Cardiac Health Warnings for All and Good Nutrition

Everyone is familiar with the tragic stories of the young, impossibly healthy athletes who have dropped dead on the field after routine exertion. There was the high school basketball player who fell to the floor during the game and had to be shocked back to consciousness. There was the young Russian ice skater who died after a routine practice. An autopsy revealed no drugs, no alcohol and no physical anomalies that would explain his death at such a young age. There have been runners, football players, soccer stars – all gifted athletes, all in peak, physical condition – all of them dead or near dead because of a phenomenon called SCD, also known as Sudden Cardiac Death. There are several conditions associated with SCD as well as some factors that can increase its risk. These include:

- Hypertrophy cardiomyopathy or heart muscle thickening

- Atypical blood clotting

- The muscles not getting enough oxygen – anomalous coronary artery

- Faulty heart rhythm or congenital Long QT Syndrome

- Irregular heart muscle tissue which can lead to heart rhythm problems.

- Use of cocaine

(Source: The American Heart Association)

Any athlete at any level of competition should be tested for heart conditions before they compete, however those who are involved in extreme sports are at higher risk, so should pay even closer attention to their body’s signals. Here are some of the reasons that increased testing should be encouraged for all athletes:

- Out of every one million marathon runners, nearly four or more will die during the marathon. There is not a single age group that is not affected by this risk.

- One third of runners after a marathon had an increased level of a biomarker that indicates heart muscle damage.

- Higher levels of creatine kinase enzyme have been found in long distance runners, this is used to measure damage in the heart after a heart attack.

In addition to this testing, there should be someone on every athletic field or in every arena who can perform CPR or is versed in how to use the defibrillator, although in some cases even this may not be enough to do any kind of good.

Good Nutrition & Sports

The amount of calories needed by an athlete compared to that of the average person can be staggering. For some extreme athletes, their daily intake is almost double what it would ordinarily be simply because the body is burning so much fuel. To stay competitive and strong, they must make sure to get not only enough foods, but the right food sources into their bodies every day.

Carbohydrates- These are used by the body as one of its primary fuel sources and the only source of energy that the human brain will accept. The carbs that are included in the diet for an athlete should be healthy, complex carbs that do not cause sugar spikes and unhealthy weight gain. Whole grain foods and vegetables are a good source of complex carbohydrates, which should make up as much as 60% of the overall diet.

Fats- Healthy fat options should makeup as much as 20% of the overall daily calories; however, an athlete who is training may be eating far less than this amount and may be sticking to around 10-15%. Fats are an important source of energy for the body and certain types, including Omega 3s, actually protect the heart. Good sources for these include Omega 3 enhanced eggs, salmon and other cold water fish, nuts and nut oils.

Proteins- Protein should make up 25-35% of the daily calories at most, according to the American Heart Association’s recommendations. In addition, the source of the protein should be carefully analyzed. All animal proteins plus the plant-based protein from soy are complete, meaning that they deliver the nine essential amino acids that the human body cannot make on its own. However, many of these protein sources are also high in calories and saturated fats. Choosing leaner protein sources protects the body from increased cholesterol and can include turkey breast, fish, low fat or non-fat dairy foods and plant-based proteins.

Additionally, protein can be added to the healthy diet by using protein supplements, which can boost intake for those who are struggling with making good choices. There are dozens of protein supplement options to consider, including protein powders made from soy, rice, whey and egg as well as protein bars, shakes and enhanced waters. In addition to these, there is a small protein supplement called Profect from Protica that delivers a significant amount of protein (25 grams) in a very small serving (2.9 fluid ounces/100 calories). Available in a number of flavors, Profect is perfect for the athlete because it is small, portable and easy to contain.

Cardiac Health Screening: A Case Study

Sean is a young and gifted hockey player. He spends hours on the ice perfecting his shot and hours in the gym perfecting his body. He is able to avoid most hits and can crunch players against the board and be off with the puck in a flash. Sean, the young and vital athlete, has a ticking time bomb in his chest. He is at risk for a heart rhythm change that can potentially kill him in a second. He has no current risk factors for heart disease and his family’s health has been fair for the last few generations. Despite all of this, he is at risk for sudden cardiac death. After reading about yet another of the athletes that have fallen to this condition, Sean agrees to go in for testing. His heart shows no abnormalities at this time, however he will do everything he can to protect his health.

