Diets -
Rediscovering Protein
Protein must be a part of a healthy diet for a simple reason: it is
essential for life. Every single cell in the human body -- including
bones, blood, skin, chemicals, and enzymes -- depend on protein for
effective operation.[i]
Yet while Americans are more health-conscious than ever before, the
national health dialogue continues to be dominated by a cynical theme:
malnutrition. Many Americans are suffering the ill-health effects of a
diet that is too high in saturated fat[ii], carbohydrates[iii], and
calories[iv], while severely lacking in protein.
This wave of malnutrition is not merely disconcerting to medical
professionals. It is alarming. The situation has become so desperate
that obesity will soon become the nation’s leading cause of preventable
death.[v]
America’s nutritional dilemma is not, however, limited to obesity
concerns. Malnutrition in non-overweight individuals is nearing epidemic
levels. Millions of “fit looking” individuals subsist on a diet that is
far too rich in carbohydrates a problem that has been enhanced for
generations by the US FDA’s encouragement of refined carbohydrates as
part of a balanced diet. We now know, however, that many of these
refined carbohydrates are metabolically similar to candies and sweets.
Added to this problem is that saturated fats continue to dominate many
meals, particular those served in fast food restaurants.
Essentially then, the problem in America can be summed up as this:
eat right or prepare to suffer shape up, or die a preventable death.
The first step in balancing America’s eating practices is to
reintroduce the importance of protein. This neglect is all the more
stunning given that, of the three major macronutrients – carbohydrates,
fats, and proteins – proteins are the only essential component that
human beings cannot live without.
Reintroducing protein as part of a healthy diet is made more
difficult because many consumers do not know where to find a healthy
source of protein. Unfortunately, most nutritional supplement sources
bring with them a range unwanted carbohydrates, facts, and calories.
Powerbar™, the “granddaddy” of nutritional supplements launched in 1987,
has been rejected as an option by some consumers and health
professionals because of high carbohydrate levels (45 grams), and low
protein levels (10 grams) in each serving. Furthermore, dieters in
particular have criticized Powerbar’s™ high 230 calories per bar –-more
than 1/10th of the recommended caloric intake.
Other attempts to meet consumer demand for a high protein, low
carbohydrate, low fat, and low calorie nutritional supplement have been
supplied by products such as the York Bar™, the Blast Bar™, and the
Ironman Bar™, respectively. However, each product has been judged by
some consumers and medical professionals as having have similar
Powerbar™-like drawbacks: high calorie levels (210, 180, 230 grams
respectively), high carbohydrate levels (30, 36, and 51 grams,
respectively), and most notably of all, low protein content (7, 10, and
4 grams, respectively).
While these products have certainly helped more people “think” about
eating healthier, they have not, respectively, met the rigorous consumer
expectation for a low carbohydrate, low calorie, low fat, and high
protein nutritional supplement.
However, there is a product in the market today called Profect® that
is receiving significant credible attention from both the consumer and
medical communities.
Profect, a product of Pennsylvania-based Protica, Inc.
(www.protica.com), provides 25 grams of protein in each fat-free,
carbohydrate-free 100-calorie serving. Profect also offers a range of
essential nutrients in each serving, including 100% of vitamin C and 50%
of B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, Biotin and Folic Acid. All of this is
delivered to consumers in a 2.7-ounce container designed to be virtually
indestructible. The container also serves to increase storage life and
heat resistance.
The debate for America’s protein and diet IQ will not begin with what
is placed on a dinner table, or what is offered at a fast food
restaurant. This is where the debate will end. Where it begins will be
in the minds of consumers and medical professionals everywhere. High
quality, accurate, and scientifically validated information is required
to carefully choose a protein-rich balanced approach. For a growing
number of investigative consumers, that solution centers around products
like Profect.
About Protica
Founded in 2001, Protica, Inc. is a nutritional research firm with
offices in Lafayette Hill and Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Protica
manufactures capsulized foods, including Profect, a compact,
hypoallergenic, ready-to-drink protein beverage containing zero
carbohydrates and zero fat. Information on Protica is available at
www.protica.com. You can also learn about Profect at www.profect.com.
References
[i] Source: “The Benefits of Protein”. WebMD. http://my.webmd.com/content/article/85/98824.htm
[ii] Source: The Center for Disease Control.
[iii] Source: “Building a Better American Diet: School of Harvard
Gazette Archives Public Health Conference Looks at Science Behind Diet
Recommendations”. http://www.news.harvard.edu/gazette/2003/09.18/15-foodpyramid.html
[iv] Source: “CDC: Americans Eating More than Ever”. CNN. http://www.cnn.com/2004/HEALTH/diet.fitness/02/05/more.calories.ap/
[v] Source: “Why Is America So Fat?”. CBS News.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/07/12/60II/main628877.shtml
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