted - regardless of view on the "best" source of protein - that a complete source of protein is required by all people, regardless of athleticism or mobility. This complete source of protein must reflect all 20 different amino acids that comprise protein. Since the body can only create 12 of them through its own synthetic production capacity, 8 amino acids - called "essential amino acids" -- must be obtained through diet[ii]. This is where the confusion ultimately lies, and the root cause of the ongoing confusion. Various groups claim that certain specific food sources, such as whey, milk protein, or calcium caseinate[1], respectively, is the single best source of protein. Surprisingly, however, a growing body of research is suggesting that that all of these views are incorrect. Rather, a variety of protein sources is proving to be the best. Unfortunately, accessing this variety of protein sources is a challenge for many consumers. Unless a consumer is very well versed in nutrition, possibly to the point of being considered an expert, he or she cannot confidently know if the variety of proteins are being eaten in any particular meal. Furthermore, some sources of protein - such as fast food burgers - may indeed contain a desired amount of essential amino acids, but the excessively high amount of calories, unsaturated fats, carbohydrates, and other unwanted elements make them a thoroughly unwise eating choice [iii]. The goal - one that has been sought for decades -- is therefore to identify a food source that provides consumers with a healthy, convenient, inexpensive, appetizing, and complete source of protein. Fortunately, despite significant delays in bringing a worthy product to the consumer marketplace - delays due to the scientifically pointless search for the single best source of protein -- there are some innovative nutritional supplements that are achieving this goal. These products offer consumers a complete amino acid profile derived from a combined mix of protein sources. Some of these evolved products - albeit a very limited number of them -- are even able to meet the other consumer criterion: convenience, affordability, palatability, low-calorie, and high nutritional (e.g. vitamin enriched) content. American health dialogue will continue to be populated with "best" lists, and in many ways, these lists are quite useful timesaving devices. However, there are obvious situations where the relentless pursuit of the "best" of something can actually cause more harm than good when there is, in fact, no "best" of something to speak of. In the world of protein and diet, this is clearly the case: there is no single best source of protein. Only a balanced mix of protein sources will achieve the goal of delivering the body's critical protein requirements. Fortunately, more nutrition experts are starting to acknowledge this scientific truth, and it is a trend towards intelligent health that is expected to continue. About Protica Founded in 2001, Protica, Inc. is a nutritional research firm with offices in Lafayette Hill and Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Protica manufactures capsulized foods, including Profect, a compact, hypoallergenic, ready-to-drink protein beverage containing zero carbohydrates and zero fat. Information on Protica is available at www.protica.com. You can also learn about Profect at www.profect.com. [1] Calcium caseinate is created via the acidification of skim milk. References [i] Source: "Protein in Diet". DiscoveryHealth.com.
http://health.discovery.com/encyclopedias/1931.html [ii] Source: "Essential Amino Acid".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essential_amino_acid [iii] Source: "Supersized Nation: Bigger Burgers Still Rule". WebMD.
http://my.webmd.com/content/article/98/104952.htm?action=related_link Copyright 2004 - Protica Research - http://www.protica.com
MORE RESOURCES:
|
Barbara Quinn: Nutrition for your pregnant daughterMonterey County HeraldAnd now that I'm pregnant, I have your nutrition advice on speed dial." (Whatever that means.) Poor thing. Her first three months of pregnancy were rough. Nothing stayed down and it wasn't so pleasant when it came back up. Lots of friends offered their ...and more » |
|
Preschool nutrition can be challengingSun-SentinelBy Dr. Sue Hubbard Preschool children, specifically the 2-to 5-year-old set, are notoriously picky eaters and parents need to recognize that this is developmentally appropriate, although frustrating. Preschool is an appropriate time to begin teaching ...and more » |
|
Liquid Nutrition Announces Major Franchise Deal in QuebecEON: Enhanced Online News (press release)TORONTO--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--Liquid Nutrition Group Inc. (“Liquid Nutrition” or “Company”) (TSX-V: LQD.V and LQD.WT) announced today a major franchise deal in Quebec which will more than double the number of Liquid Nutrition stores in the ...and more » |
|
There's an app for nutrition, fitness and moreYork Daily RecordBy RAYNA COOPER I replied to my co-worker's suggestion to write about mobile apps for tracking nutrition and fitness on smart phones and other devices with skepticism -- would readers be interested? As the months passed, I got my own device.and more » |
Google News
|
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
How Can Fat Be Essential?