He will continue to train hard so that he is in top condition. He will continue to play hard every shift, every minute. He will not smoke or use drugs of any kind, and he will continue to eat a healthy and well balanced meal. This will now include the addition of Profect, a protein supplement from Protica that will boost his protein intake but not his calorie count.

Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey liquid protein for weight loss surgery patients. You can learn more at Protica Research – Copyright

When Is a Calorie Not Just a Calorie?

Every few years there are new diets introduced suggesting that if you count calories you will be more conscious of them, and therefore you will eat less and lose weight. But being conscious of calories is not the same as choosing not to eat as many. Simply acknowledging the calories in that bacon triple cheese burger with extra bacon and chocolate milkshake is not going to negate them. It will not block their artery clogging cholesterol, saturated fat and simple carbohydrates that leave you feeling hungry even though you never burned them off.

A calorie is simply a unit of measure. It is the amount of energy that is needed to raise the temperature of one gram of pure water one degree Celsius. There is nothing magic about the calorie in and of itself. It doesn’t matter what time you eat or what in what order you consume your foods. The calorie will still affect your body in the same way. If you eat too few calories, you will feel hungry and may become sluggish and tired.

Eat too many calories and you will feel sluggish, bloated and possibly unwell. Continually eat too many calories for your own body and you will gain weight. There is no real trick to the concept of the calorie. It is actually quite simple: Your body has a set need for calories to maintain its current weight. If you eat more than your body actually needs to have, the additional calories will be converted first to additional energy and then to fat. More unnecessary calories coming in leads to more fat.

On the other hand, if there are too few calories taken in, the body will be forced to burn its own stores of fat for energy. If the body goes too long without a new source of calories, however, it will stop burning the right fuel and will instead hold onto every single calorie that comes in, making you remain at the same weight even though you are eating far less than before.

The Calorie and the Concept of Hunger and Appetite

The calorie is simple enough to understand, but there is more at work behind the scenes. Complicated processes called hunger, appetite, digestion and metabolism can be influenced by emotions and other outside factors.

Appetite can be influenced by more than just a need for food. The body can feel like it is starving because of emotional, visual or other cues. In fact, the body can be influenced by something as simple as the time on the clock, eating not because you are hungry but because your body is conditioned to expect food at this time every day. Watching other people eat can also make you eat, even when you know that you are not really hungry. Actual hunger rarely prompts the office worker to hit the vending machine mid afternoon, but rather he is driven by his sense of habit.

Real hunger can be a difficult thing to understand, but there is also the concept of misplaced hunger. It is important to understand the difference between real hunger and false hunger or you will end up eating more than you intended and more than you need, even when you are not hungry at all. For some people, thirst can be mistaken for hunger. Imagine that you need eight ounces of zero calorie water and instead eat a three hundred calorie snack. Instead of giving the body what it was asking for, you have given it three hundred calories more than it needed and have also skipped giving it the water it needed in the first place.

But a Carb Calorie Counts for More than a Protein Calorie?

Each gram of fat and carbohydrates has nine calories while each gram of protein calories has four. In addition, the body burns up more energy while digesting protein than it does with either of the other macronutrients. That being said, there are different considerations for which nutrient is needed, when it is needed and how much should be eaten. The brain, the mysterious, complex organ that controls every system and other organ in the body, can only accept and use energy that is generated from complex carbohydrates.

Protein is used to build muscles and skin but also plays a number of other very complex roles in the body. It contributes to cellular creation, the generation of bones, ligaments and tendons and also helps the body to create new chemicals that are used during the digestion, ovulation and even sleep. Protein also plays a role in the cardiovascular system, helping to maintain the pH balance of the blood and keeping the blood pressure regulated.

