QUALITY PROTEINS

Protein is necessary to build and repair systems in the body. Protein is vital for growth and de- velopment. Your muscles, your immune system, your skin, your hair, your tendons, your cartilage and every cell in your body are dependent upon protein. Without protein you will die. When protein is consumed, it breaks down into amino acids and fat. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein made by the body. We need to consume protein to make protein.

Some sources of protein are called complete proteins. We find complete pro- teins (proteins which contain all the amino acids necessary for life) in soy- beans, tofu, soy milk, plain yogurt, meat, poultry, fish, milk, cheese and eggs. Incomplete protein (proteins that need to be combined with other proteins to make them complete) are found in nuts, beans, corn, brown rice and various types of seeds and legumes.

Each person’s daily protein requirement is different. However, on average, the typical male needs about 30 grams of protein at each meal and the typical female needs about 20 grams of protein at each meal. As a general rule however, we tell our patients to make

Protein and Metabolic Syndrome

Protein is very effective in controlling glycemic response. Eating high-protein foods with carbohy- drates will help slow the release of glucose into the bloodstream. Any quality high-protein food will perform this function.

Protein Malabsorption

Americans generally consume large amounts of protein. However, when we perform a nutrition lab panel on our patients, we find that they are low in several important amino acids. While this can be due to an inadequate intake of protein, it can also be caused by poor digestion and/or absorption. Poor digestion and/or absorption can be caused by dysbiosis (bacterial overgrowth in intes- tines) or as a result of disease states and/or conditions such as high levels of stress. High lev- els of stress cause an increased utilization of certain amino acids. Low vitamin and mineral intake may also affect protein absorption and utilization.

Genova Diagnostics’ NutrEval Nutrition test, which we routinely perform on most of our patients, is a valuable tool in determining nor only your nutritional deficiencies but also your level of bacterial overgrowth in your guts and your natural ability of digesting proteins.

Protein Shakes

In addition, we recommend the use of predigested protein meal replacements (Protein Powder). These are proteins that are already broken down into smaller units of amino acids or peptides, making them easier to absorb and utilize in the body. Whey protein, rice protein, pea protein, and egg white protein are forms of predigested protein. These are a great way to insure intake of all amino acids. Note: Please ensure that protein powder is not sweetened with artificial sweeteners!