Too much protein makes sick – who would have thought?
No other nutrient divides the opinions like proteins. Even more than 100 years ago, science debated how much the body really needs to stay healthy and efficient. And the “protein debate” has not been solved yet today.
In the China research published in 2004 by Collin Campell it was proven that all widespread diseases have one thing in common: The more animal proteins (cow, sausage, milk and milk products, eggs) people ate, the more frequently and earlier negative health changes were presenting; also because animal proteins have high acid content and are broken down to potentially toxic end products such as ammoniac, sulfuric acid, and uric acid in the body. In general, the study demonstrated that cow milk protein and manufactured proteins support cancer growth, whereas plant proteins – especially green proteins found for example in pea varieties, hemp seeds, dark leafy greens, and algae – inhibit it.
Green proteins contain many amino acids and chlorophyll. This balances the pH level. Natural proteins with a relatively high pH level are all varieties of sprouts, nuts, and seeds but also algae, such as chlorella and spirulina, flax and hemp seeds.
Why green?
Proteins are ingested with our food and divided into amino acids by our body, and further released through the intestine walls. To enable this, the endogenous enzymes support. In the next step, these amino acids are assembled into the proteins, which the body requires at that moment.
Well, the muscles are mainly built by the proteins that are created in the process described above. Which on the other hand can only be assembled if the necessary building blocks are present. These must be ingested through conscious and healthy nutrition. And thus, the circle closes again. Of course, it does not work with nutrition alone. Exercise is the most important source for the muscular development, while nutrition assists the process.
How much protein does a person need?
Never again is the need for protein as high as in the first year of life, where the protein is naturally delivered by breast milk. After all, this phase builds and extends protein rich body structures such as muscles, bones, immune system, and organs… One could deduct that breast milk is very rich in protein, however it is quite the opposite: Breast milk contains on average only 1.2% – 2%, which is only half of cow milk.
So if the protein level of infant nutrition is approx. 1.5%, one should be able to live on much less later in life, right?
Plant based proteins such as salad, berries, seeds, and roots 0.5-4%, grains 7-14%, and nuts and seeds about 20%. Salt and fresh water algae are the richest in protein, they contain up to 80%. Many critics state that plant proteins can be utilized less efficiently. But these arguments can safely be disregarded based on the actual amount of daily protein requirements.
How much is all this in grams?
I am not a fan of measuring and confirming everything exactly in grams etc., as there are so many different approaches, especially in the world of proteins.
Here is one of the most current, scientifically proven calculation sample for you, whereby not all factors can be considered in an exact way, such as regeneration, immune system, cell structures.
Nutrition scientists state that a normal person should take in 0.8g of protein each day. This translates into a basic requirement of 64g proteins for our 80kg sample athlete. As the athletic quota is not included here, we add both quantities: 64 grams (basic requirement) + 27.4 grams (muscle building) = 91.4 grams Following this calculation, a daily amount of 91.4 grams protein – or 1.14 grams per kg of weight – would be sufficient to build the desired muscular mass in one year. By the way, approx. 1.2 grams per kg body weight is also the conservative recommendation for athletes.
Source: L.Bravo. Polyphenols: Chemistry Dietray sources, metabolism and nutritional significance. Nutr Rev 1998; M.Colgan.