It is important to get the right number of calories from the right kind of foods. For some people, habit eating and a lack of understanding of real hunger can be a serious problem. Some people become so overwhelmed with the deluge of information that they simply stop eating completely, which is just as bad as overeating to the metabolism. It is important to remember that the body actually does need to get new energy sources every day, in evenly spaced meals, perhaps eating more frequently throughout the day instead of eating two or three large meals and nothing more. Healthy between-meal snacks can be a great way to get the energy you need to keep your metabolism high.

Using protein supplements or protein based snacks can be a great way to accomplish this, helping you to avoid the lure of the vending machine at the end of the hall. Protica, a company famous for its small protein shot, Profect, also offers a number of other protein supplements including two protein candies, Protein Twist and Protein Taffy. Check these and other protein supplement products out on the web site, http://www.protica.com for information on the benefits and available flavors as well as the ways to order your favorites today.

Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein supplements for diabetic patients. You can learn more at Protica Research – Copyright

The Truth About Diet Food

Think about it: everything that you eat is part of your diet by the mere definition of the word. But, in reality, when people are talking about diet food, they mean certain types of products that line the shelves of every grocery store in the country- usually with huge labels that proclaim them to be “fat-free” or “sugar-free” or any number of variations on those terms.

The problem with these foods is simple: the human brain recognizes the word ‘free’ as a very positive thing, a green light to eat these foods at will without worry of their health repercussions. After all, free is free, right? In most cases, that is patently false; fat-free, sugar-free, and the other terms do not mean calorie-free, but even when the food is calorie-free, there might still be problems with it and they all start with the way that the human body and the mind work.

An Example: Diet Sodas and How They May Cause Weight Gain

It was discovered that beverages contributed to weight gain and that many, many people drink more of their calories than they get from solid food. Huge beverages, especially sugar-laden soft drinks are largely to blame for the increasing number of people who are overweight. Sodas are filled not only with sugar but caffeine and some also contain phosphates, which can contribute to the development of osteoporosis over time. Instead of suggesting that people limit the amount of sodas that they consume or making healthier beverage choices, diet sodas were created- but they did not solve the problem at all.

Think of it this way: Dave, feeling a little sluggish at his desk starts craving a little jolt of energy and a little sugar to get him going. He goes to the vending machine and gets a cola drink and goes back to work. He does this four or five times a day and pretty soon, Dave has gained quite a bit of weight. The average can of cola has more than a single serving in it, with the calorie count listed as 160-180 per serving, not for the whole can. A serving is equal to eight ounces, so that additional four ounces is worth 80-90 more calories for each can. A 20 ounce bottle of soda will equal two and a half servings of cola and can be worth 250 calories (or more). Chug down three or four bottles of those a day and you are getting 1,000 calories from liquids alone. The average adult needs between 1400-2200 calories a day and does not live on soda alone, so the problem becomes very clear, very fast.

So, Dave, who has gained weight from his soda addiction, switches to diet soda. As one of the most popular and biggest selling diet foods, it has to work, right? Not exactly and the problem is not with the lack of calories but with the way that the body sees and processes it. Used to the sugary rush of the regular sodas, the body expects to find sugar in heavy doses after the diet drink is consumed. Instead, it is confused and starts craving the sugar that it was promised and did not get. Instead of helping to lose weight, the diet soda can instead be contributing to weight gain and it is the same with other types of diet foods as well. Low fat cookies still have calories and to make up for the lack of fat; they may have higher sugar content or harmful chemicals that can cause the body to stop processing foods correctly. The body needs fat, but it needs the healthy kind in the right amount. It is the same with carbohydrates and protein as well.

Diet Food Should Mean Healthy, Natural Foods as Much as Possible

Too many people rely on processed foods, even the ones that are labeled as diet foods, for their nutrition. The more processed a food is before you eat it, the less work your body will have to do to break it down and the more likely it will be stored by the body as fat. A glass of orange juice is nutritious in small amounts, but eating the orange gives you fiber, vitamins and fewer calories. You also have to work to get to that orange, peeling and segmenting it, chewing to break the fruit down before you actually swallow it. With the juice it is nothing more than open a container, pour, drink and done. The more work you have to do to break down foods, the better.

