Vitamins - Essential
Proteins for Sedentary People
The importance of protein in diet has been clearly established by
nutritional scientists, and widely accepted by athletes. Among other
vital functions, protein is indispensable for creating muscle. Just as
important is protein’s essential ability to repair damaged muscles after
training[i].
While the value of protein in diet has been accepted and promoted
within the athletic community, it has been less well disseminated within
the very large sedentary population. Currently making up about 25% of
Americans[ii] – or 1 in every 4 people – sedentary people are defined as
those who undertake less than half an hour of moderate physical activity
per day[iii].
A key problem to solve, therefore, is that the bulk of these
sedentary Americans do not know that they are, or more likely are not,
getting enough protein in their diet. This large group of sedentary
people reflects the myth that protein-rich nutrition is important only
for athletes and those who are physically active. The Reference Daily
Intake[1] amount for protein is 50 grams, and most sedentary people are
not coming close to meeting this standard.
Next to water, protein is the body’s most prevalent substance.
Protein is the essential building block for muscle and tissue, and vital
for the functioning of critical systems, such as digestion. Protein even
helps regulate and control hormones and chemicals that influence mood
and coping ability something that has an impact for all people,
regardless of physical exercise regimen. In fact, in the context of
protein deficiency-related mood disorders, one may argue that a
sedentary person on the dangerous road to obesity might be
psychologically better equipped to implement a disciplined (e.g.
healthy) eating plan if, among other key factors, a complete protein
diet exited from the start.
Yet there is another related problem that is arguably more damaging.
The little information that most Sedentary Americans are receiving about
protein – snippets of facts here and there, mostly from marketers and
advertisers – are often outright misleading. This is most clearly seen
in the world of fast food.
Many sedentary Americans who have some basic awareness of protein’s
importance in diet believe, due largely to marketing campaigns, that
fast food burgers are a “good source of protein”. Lost in this belief is
the fact that virtually all fast food burgers are almost thoroughly
unhealthy choices that are high in saturated fat, calories, sodium,
cholesterol, and the list goes on.
In fact, a popular burger contains 52% of the recommended daily value
(DV) of fat, and over 500 calories, of which 60% are from fat[2]. These
clearly unhealthy factors diminish the nutritional value from the
burger’s 24 grams of protein.
It is largely due to this lack of information – and concurrent
existence of misinformation -- that prevents many sedentary Americans
from learning about the importance of protein. At the same time, it is
also clear to medical experts that the concept of a sedentary lifestyle
is a serious global health problem that must be addressed sooner rather
than later[iv].
Addressing this problem is, like many chronic health conditions,
complicated and multi-layered. Yet accepting this complexity is, in
itself, a starting point for a solution one that must equally be
multi-layered and holistic in approach. Awareness of protein must extend
beyond the boundaries of the “fit and athletic” communities, and
concurrently, ways for sedentary people to access protein must be
developed ways that are entirely healthier than fast food burgers.
Despite the difficult and admittedly uphill battle that many
sedentary Americans face today, there is reason to be rationally
optimistic. There are products on the market that are providing balanced
sources of complete protein, yet in responsible, low-calorie and
fat-free portions. Since these products are fortified with vitamins and
nutrients, they can be utilized as either a supplement or a complete
meal replacement. This is of notable value for dieters and “time
starved” individuals who are seeking quick, convenient ways to eat
healthy.
Ultimately, resolving this problem of sedentary Americans will not be
easy, nor will it be rapid. It has taken generations to create the
statistic that 1 in 4 Americans lead sedentary lifestyles and it may
take generations to unravel this knot. The hallmarks of unraveling it,
however, are clear: quality awareness, quality understanding, and above
all, quality nutritional products that consumers both demand, and
indeed, thoroughly deserve from their food manufacturers.
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 http://www.profect.com.
[1] Formerly referred by its better-known name “Recommended Daily
Allowance”.
[2] The USDA’s recommendation is 30% calories from fat
References
[i] Source: “The Power of Protein”. The Physician and Sportsmedicine.
http://www.physsportsmed.com/issues/1996/04_96/protein.htm
[ii] Source: “What We Think is Making Us Fat”. About.com.
http://walking.about.com/cs/howtoloseweight/a/obesitycause404.htm
[iii] Source: “Cost and Consequences for Sedentary Living: New
Battleground for an Old Enemy”. Presidents Council on Physical Fitness
and Sports. http://www.fitness.gov/researchdigestmarch2002.pdf
[iv] Source: “Sedentary Lifestyle: a Global Public Health Problem”.
The World Health Organization.
http://www.who.int/hpr/physactiv/sedentary.lifestyle1.shtml
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