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Choosing the Healthiest Sources of Protein

Posted by Linda Greens | Nutrition | Saturday 3 July 2010 6:30 am

Protein from either an animal or vegetable source, once it’s digested, basically works the same. It’s broken down into individual amino acids that are then recombined to form other proteins found in your body – e.g. muscles, bones, organs, blood, etc.

Animal source protein, however, is complete protein since it provides all nine of essential amino acids needed for human health. Vegetable
source protein always lacks one or more of these vital amino acids. This is usually not a problem for people who eat a vegetarian diet, as long as they eat a wide variety of good quality protein foods.

But there’s another big difference between animal and vegetable source protein that must be taken into consideration when looking for the best protein source for good health. And that’s the extra food components that come along with the protein.

Take a four-ounce porterhouse steak, for example. It provides a lot of complete protein. 25 grams to be exact. But it also provides about 30
grams of fat of which more than 10 grams are unhealthy saturated fat. The same size serving of broiled salmon delivers about the same amount of complete protein – 23 grams, but only 12 grams of fat, less than 3 of them saturated. A cup of lentils, on the other hand, has about 18 grams of incomplete protein, but under a gram of fat.

So paying close attention to the dietary source of protein makes good sense if you want to get and stay healthy. Animal source protein may be complete but it also contains a lot of extra unwanted fat. Studies show, for example, that people who eat more than 18 ounces of red meat each week have a much higher risk of colon cancer. The best sources of animal protein are lean fish, and poultry.

If you enjoy red meat eat it only on an occasional basis and always choose moderate size portions of the leanest cuts. And stay away from processed meats – bacon deli meats and hot dogs – that are linked to cancer risk. When eating dairy products, choose healthier low fat milk, yogurt and cheese.

Vegetable source protein like beans, nuts and whole grains may be incomplete but they also provide vitamins, minerals and healthy fiber. When limiting animal source protein in your diet, it’s vital that you eat a wide variety of protein rich foods to be sure you’re getting all of the amino acids you need. Combining rice and beans and peanut butter on whole grain bread are excellent vegetarian choices that provide a complete amino acid profile.

Benefits of Nutrition Supplements

Posted by David Stewards | Nutrition | Friday 23 October 2009 7:02 am

Nutrition supplements are not only necessary but are indispensable even for those persons eating balanced diets. There are several advantages that bodybuilding nutrition supplements are able to provide humans that normal food is not able to give. Healthy nutrition is a natural process that gives you the same or even higher energy boost and mood relaxation from tea, coffee, tobacco, liquors, drugs, etc., without their harmful side effects The major difference between these bodybuilding nutrition supplements and the above listed harmful materials is that the natural nutrition supplements work with the innate design of your body and not against it. All addictive materials definitely work against the body-mind system, though they might appear to be working with them.

They do provide stimulation and relaxation. That could not be denied. However, the harmful side effects from drinks, drugs, and tobacco far exceed the momentary benefits derived from them. They become an addiction. They leave you exhausted and run down in the long run, because they work against the natural body system. Constant exposure to such violation of the body and mind leads to the dislocation of internal harmony. Disastrous results ensue.

Nutrition supplements are the exact opposite of the above listed harmful items in functioning. They not only work the body-mind system but enhance the natural abilities inherent in our complex physical structure. There is nothing miraculous about healthy nutrition and bodybuilding nutrition supplements. By nature, they are designed to supplement and compliment the various body functions and mental activities.

They are similar in nearly all the aspects to the various chemicals and fluids that we have in our body and brain. Vitamins, minerals, and amino acids present in our body control the function of the various body parts and the activities of the brain. The nutrition supplements just enhance the energy present in the body to higher levels, increase the focusing power of the mind, and usher in overall well being.

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