In a perfect world, everyone would eat the right foods for their body’s health and in the right amounts. They would cook these foods in their own kitchen using only healthy cooking methods such as baking, roasting, and broiling. They would steam vegetables and scrub and then eat whole fruits. There would be no need for diet food at all because all foods would be part of a healthy diet. However, that is not the case. There are far too many people who do not have the time to cook or to even eat a whole meal. While many of these people will simply grab a burger from a fast food place, others will look to another aspect of the diet food industry: the meal replacement and supplement products.

Choosing a Good Meal Replacement or Supplement Product

For a meal replacement product to be healthy, it has to have the right nutrients and provide enough calories for the average adult. There are meal replacements and supplements that are marketed specifically for children. There are a number of products on the market that qualify, however there are some that may have too much added sugar or fat to be beneficial for weight loss.

Fruitasia, a product from Protica, can be used as either a meal replacement or as a supplement and has a number of health benefits. First, it is 100% fruit and vegetable and provides three full servings of vegetables and two servings of fruit in each small serving. For less than three ounces, Fruitasia also provides 5 grams of dietary fiber, proven to aid in weight loss and to be beneficial to colon health. Fruitasia is cholesterol-free, preservative-free and 100% all natural. Unlike a number of other meal replacements, it is also lactose and egg free as well as yeast, wheat and gluten free. There are so many people who have not been able to choose a meal replacement because of food allergies or intolerances, so Fruitasia may be the answer they were looking for.

Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey liquid protein for dialysis patients. You can learn more at Protica Research – Copyright

High Protein Diets: Are They Right for Everybody?

Not that long ago, the biggest diet fad was the Atkins diet, at the time thought to be the saving grace of the diet industry. People could still eat their bacon and eggs in the mornings; they just had to skip the toast and the juice on the side. They could still have their bacon cheeseburgers, they just had to skip the buns, the ketchup, and the French fries. Unfortunately, they also had to skip the dill pickles that go so deliciously with these foods. But, how effective could a diet that suggested eating burgers with bacon and cheese really be? And, how long could a human body continue to go without complex carbohydrates without developing serious problems?

As it turns out, not very long. What should have been a very simple diet to follow – after all, you ate all the high fat meats that other diets tend to banish on day one – turned out to be very difficult after the second or third week. Energy crashes were very common. Moods plummeted. The carb-craving-crankies set in and stayed a major factor for many people who were no longer satisfied with simple weight loss; what they wanted was to lose weight and still feel fairly human.

The long-term health effects of the Atkins diet and similar diet pans are just now starting to catch up with many of its devoted followers. However, there are other high protein diets that are far more reasonable, easier to follow, and most importantly, healthier.

How Much Protein Do You Really Need?

There is a formula that is typically used to determine how much protein a person needs; however, there are variables that have to be accounted for during this process as well. The basic protein formula is 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. To get the right amount of protein using this formula, you simply divide your current weight in pounds by 2.2 which will give you your weight in kilograms. That number is then multiplied by 0.8 to determine your daily protein needs. However, if you are a very active person, your daily protein needs will automatically go much higher. If you are not active at all, your protein needs will be lower.

In addition to activity levels, you have to know your basic health condition as well to determine the right amount of protein that you need because certain health conditions mean that you will need to get more protein to regain your health. While high protein diets may push protein above this 0.8 gram per kg mark, it will not go that much farther. The average body builder only gets about 1.5 to 1.7 grams of protein per kilogram of their own body weight to get bigger. They do not build their remarkable bodies with protein alone, but with good overall nutrition, dedication, and hard work. Genetics also play a large role in their size and the ability to build large muscles. (Source: Osterweil)

How High is Too High?

Most of the high protein diets get around 30% of their daily calorie intake from protein with carbohydrates and fats making the other 70%. Taking protein intake up to 35% and lowering fat intake to around 15% is beneficial for weight loss and can help the dieter feel full for longer than the lower protein amount. However, protein intake of higher than 35% is not recommended because it can lead to a number of serious health conditions including cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, and kidney and gall stones. The American Heart Association suggests that protein intake be limited to no higher than 35% for safety and that the bulk of the protein comes from very lean meat or plant sources whenever possible.

