Most people are aware that fats are bad for our health while carbohydrates may turn out to be harmful, especially when taken in excess. On the contrary, the general belief is that proteins are useful. However, very few realize that some proteins are good while there are others that may be detrimental for your health.
In fact, the Atkins diet, and the South Beach diet were a fad during the late 1990s, popularizing high-protein, low-carb meal plans. Since then, people have started consuming more and more protein-rich foods. According to an estimate by San Diego-based The Nutrition Business Journal, Americans spent about $1.2 billion on protein supplements and another $2 billion on protein bars in 2004. According to Dr. Laurie Lynch, the Department of Commerce reported that consumption of fish increased by up 4.5 percent per head while the National Cattleman's Beef Association stated that consumption of beef increased by 25% between 1998 and 2004.
It is true that proteins form the building blocks, which support growth and repair. Besides, they are the only food source of essential nitrogen. For instance, the body requires essential amino acids like histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine, as these are not made in abundance by our body.
Nevertheless, we should try to understand how much protein intake is good and be able to distinguish between good and bad proteins. Actually, the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of protein for an adult is between 30 grams and 40 grams. Contrary to this, Americans consume much more protein, almost twice the RDA, than people anywhere else.
Basically, the body's protein requirements depend on age, sex, weight, pregnancy, lactation, strenuous exercise, energy intake, recovery from trauma, preparation methods, as well as digestibility. The digestive secretions of protein are acidic while the carbohydrate digestive juices are alkaline. Combining animal protein with carbohydrates in your meal can prevent digestion of both. Hence, you may be consuming the recommended amount of protein, but actually not digesting it, an article in Forbes.
In addition, it is important to remember that consuming animal protein in excess will leave toxic residues of metabolic wastes, uric acid, and purines in tissues. These may be responsible for conditions like autotoxemia, over-acidity, nutritional deficiencies, intestinal putrification, arthritis, gout, dehydration, organ and glandular malfunctions like diabetes), kidney damage and/or stones, pyrrhea, schizophrenia, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, cancer, premature aging, premature death, and fatigue.
So be careful when you eat too much protein, as they may not be suitable for your optimal health. Ideally, check with a nutritionist to find how much protein is right for you.
