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
Lincoln Stretch rentals Alsip ..Meal replacements have been part of the diet landscape for... Read More
The acai (ah-sigh-ee) berry has been around for thousands of... Read More
ABC News has recently focused on the possible anti-aging benefits... Read More
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin like A and E.... Read More
The makers of Bumble Bee Tuna generated some buzz today... Read More
Looking for an easy and natural way increase your vitality... Read More
These are questions we have to ask ourselves? because after... Read More
Toxic metals exist in our environment as pollutants in our... Read More
Scandinavian fishermen are a healthy bunch. It had long been... Read More
Get back to the basics - eat fresh at home... Read More
A frequent misunderstanding about macrobiotics is that it is a... Read More
Acid reflux disease, or GERD, is a common compliant of... Read More
You can trust me that I make sure to take... Read More
If you want to lose weight, there is one thing... Read More
The factors that affect the nutritional requirements of an individual... Read More
Numerous reports have recently appeared in both the lay and... Read More
Most of us equate the word diet with calorie reduction.... Read More
Salt does Not Cause High Blood Pressure. Some things you... Read More
According to the Congress of the International Society on Thrombosis... Read More
What are Glyconutrients? Glyconutrients are eight newly discovered biologically-active sugars... Read More
What if you could actually slow your rate of aging,... Read More
It is always amazing to me when I find a... Read More
In the brain, a typical protein can live for approximately... Read More
Is the thrill gone? Has the thrill gone out of... Read More
Salt was used long before recorded history began. One of... Read More
Western Springs shuttle limo ..THE RISKWhen you consume food that's high in acid or... Read More
Did you know that the food you eat could be... Read More
I am going to share with you possibly the most... Read More
I'm always amazed at how many people seem to know... Read More
Calcium helps reduce constipationUsing calcium and magnesium in the right... Read More
Students might start thinking a little differently, once they learn... Read More
Zingiber officinale has been held in the highest regard by... Read More
Weight loss plans are almost always trying to get you... Read More
Spring is in the air and ? summer is around... Read More
Many people experience unpleasant reactions to foods they have eaten... Read More
Diets concern especially Americans as they do have a "national... Read More
Ionized minerals, colloidal minerals, chelated minerals . . . What... Read More
If you want to lose weight, there is one thing... Read More
Although many realize that the liver has its own cleansing... Read More
I'd like to explain an important concept that most online... Read More
According to the renowned research scientist and inventor of the... Read More
Did you know that there might be poison in many... Read More
Do you notice your child putting off going to the... Read More
Better sleep = better metabolism. I have been saying it... Read More
The makers of Bumble Bee Tuna generated some buzz today... Read More
FOOD (Macro-nutrients)One of the most important aspects of hill walking... Read More
Green tea has been used as for medical remedies in... Read More
You may have noticed an ever-expanding choice of oils at... Read More
How To Have A Healthy ThanksgivingEnd of the year holidays... Read More
Having a large amount of such "visceral fat" is associated... Read More
Nutrition |