Using a Protein Supplement to Ensure Protein Intake

While most people know what they should eat, there are many times when they cannot eat these foods because they do not have the time to sit down for a healthy meal or they are too busy on the road to stop and get something that qualifies as healthy. Because so many people are just too busy, the concept of using a protein supplement became a viable alternative to the less-than-healthy food choices on the road and certainly better than continually skipping meals. Protein supplements can be found in many forms, including the protein supplement Profect from Protica.

Small in size, Profect is high in protein, low in calories with zero carbs and zero fat. In addition to Profect, Protica also offers Proasis, the first all-natural protein supplement. Both Profect and Proasis are available in a number of sizes, including the single serving size, and a number of refreshing flavors so that there is always a variety of digestible and healthy protein to be consumed.

Increasing Protein and Good Health

In addition to using protein supplements such as Profect and Proasis, there are a number of healthy protein-based foods such as skinless, roasted turkey breast, salmon, and eggs. Non-meat food sources that are high in protein include milk, cottage cheese, other cheeses, soy foods, and other plant-based proteins.

High Protein Diets and Health: A Case Study

Lindsay was one of the first people to jump on the Atkins diet fad, using only Atkins approved or licensed foods in addition to the red meats, eggs and other foods on the approved list. She felt great after losing nearly 10 pounds the first week, but by the end of the second week, she was dreaming of dancing potatoes and corn on the cob and snapping at her coworkers and family. By the middle of week three, she couldn’t take it anymore. She was dragging herself out of bed, too sluggish to exercise. Weight loss had stalled completely; she was constipated and felt generally unwell. She returned to her old habits and unfortunately, regained her weight and then some.

She found a different high protein diet plan, one that included leaner protein sources, lower calorie counts and most importantly, complex carbohydrates that her body actually needed. This diet was much easier to follow and gave her slower, steadier, and healthier weight loss without feeling deprived or snapping at friends and family.

In addition to eating lean meats such as turkey and other poultry, she was getting heart healthy fish and plant-based proteins. She was also still getting vegetables and other foods so she was better able to stick to her diet plan. To keep herself on track while she was on the go, Lindsay used Profect as a healthy, between meal snack that enabled her to stay full until it was time to eat again.

Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein bullets for bariatric surgery patients. You can learn more at Protica Research – Copyright

Preparing for Weight Loss Surgery With Good Nutrition

There are millions of people who are overweight in the United States alone, in every age group, in every ethnicity and every socio-economic group. Obesity does not care who it claims and it does not matter how seriously it affects the health. Obesity is a condition that is recognized as its own illness and can be regarded as a preexisting condition in those who are seeking to upgrade or change their insurance.

In the past, weight loss surgery was considered to be merely cosmetic and was not covered by many health insurance policies; however as study after study showed how dire the problem of obesity was in this country, more insurance companies expanded their coverage. In some cases there may be limits, however in most cases the insurance does cover the surgery and should also handle some of the after care.

There are three major steps to this surgery: the preparation stage, the actual surgery and then the follow up. During each of these stages, it is important to keep in mind that there are going to have to be changes and adjustments to your life. Any surgery has major risks and these should never be taken lightly, but the weight loss surgery, regardless of the type that you choose will also have a huge impact on the rest of your life.

Before the surgery is ever scheduled, you should learn as much about the surgery as possible. You should also investigate your doctor and his credentials. Get yourself mentally and physically prepared for the upcoming surgery and the change that it will make in your life. Education should include information about the surgery itself, nutrition, and how you will be eating after the surgery. It is also important that you start looking for a support system, preferably people who have been through this surgery before. If you do not know anyone that has had weight loss surgery in your area, then you can look online through message boards and forums.

If you are extremely overweight, you may have to lose some weight in preparation for your weight loss surgery. This will be something you will discuss with your surgeon who will have guidelines that he will set up for you. There are several different types of surgery, including some that are temporary and some that are adjustable. The type of surgery that is best for you will be determined by the surgeon.

