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Article:
How the Protein
Diet Works By K. Perry
Protein is an essential nutrient necessary for maintaining good
health. In its basic form protein consists of amino acid chains. Of
the 22 amino acids that are capable of creating protein, 8 of these
can only be obtained through a protein diet. Because these amino
acids are utilized by the body a low protein diet can affect a host
of very important functions. The building of our skin, hair, nails
and internals organs all depend on amino acids and are maintained
trough a protein diet.
Muscle tissue as well as new tissue growth need protein for their
activities and can receive adequate levels with a protein diet.
Protein intake from a high protein diet helps to transport nutrients
and oxygen to our cells. The valuable protein diet aids and
maintains antibody production.
The protein sources available to us for inclusion in a high
protein diet include animal and plant based proteins. Animal
proteins are found in meat, fish, cheese eggs and milk. Plant
protein sources include soy, spirulina and organic whey protein diet
products. While it is certainly important that we include a balanced
intake of protein in our diet, many people eat too much animal based
protein.
This type of high protein diet could have adverse health effects,
which appear as disease and obesity. Many individuals who follow an
excessively high animal based protein diet are overweight and often
unhealthy. People on an animal based high protein diet often have
elevated bad cholesterol levels.
Heart disease, strokes and osteoporosis are often the result of
an excessive animal based high protein diet. It is therefore
important that a well-balanced protein diet is maintained. By
replacing part or all of our animal protein diet with plant proteins
we can be assured that our body requirements are being met. A plant
protein diet can help us to avoid the health problems associated
with an excessive animal protein diet.
Replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats when on a plant
protein diet can improve health tremendously. This plant protein
diet can also aid with weight control. A plant protein diet does
away with the saturated fat accumulation thus limiting unwanted
weight gain. Regular exercise combined with a high protein diet
including plant proteins will be beneficial to individuals wanting a
healthier lifestyle.
Plant proteins have many benefits of their own when included in
the high protein diet. These protein diet improvements include the
ability to raise good cholesterol levels while reducing bad
cholesterol. This important protein diet function aids in preventing
the arterial plaque build up, which could cause artery hardening and
blockages.
Protein from plant sources like soy and spirulina, when included
in a protein diet, are able to reduce the risk of strokes, heart
attacks and heart disease. A vegetable high protein diet improves
the ability to retain calcium in the body.
Because less calcium is excreted in the urine while on a plant
protein diet, problems such as kidney stones are lessened. Therefore
it is important to consider exactly which type of high protein diet
you are currently following. Due to the high levels of saturated
fats and additives found in red meat, a plant protein diet is
superior to an animal protein diet and is the healthier
alternative.
Copyright 2005 Health-Focus Providing Resources on Health and
Nutrition
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