Protein, the miracle cure

Protein, if you believe the hype, is the miracle cure that will solve all your problems.

Hungry? Eat more protein.

Want to lose weight? You probably need more protein.

Want to improve performance? Protein.

Need to build muscle? Just add protein.

No matter what the dietary question, currently the answer is protein.

The cure for everything is protein

Fat and carbohydrates, especially carbohydrates are currently the dietary demons and the cause of all your problems.

Overweight? Tired? Listless? The answer is more protein.

First, let’s be completely clear. People who eat limited calories and eat the same foods every day may have a protein deficiency. This is a possibility, but more likely they have a nutritional deficiency which could include protein.

The other assumption? Protein means from an animal source. Animal proteins come with consequences.

Too much protein

When it comes to protein more is not better.

More is just more.

The human body has no storage for extra protein as protein. Too much protein is stored, like all other calories as body fat.

A recent study published in the Journal of American Heart Association shows the direct link between more animal protein and risk of death and disease. This study followed over 100,000 women between the ages of 50-79 years old for more than 18 years.

The results when it comes to protein consumption and health?

The women eating the highest intake of plant protein had the lowest risk of death, cardiovascular disease and dementia. The women eating the highest amount of animal proteins had the highest risk of death, cardiovascular disease, and dementia. Eating more plant proteins is protective against heart disease and all-cause mortality.

The researchers also looked at types of protein and disease risk finding that red meat, eggs, dairy, have the highest risk of death from heart disease while eggs were linked with a higher risk of cancer.

A study presented last week at the European Society of Cardiology followed 20,000 adults and found that a higher intake of red meat resulted in decreased heart function.

More animal protein comes with a health cost.

Protein has many sources

Protein comes in many forms and some are healthier than others.

Plant protein has been proven to promote gut health, heart health, brain health while animal protein is linked to a higher risk of all-cause mortality. The other important aspect of animal protein is the effect on the planet’s health, which is often ignored, but vital to personal health.

For now, let’s stick with our personal health.

Higher intakes of plant protein are linked with lower rates of disease, lower body weight, higher fiber intake, lower risk of diabetes, fewer medications, and a longer healthspan.

The protein source matters. It has been proven that if you are interested in maintaining your health, plant proteins are the healthiest.

More health problems with animal protein

All proteins are made from a combination of amino acids. Sulfur amino acids which are found in animal sources and have been found to increase age-related chronic disease, including cancer, and heart disease.

The more animal products that are included in a diet the higher the risk of disease and death.

What about paleo and keto diets?

From a planetary health perspective, the earth can’t sustain either of those diets. From a personal health perspective, we know that eating this way would increase disease risk and lower life expectancy.

What about performance?

Dr. Michael Greger founder of Nutrition Facts, recently showed how high protein diets have ergolytic effects on performance. You may be familiar with ergogenic effects – the performance-enhancing effects, but ergolytic effects are performance impairing. More protein in the diet, specifically more animal protein increases fatigue, impairs muscle growth, and increases the rate of bone loss and fractures.

When it comes to performance plants for the win.

7 facts about protein and health

Most people think they need more than they actually require.

It is easy to meet your daily requirements with plants.

More plant proteins are associated with better health, longer lifespan, and a healthier body weight.

Eating too much protein means storing more body fat.

Plant proteins have all the necessary amino acids.

Eating more plant proteins is more sustainable and optimal for environmental health.

Americans eat more animal protein than any other country in the world and have the highest rates of chronic disease.

Protein is one of the nutrients we need in our diet to stay healthy, but the obsession with protein and especially animal protein is harming our health and increasing rates of disease. Choosing more plant proteins will give you the nutrients you need while maintaining your health.

Next time someone asks if you want protein with that… you know what to say.

Change your mind, change your health,

Shayla