Weight loss surgery is not just a magic fix for a problem that has probably been a major part of your life for many years- it is only a tool to help you achieve your goals of better health. You have to make sure that you are using this tool in the right way; however you also have to make sure that you have other tools in place. The way that you are thinking and behaving will have to be completely changed from your normal behavior and that is not always easy to do.

You have to be able to understand nutrition and its role in your life. Good nutrition is even more important after the weight loss surgery, especially considering the fact that you will only be eating two to three ounces at a time, everything that goes into your mouth is vitally important. It is also important to know that you cannot have liquids at the same time that you eat. Liquids, including medications or supplements, have to be consumed thirty minutes before you eat or thirty minutes afterward.

The surgery part is not the difficult part. You will be in a hospital with professional care. After you come home, you have to be ready for the decisions and choices that you will have to face. You will also have to make sure that you are ready with any lines of defense that you feel you need. There are some people who are not going to be able to have the self control that they need, even though they have had the surgery. These people are at huge risk for popping their staples or rupturing their stomachs. These are medical emergencies and can lead to serious infection or even death.

In addition to learning how to eat, you will have to make better choices about what to eat. You cannot puree a slice of pizza or a burger and fries and still be healthy. You will still have to make good food choices. It is also important that you get the supplements that you need to have since weight loss surgery tends to cause very serious deficiencies of a number of vitamins and minerals.

Exercise is very important as well. Not only will it help you lose weight faster, but it will also help you tone up the muscles under the skin so that there are fewer issues with sagging skin and other problems. This topic should also be discussed with your surgeon, because it is a real possibility, especially if you lose a lot of weight quickly. If you do have a lot of hanging skin, will you need a secondary surgery to take care of it. Unlike the initial weight loss surgery, this is usually not covered by insurance unless the extra skin is impeding natural movement or causing other functional problems.

Weight loss Surgery: A Case Study

Shauna is going to have weight loss surgery in May, however between her initial consultation and the actual day of her surgery, she will be aiming to lose forty pounds in addition to learning everything that she can about her surgery and finding support for afterward. Because there is no one in her area to talk to, she has found a weight loss group online.

One of the things that Shauna is doing to get ready for her surgery is using supplements including Profect, from Protica. It is only 2.9 fluid ounces in size and will give her 25 grams of protein per 100 calorie serving. She does not have to stop using Profect after her surgery. Not only does it give her the protein that she needs to recover from the surgery itself, but it can help her meet her protein needs on a day to day basis. She will also be getting 100% of the day’s vitamin C and 10% of the B complex vitamins. Profect is available in a number of fruit based flavors and different sizes.

Shauna is also exercising on a daily basis, building up her strength and endurance day by day. She is hoping that by time she has the surgery she will be up to exercising at least thirty minutes per day.

Finally, Shauna will be using a number of weight loss suggestions including using a food diary to show her what she is eating and how much. Shauna’s doctor recommends counseling and frequent checkups as part of her success plan.

Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein supplements for bariatric surgery patients. You can learn more at Protica Research – Copyright

Protein Energy Malnutrition: How Serious Can it Be?

Protein is a major component of every cell, organ, and function in the body. It is vitally important and is found in a number of sources in the typical diet- including in foods that are not so good for the human body, like processed or fast foods. Even though protein is found in so many different food sources there are still many people that do not get enough calories in their diet including protein.

Protein energy malnutrition (PEM) is a potentially fatal body deprivation disorder that is the leading cause of death in developing countries. PEM happens when there are not enough calories or proteins to meet the body’s nutritional needs. However, it does not always happen simply in the absence of protein in the diet, it can also occur when the body is either unable to absorb the protein or is not able to convert it for its own use.

