Not all proteins are created equal. It’s important to know what protein is before you consider it important for body mass. The first step is to understand what constitutes a great source of protein.
Protein is medically defined as any large group of naturally occurring, complex, organic nitrogenous compounds. Each is composed of large combinations of amino acids containing the elements carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, usually sulfur, and occasionally phosphorus, iron, iodine, or other essential constituents of living cells. Twenty-two amino acids have been identified as vital for proper growth, development, and maintenance of health. The body can synthesize 14 of these amino acids, called nonessential, whereas the remaining eight must be obtained from dietary sources and are termed essential. Protein is the major source of building material for muscles, blood, skin, hair, nails, and the internal organs. Source: Mosby’s Medical Dictionary, 3rd Edition
Minerals
The minerals mentioned above such as iron, iodine, and sulfur are the key words in the definition of protein. According to the medical community, each compound of protein is composed of amino acids containing the elements carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, etc.
Minerals are the key to optimal health, not protein as we have been conditioned to believe. The human body is made up of minerals, 102 to be exact, and each contains a definite amount of electrons per atom, which gives the mineral an atomic structure.
In order to have protein, you must have the following twenty-two complete amino acids:
- Alanine
- Arginine
- Asparagine
- Aspartic Acid
- Carnitine
- Citruline
- Cysteine
- Dimethylglycine
- Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
- Glutamic Acid
- Glutamine
- Glutathione
- Glycine
- Histadine
- Isoleucine
- Leucine
- Lysine
- Methionine
- Ornithine
- Phenylalanine
- Proline
- Serine
- Taurine
- Threonine
Anybody engaging in a high-protein diet for health purposes is usually misinformed and misguided. The pursuit and objective should be for minerals and mineral balancing in achieving and maintaining optimal health. After all, protein itself consists of minerals.
There is no part of an animal’s body that has the twenty-two amino acids required in a complete protein. Even though we may eat meat, we’re still not getting the desired protein we think we need to have for good health.
If the minerals outlined above can’t be acquired through diet, then supplementation must be considered in order for the body to function at optimal levels.
Alternatives
Most soy-based products are made of genetically engineered strains of soy and are highly processed, meaning that most benefits of soy are eliminated.
Soy, along with corn, is the most genetically engineered grain product on the market. While eating certain products that contain soy as an ingredient in moderation is okay, eating products that are mainly soy in makeup may not be so wise. After all, soy is indigestible in the human body. If you are going to eat soy-based products, look for the non-GMO (genetically modified organism) sticker or notice on the label.
Women should also beware of the false and deceptive advertising of soy’s alleged phyto-estrogenic properties. Soy is a bean and beans are not phyto-estrogenic in nature. The term phyto refers to being plant-based. The soy industry is touting the isoflavone properties of soy in the prevention of cancer, knowing American women are very vulnerable to the thought of developing female reproductive area cancers, especially breast cancer.
Seitan (wheat meat) is a better alternative for vegetarians as compared to soy. However, seitan too can pose a health risk to individuals who suffer from so-called celiac’s disease, caused by a sensitivity to gluten, which is the sticky protein substance found in grain products.
Solutions
Nature greatly provides everything you need for your human existence on earth. Great sources of bio-protein are:
- spirulina (70%)
- blue-green algae (65%)
- chlorella (60%)
- bee pollen (55%)
- Irish moss
- Dulse
- Kelp
- Alfalfa
- Iceland moss
- moringa (pods, leaves, seeds)
- beans
- avocados
- nuts and
- seeds
If you’re a vegetarian, how do you get your protein? The same way all true vegetarians get their protein-by eating the vegetation of the earth and sea. This includes:
- grass
- wheat
- barley
- oats
- fruits
- vegetables
- nuts
- seeds
- herbs and
- seaweeds
Thank you for reading!
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
