Protein is a very important macronutrient that must be consumed on a daily basis. These organic compounds are made up of amino acids and are essential building blocks within the human body. Proteins contain 4 calories per gram. Sources of protein include meat and other animal products, beans, lentils and soy. Other sources of protein are supplements, such as protein powder and liquid protein shots. For as much as we know about protein, there are still many myths that circulate around it. These myths have been spread about for quite some time, and for the most part they have clouded people's judgment and given them the wrong idea about protein. Here are some of the common myths that we hear about protein and the truth behind them.
Myth #1: People who are vegetarians have a harder time getting sufficient levels of protein in their diets.
This is not true. Vegetarians do not have any harder of a time getting enough protein in their diet than meat-eaters do. Protein sources are very abundant and the foods that contain protein are quite diverse. For people on a vegetarian diet, it means that they will not be getting any protein from meat. They can still get their daily amounts of protein from other animal products, such as eggs and milk. While these sources are not as rich as animal flesh, they do contain protein. Another source that vegetarians can turn to is soy.
Soy protein is extremely healthy and can be used in a variety of ways. Since soy protein come from beans, it does not contain saturated fats and won't raise your cholesterol levels. Other beans are good sources of protein as well. Much like the soybean, they can be used in many ways and are very good for the human body. Lentils are another source for those following a vegetarian diet. They can be used to add into your food or soups and are good for keeping you feeling fuller for longer. A final source of quality protein is supplementation from powers or liquid.
Protein powders are high-quality sources that are derived from the whey protein found in cow's milk. Liquid protein shots also contain quality protein (25 grams per serving, to be exact) and are extremely portable. They come ready-to-consume and can be incorporated into your diet up to three times per day. So, as you can see, it just isn't true when you hear people say that vegetarians have a harder time than meat-eaters when it comes to getting enough protein in their diet. There are plenty of sources available for those trying to avoid meat.
Myth #2: High-protein diets are bad for you.
There is some truth to this statement and some myth as well. Most people who claim that high-protein diets are bad for you are basing it off of the fact that they heard how too much protein is bad for your kidneys and can lead to osteoporosis. While high-protein diets could cause a potential risk to people already suffering from kidney problems, there are no studies to show that high-protein diets have an adverse effect on athletes and normal people who are completely healthy. As for the osteoporosis claim, the theory is that high protein intakes raise the acidity of the blood and the body must take mineral reserves from its bones in order to buffer the blood and lower the acidity levels. This, in turn, would reduce the mineral content of the bones and make them weaker and more brittle (Source: Will Brink). There is actually no scientific evidence showing a link between high-protein diets and osteoporosis. People who exercise are going to have a higher bone density than those who do not exercise, so even should there be some relation, they wouldn't be at a high risk for osteoporosis.
Protein-rich diets can be bad for you when you start to get in the realm of unhealthy protein sources. Should your protein-rich diet consist of cheeseburgers, sausage, bacon and steaks, you are putting yourself at a higher risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and obesity. It isn't the protein that is going to lead to these problems, but the fact that the sources that are chosen contain a lot of saturated fat and cholesterol. If you choose a diet with protein coming from lean meats, fish, beans and protein supplementation, you are lowering your risk for future health problems.
Myth #3: All sources of protein are equal.
A fast food cheeseburger contains protein, but so does a piece of fish. Both of these sources are high in protein but should you have to choose one over the other, it would be best to go with the fish. The reason behind this is because the fish will contain fewer calories than the burger. Now should we compare a lean beef patty to say, beans, then you will see that there is significantly less protein found in the beans. Sources of protein that do not come from animals are going to have lower protein levels. This is because the meat is made of protein.
Animal products contain sufficient levels of essential amino acids for humans to digest and synthesize for use. In the hierarchy of protein content, animal flesh is first, followed by animal products like milk and eggs, and then soy and other beans. Right up there with the animal products, you can fit in protein supplementation, such as liquid protein shots. Protica makes one such liquid protein shot called Profect, and it is an excellent source of quality protein that people of all ages and health levels can benefit from. So next time you are choosing what protein to pick for your diet, make sure that your sources are high in protein and low in saturated fats at the same time.
Protein has been the source for many myths throughout the ages and most likely will be the fodder for many more. There are plenty of myths besides the three presented. If you come across something stated about protein that you do not believe to be true, make sure to do your research and evaluate both sides before coming to your conclusion.
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