PEM is not a common problem in the United States; statistically however it does affect two different demographic groups: the elderly who are living in nursing homes or other long term care facilities and children from poor families. It occurs in one in every two surgical patients and strikes 48% of all other, admitted, hospital patients. (Source: FAQS.org)

There are two varieties of PEM, Primary and Secondary. Primary PEM occurs when there is a lack of overall protein sources in the diet and too few calories. Secondary PEM is more common in the United States and is typically a complication that has developed from another disease including: AIDS, cancer, chronic kidney failure, inflammation, and bowel disease. PEM can develop slowly during a chronic illness or when the body is in a state of semi-starvation, but may develop quickly if there is an acute illness.

Protein energy malnutrition occurs in both hospital patients and long term care facility residents for a number of reasons. Many of them cannot chew or swallow correctly, preventing them from getting enough food into their system. Others may have slowed or faulty digestive systems, keeping them from processing the foods that they are taking in and leaving them feeling uncomfortable and unwilling to eat the next meal. Many of them are also not active and may have slowed or completely absent metabolisms, preventing them from feeling hunger at all. The elderly also tend to have a reduced sense of appetite to begin with, even when healthy.

In addition to the inability to eat and get enough calories in the diet, these patients may have additional nutrition losses because of bleeding, diarrhea, high sugar levels, kidney disease, malabsorption disorders. There are also other conditions that greatly increase the nutritional needs in the body, especially the need for protein. These conditions include: fever, infection, surgery, trauma, tumors, burns, and the use of some medications.

Continued inability to get enough calories or enough protein in the diet can lead to severe problems and can alter the form or function of every organ in the body. How fast or severe the condition actually is will depend on prior nutritional and health status, the nature of the disorder, and the speed of its progression.

Protein energy malnutrition ranges from mild to severe; however there are no set criteria for setting the levels. Most doctors agree that a loss of ten to twenty percent of body weight constitutes moderate PEM. At this level, there is a weakened grip and the inability to perform high energy tasks.

Severe PEM involves a weight loss of more than twenty percent and is potentially fatal. At this stage of the condition, the patient will be unable to eat any normal sized meals even if they have an appetite, the heart rate will be abnormally slow and the blood pressure will be dangerously low. The body’s core temperature will also drop below normal. The skin will appear baggy and wrinkled and the hair will be dry, thin, and brittle. Constipation is very likely at this point as is lethargy. The patient will also be more prone to pressure ulcers (commonly referred to as bed sores) and other skin lesions as the body is unable to fight off damage to the skin’s surface or underlying infectious agents.

It is very important that those people who are most at risk for protein energy malnutrition (children, the sick and the elderly) be given enough calories, including all three macronutrients to ensure their good health or to help them recover from illness or trauma. Using a protein supplement may be beneficial because is it more easily assimilated into the body. Once the condition has reached the moderate to severe stage, the likelihood of fatality becomes even more eminent without medical and nutritional intervention.

There are several different types of protein supplements that can be considered at this point, however they must meet the same criteria to be useful:

- They must contain high quality protein that can be assimilated by the body without extra effort. (Protein requires the most energy by the body to digest)

- They must not contain additional ingredients that can cause allergic reactions or be hard to digest or finally, could displace the protein.

- They must be palatable. A protein supplement that is very high in amino acids is typically very bitter and will not be easily eaten by the average person. The protein in the supplement should be broken down into smaller peptides so that it is easier to use and does not have the bitter taste.

- They should be adaptable meaning that the patient should be able to transition with the same protein supplement from feeding tube to consumption without the need to introduce a new supplement source to the system which could increase the risk of allergic reaction in some people.

- They should not cause a rise in blood sugar which can happen in the presence of added sugars.

- They should address the actual problem of protein digestion or absorption if at all possible.

- Finally, the protein supplement should give as many additional benefits as possible without comprising current health status or impeding healing.

There are a number of protein supplement types including the protein powders that can be added to other feeding sources and protein supplement shots. Protein powders have a number of advantages and disadvantages for each of the four types.

