Is protein
an issue? No! O.K. some people make it an issue. I must admit that
transitioning to become a vegetarian in the early 1990ies I thought getting
enough protein would be an issue. It isn’t! If you eat an adequate amount of
calories you would have problems designing a diet inadequate in protein.
How about
our caveman ancestor?
Eating lots
of meat – no problem.
Eating lots
of fish – no problem.
Eating lots
of seeds – no problem.
Eating lots
of grubs and insects – no problem.
Eating lots
of nuts and seeds – no problem.
Eating lots
of leafs, grasses, blossoms, fruits, tubers – no problem.
Each season
however might have been different for our caveman. But he wouldn’t have a
problem with protein if he had enough to eat. So the caveman was faring well,
and the urban troglodyte will fare even better.
On the
average we already eat too much protein. Some people promote an increase in
protein to lose weight – a myth! The Physicians Committee for Responsible
Medicine [1]: “… Americans tend to take in twice the amount of protein they
need already.” And: “Excess protein has been linked with osteoporosis, kidney
disease, calcium stones in the urinary tract, and some cancers.” Taking more
and more protein to get healthy is a myth. Another myth had been unwillingly
created by Frances Moore Lappé in her book “Diet for a Small Planet”:
combination of plant protein. No you haven’t.
Too much
protein means more nitrogen to be excreted by the kidneys. It also means an
increase in calcium excretion and thus promotes osteoporosis. Highest calcium
and vitamin D intake have traditionally living Inuit, but they also have the
highest rate of osteoporosis. Some proteins and also amino acids promote
growth, and so might increase the risk for cancer; the insulin-like growth
factor 1 (IGF-1) would be such a protein, which you get by drinking milk and
eating dairy products [2]: “The consumption of cow’s milk and milk products is
linked to increased levels of IGF-1, which in turn are linked to various
cancers.” The caveman had no access to milk and dairy. The urban troglodyte
doesn’t have to use milk and dairy.
The urban
troglodyte should take an adequate amount of protein. Veggies, dark leafy
vegetables, nuts, whole grains, and legumes would be perfect.
Links:
.
Journal of Infusion Nursing; 29: 6, 338-345.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting remark. The articles title is: "Evaluation of a visual infusion phlebitis scale for determining appropriate discontinuation of peripheral intravenous catheters." https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17122689
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