Thursday, March 10, 2011

EDUCATING YOURSELF ABOUT PROTEIN

Surprisingly little is known about protein and health.

 The Institute of Medicine recommends that adults get a minimum of 0.8 grams of protein for every kilogram of body weight per day to keep from slowly breaking down their own tissues. All told, that's just about 8 grams of protein for every 20 pounds of body weight. Beyond that, there's relatively little solid information on the ideal amount of protein in the diet, a healthy target for calories contributed by protein, or the best kinds of protein.  Around the world, millions of people are protein deficient.  Lack of protein can lead to growth failure, reduction of muscle mass, decreased immunity, weakening of the heart and respiratory system, and death.

Protein Building Blocks

Protein builds the framework of your body.  That includes muscles, organs, bones, and connective tissue.  It transports oxygen, through your blood, to your muscles and organs.   In the form of enzymes, protein helps your body digest food.  As a hormone, protein tells your body when to use food as energy and when to store it as fat.  As an antibody, protein protects you from illness when viruses and bacteria attack.

 Protein also burns calories and builds muscle.  A healthy intake of your daily allowance of protein and moderate exercise will help battle obesity, which has reached epidemic proportions in the United States.  The stats on obesity are astounding:

  •  Overweight people are 50% more likely to develop heart disease.  If you are obese, the likelihood is increased to 100%.   A 1995 meta-analysis of 38 controlled clinical trials showed that eating approximately 50 grams of soy protein a day in place of animal protein reduced total cholesterol levels by 9.3 percent, LDL cholesterol by 12.9 percent, and triglycerides by 10.5 percent.  Such reductions, if sustained over time, could have meant a 20 percent reduction in the risk of heart attack, stroke, or other forms of cardiovascular disease.
  • Overweight people are 360% more likely to develop diabetes.  Obese - 1020%.  Although proteins found in cow's milk have been implicated in the development of type 1 diabetes (formerly called juvenile or insulin-dependent diabetes), ongoing research has yielded inconsistent results.  The amount of protein in the diet doesn't seem to adversely affect the development of type 2 diabetes (formerly called adult-onset diabetes), although research in this area is ongoing. A recent 20-year prospective study in women suggests that eating a low-carbohydrate diet that is high in vegetable sources of fat and protein may modestly reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
  • Overweight people are 16% more likely to die of a first heart attack than those who are normal weight.  If you are obese, the percentage is increased to 49%
  • Overweight men are 50% more likely to have erectile dysfunction.  Obese -200% more likely.
  • Overweight people spend 37% more time at the pharmacy.  Obese - 105% more likely.
  • Overweight people have longer stays at hospitals.
  • Overweight people are 20% more likely to develop asthma
  • Overweight people are 120% more likely to develop stomach cancer.  Obese - 330% more likely to develop stomach cancer.
  •  Overweight people are 70% more likely to develop high blood pressure.  If your obese your odds increase by 170%.
Good Sources of Protein

Fish is a delicious and heart-healthy source of protein and readily available in most locations.  A 6-ounce broiled porterhouse steak is a great source of complete protein—38 grams worth. But it also delivers 44 grams of fat, 16 of them saturated, almost three-fourths of the recommended daily intake for saturated fat. The same amount of salmon gives you 34 grams of protein and 18 grams of fat, 4 of them saturated.

  Eggs have about 6 grams of protein per egg.  But don't fry them.  Try them boiled or poached.  Nuts, especially almond are another valuable source.  Beans or legumes are another good source of protein.   A cup of cooked lentils has 18 grams of protein, but under 1 gram of fat.  One protein source that has been getting a lot of attention is soybeans. We've been told that regularly eating soy-based foods lowers cholesterol,  prevents breast and prostate cancer, aids weight loss, and wards off osteoporosis. Some of these benefits have been attributed to a unique characteristic of soybeans—their high concentration of isoflavones, a type of plant-made estrogen (phytoestrogen).

Pay Attention to the Protein Package.

Almost any reasonable diet will give you enough protein each day. Eating a variety of foods will ensure that you get all of the amino acids you need.   Rarely do you eat straight protein. Some protein comes packaged with healthful fiber and micro nutrients, such as beans, nuts, and whole grains. Some protein comes packaged with lots of unhealthy fat, like when you eat marbled beef or drink whole milk. Fish and poultry are the best choices for meat eaters; if you are partial to red meat, such as beef, pork or lamb, steer yourself toward the leanest cuts, and make it only an occasional part of your diet. If you like dairy products, skim or low-fat versions are healthier choices.  Balance carbohydrates and protein. Cutting back on highly processed carbohydrates and increasing protein intake improves levels of blood triglycerides and HDL, and so may reduce your chances of having a heart attack, stroke, or other form of cardiovascular disease. It may also make you feel full longer, and stave off hunger pangs. 

 Almost all disease can be prevented and treated by proper diet if caught in time.  Learn to eat healthy and learn about health.  Live is too short as it is, why would want to make it more so.  Herbalife is a great way to lose weight, stay healthy and become educated on your health and the health of your family.  There are numerous Herbalife stories of obese people losing 200, 300, and even 400 lbs and becoming a productive member of society again. 

Visit my Herbalife Independent Distributorship at High Desert Health - Herbalife

No comments:

Post a Comment

Search This Blog

About Me

My photo
Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
Independent Herbalife Distributor