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Warning: Excess Protein is Hazardous to Your Health and Fitness


Wait a minute! We know that fat and cholesterol are hazardous to our health - You mean to tell me that too much protein is also hazardous to our health?

Yes, absolutely! That is exactly what I am saying!

I know that this may come as a complete surprise to you, but the truth is that many experts think that too much protein, particularly animal protein, is hazardous to your health!

If a person consumes over 15% protein in his diet (beef typically has 26% protein – the rest is fat – and chicken has 61% protein – the rest is fat), then the body must get rid of that protein

In other words, the body stores very little protein - Certain organs are responsible for getting rid of the protein—namely the kidneys and liver - The more protein we eat, the harder the kidneys and liver have to work to excrete the protein - The result of overuse of these organs is obvious—premature wear and tear

Most Americans eat an over-abundance of animal protein from their foods every day, and then they load themselves up even more with protein powders and drinks and bars - We are protein crazy in this country! And it is to our demise, not to our benefit

So along with the wear and tear of the kidneys and the liver which is bad enough, why else is excess animal protein hazardous to your health?

Excess protein makes the body more acidic, and these acids accumulate in the joints causing arthritis and gout

Animal protein is hard to digest so it is hard on the digestive system causing digestive problems

Animal protein is strongly associated with heart disease no, not just the fat and cholesterol, but also the animal protein itself

Animal protein is associated with many kinds of cancers, such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, and pancreatic cancer

In a huge study conducted in China by T Colin Campbell, PhD, it was found that the groups of people who ate the most animal protein had, by far, the most heart disease and certain cancers

And the amount of animal protein did not have to go up very high in order for the disease numbers to go up also

And because the animal protein makes the body more acidic, the body has to neutralize the acid - It does so by pulling calcium out of the bones, and then we pee out the calcium

Why is this significant?

It is believed that animal protein just happens to be one of the major contributors to osteoporosis in this country - This excess protein leaches the calcium out of our bones

So one of the best things you can do for yourself is to cut back, way back, on your consumption of meat protein and protein artificially loaded into other foods and pseudo-foods - In fact, your best bet for maximum health and fitness is to completely eliminate animal sources of protein

Load up on plant foods and get away from animal products—it just makes sense!







Protein Fun Facts


*Only 10 percent of the total calories consumed by the average human being need be in the form of protein

*Protein deficiency, or "kwashiorkor," is very rare and is usually diagnosed in people living in countries suffering from famine - so stop worrying! =]

WARNING:
Eating animal protein has been directly linked to the formation of kidney stones and has been associated with cancer of the colon and liver

Note: Be careful on the grill - Overcooking animal proteins can be harmful to your health - High heat reacts with proteins in red meat, poultry, and fish to form cancer-causing agents

 

Vegetarian Protein Sources


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PROTEIN IN LEGUMES: Garbanzo beans, Kidney beans, Lentils, Lima beans, Navy beans, Soybeans, Split peas

PROTEIN IN GRAINS: Barley, Brown rice, Buckwheat, Millet, Oatmeal, Rye, Wheat germ, Wheat, hard red, Wild rice

VEGETABLE PROTEIN: Artichokes, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Green peas, Green pepper, Kale, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Mustard green, Onions, Potatoes, Spinach, Tomatoes, Turnip greens, Watercress, Yams, Zucchini

PROTEIN IN FRUITS: Apple, Banana, Cantaloupe, Grape, Grapefruit, Honeydew melon, Orange, Papaya, Peach, Pear, Pineapple, Strawberry, Tangerine, Watermelon

PROTEIN IN NUTS AND SEEDS: Almonds, Cashews, Filberts, Hemp Seeds, Peanuts, Pumpkin seeds, Sesame seeds, Sunflower seeds, Walnuts


Soy Protein

Soy protein is a complete protein, which means it contains all nine essential amino acids - Nutrient-dense whole soybeans are low in saturated fat and are considered a superfood - Whole soy helps promote heart and bone health and other health benefits - Soybeans are also a good source of fiber, iron, calcium, zinc, and B vitamins

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Vegan Protein Powerhouses



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Many vegan foods are packed full of protein, while being low in saturated fat and free of cholesterol - Try these versatile and delicious high-protein foods in your next dish:

Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP) - a dried soy product that can be used in place of ground beef in stews, chili, tacos, pasta sauce, etc

Lentils - a small but nutritionally mighty member of the legume family, loaded with minerals, B vitamins, and protein--all with virtually no fat - Lentils are excellent in soups, stews, and curries

Tofu - a product made from soybeans, is the king of versatility - It has a bland taste on its own but it absorbs the flavors of the other foods and seasonings cooked with it - Firm tofu can be used in place of meat in stir-fries or marinated and baked, while soft tofu can be used in dips and deserts like pudding, pie, and smoothies

Seitan - also known as “wheat gluten”, is a chewy meat-substitute that is the protein part of wheat which is left after the starch and bran are removed

Tempeh - a fermented soy product with a slightly nutty flavor and a firm texture similar to meat