How Can Fat Be Essential?
By Garry Gamber
Did you know that some fats are essential to the body? Yes, there are some fats that our body cannot produce which means that we must get them from our food. Perhaps you've heard of omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids.
Fructose Short-Circuits Glycolysis
First some terminology.Fructose .
Nutrition Secrets Never Before Revealed
The topic of nutrition is one that is always present in our lives no matter where we turn. It's on the news, magazine articles, at school, at your doctor's office, and even is a major topic for many books.
Things You Should Know about Vitamin K's Unique Power
How well do you know about vitamin K? This vitamin is probably not as popular as other vitamins. But still you need this vitamin for your health.
Eating Outside Your Box
One way to combat the boredom many people complain accompanies eating healthy is to "eat outside your box," by experimenting with new foods and cuisines and by challenging your long held notions about what to eat and when. Iceberg is not the only kind of lettuce, apples and oranges aren't the only fruits and there is no law that says you can't eat mushroom lasagna for breakfast and a southwestern omelet for dinner.
Alcohol Addiction and Obesity
People who consume too much alcohol have good chance of making it to the Obesity chart. Pure alcohol contains 7 calories per gram.
Refrigerator Water Filters vs. Bottled Water: Round 1
Water is the single most important element for human existence, yet many people do not know much about water. Water comprises 60% of a human's body weight, counts for 80% of our blood, and comprises over 65% of our brain and muscles.
The Minefield Of Eating Out On A Gluten Free Diet
Eating out when you are on a restricted diet always has the potential for difficulty. Only yesterday I was reminded of this when we went out for a late Sunday meal.
Face Check Up
Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who's the healthiest of them all? Here is your handy-dandy checklist for a healthy you. Discover how your face reveals your health.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a product of apple juice fermentation. Sounds like nothing extraordinary, but indeed its benefits are measureless.
The Hidden Price of Being Healthy
What I am also going to point out is the not-so-obvious cost of not being healthy. But, as you know, nothing in life is free.
7 Things To Your Health
Health is the thing. And no matter how many ways you can measure and quantify symptoms and disease, the only way to be healthy is to add to your health.
Inactive Alert: Essential Proteins for Sedentary People
The importance of protein in diet has been clearly established by nutritional scientists, and widely accepted by athletes. Among other vital functions, protein is indispensable for creating muscle.
Understanding Nutrition
With the release of the new dietary guidelines, in the form of the new food pyramid, I still find that many people don't actually understand what nutrition actually means. Because of this, dietary choices can seem overwhelming.
Let Your Freezer Be Your Ally!
Most recipes end with instructions to "serve immediately." You could conceivably serve any one immediately but how about putting meals in the deep freeze for prosperity.
The Ins and Outs of Proper Nutrition
Secretly we all want just a few things in life, none the
least of which is to live a life that is healthy and
energetic. One way to accomplish this is to eat a well
balanced diet that fuels the body to take on life's
challenges.
The 9 Most Common Mistakes to Avoid When Reading a Food Label
NutrientsFat, Sugar, Sodium and CarbohydrateThe sections on a food label shows the name of a nutrient and the
amount of that nutrient provided by one serving of food. You may
need to know this information, especially if you have high blood
pressure, diabetes or are eating a diet that restricts certain
nutrients such as sodium or carbohydrates.
The Truth About the Meat You Eat
There are so many topics to discuss which affect our health that it is hard to choose just one at a time. My motto is Unhealthy Soil = Unhealthy Plants and Animals = Unhealthy People.
Understanding Vegetarianism
Like the Sun, Moon, and Earth, there are three kinds of vegetarians in existence: ovo-lacto, a vegetarian that eats vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, seeds and nuts, as well as eggs and dairy products. Lacto, a vegetarian that eats everything the "ovo-lacto" does, except eggs.
Whats The Truth About Fat?
When I hear the word fat I usually think of a roll of it hanging over a persons belt, or that guy Milty, from the movie Van Wilder, doing a belly flop off of the top diving platform with the words, "save the swim team", written across his backside. Sometimes, however, the picture of a big, juicy, double quarter pounder with cheese will slip its way into my mind.
|
