Protein

What is protein made from?

Amino Acids – there are 22 or 23 amino acids of which you need 8-9 as the others are made from these 9 or 9 – The difference is because few text books agree exactly on the numbers and you need the 9^th amino acid as a baby – which is found in mother’s milk

Amino Acids are to protein what letters are to words – the various combinations of amino acids make over 100 000 different types of proteins used by the body

Where to get it

Everywhere in food especially plant-based wholefoods that are not cooked. This is a good reason to keep to an 80% raw food plant-based diet.

Protein powders

Many people fear they are not getting the protein they need, so they turn to protein powders. Not all protein powders are equal. Animal protein sources contains arachidonic acid which can increase blood pressure, blood clots and inflammation. This can result in heart disease, cancer and inflammatory diseases such as arthritis. Plant based protein powders are best, but soy intolerance is estimated in at least 40% and headaches, excess mucous and snoring are some of the side effects of both dairy (whey and casein) and soy-based protein powders.

It would appear at time of writing that pea protein is the best of the protein powders with up to 95% protein content. The advantage is that all protein powders from animal sources are heated so you may not benefit from the full protein content.  Whereas pea protein is processed in a dry, wet process and is much easier to assimilate.

Practical Project

List the amount of protein found in these ingredients found in protein powders on a separate piece of paper.

• Whey
• Casein
• Pea protein
• Soy flour

How much do we need?

The option on this varies very wildly and probably depends on whether or not the authors are funded by some of the food or supplement industries – but independent studies (these are referenced in the NHN & NHBC) is ;

• 1g for every 2kg of body weight
• Growing children 1g per every 1kg

There are several different recommendations often suggested by industries with vested interests.

The above is what the longest living and healthiest communities like the “Blue Zones” thrive on.