Whey Protein Powder: Advantages

- Enhances the production of glutathione, an immunity booster

- Highest level of natural food sourced branch chain amino acids which can be metabolized straight to muscle tissue

- Excellent source of the amino acid leucine which is vital for muscle growth

- Helps with the optimal intake of protein, fats, carbohydrates and the micronutrients

- Helps preserve muscle tissue

- Maintains a healthy blood sugar level

- High calorie protein source

Whey Protein: Disadvantages

- Potential allergic reaction in those who are lactose intolerant

- Too much whey can damage the liver

Soy Protein: Advantages

- Highly digestible form of protein

- Improves the nutritional value of other foods

- May decrease cholesterol

- Is suitable for vegans

- Source of phytoestrogens which are beneficial in a number of conditions and diseases including osteoporosis and breast health

Soy Protein: Disadvantages

- Potential allergen

- May not be indicated in some forms of breast cancer

Rice Protein: Advantages

- Hypoallergenic

- Easy to digest

- Suitable for vegans

Rice Protein: Disadvantages

- May be difficult to find in some areas

- May be more expensive to buy

Egg protein Advantages

- Made from the white of the egg, considered to be the perfect protein source

- Fat free

- High quality protein

- Highest food source in the amino acids, alanine, argine, glycine and methione.

Egg protein disadvantages

- Allergen potential

- May react with some medications

In addition to these powdered protein sources, there is another to consider that meets all of the criteria: Profect from Protica. It is available in a number of strengths and flavors and can be used as is or can be mixed with fruit juice or water. It can also be used as a feeding source for those who are being fed by alternative means either as a temporary or permanent solution.

Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein shots for bariatric surgery patients. You can learn more at Protica Research – Copyright

Protein Needs in Heart Health

Heart disease kills sixteen million people worldwide every year and accounts for about thirty percent of all deaths in that same time period. In the United States, cardiovascular disease accounts for forty percent of all adult deaths every year (Source: Natural News 2006). The risk factors for heart disease are the same for a number of other chronic, potentially fatal diseases and include: obesity, smoking, genetic or family history of the disease, diabetes, kidney disease, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Controlling weight can also improve the other risk factors making it one of the most important.

All three of the macronutrients – fats, carbohydrates and proteins are important; however protein may play a surprising role in not only weight management but heart health as well. Whether protein is coming from food or supplemental sources, it is important to choose the right kind and to get the right amount of it. The American Heart Association recommendation for protein intake is no more than 35% of the daily calories which is more than enough for most people even those who are very active. It is necessary to choose quality protein, no matter how much you really need. (Protein needs are based on weight, health and activity level).

Protein, whether it is from food or from supplements, comes from two sources: plants and animals. Plant proteins, with the exception of soy protein are incomplete because they lack one or more of the eight essential amino acids that the body cannot make on its own. There are twenty amino acids in all; the body can make eleven of them on its own. Each amino acid is used for a different function in the body including making hormones and enzymes that are then used for digestion, sleep, and ovulation. Soy proteins and soy products are complete because they contain all of these amino acids.

All animal products are complete proteins, however there are some that are far better choices than others because of the fat and calorie content. For those who are eating for better heart health, choosing animal proteins that are lower in saturated fats is very important to reduce the cholesterol in the diet. Meats are good sources of proteins of course, but other animal protein foods include low fat dairy products and eggs. The egg is considered to be the perfect protein because it is all bio-available (all the protein in the egg is used by the body). All other protein sources are judged in relation to the egg.

Supplements of every type are made from either plants or animals and in some cases, both. Protein supplements can be a very beneficial part of a heart healthy diet as long as they are:

- High quality protein

- Low in calories

- High in additional nutrients

- Low in simple or added sugars.

Protein supplements should also be free from artificial ingredients. All ingredients should be clearly listed on the label- if you do not know what is in it, don’t use it!

What Protein Does in the Body for Heart Health?

Protein has a number of roles in the body from building and maintaining lean muscle mass to a role in the central nervous system. Protein is found in the hair, skin, eyes, nails, and all of the organs. In fact, next to water, protein is the most plentiful substance in the human body (Source: womens-health-fitness.com). Protein is used in the body:

- To build connective tissue

- To build, repair and maintain contractive tissue

- To build cell membranes

- As part of the bone matrix

- To maintain fluid balance

- To regulate the ph balance of the blood

- For the formation of hormones and enzymes of the body

- As part of the immune function

- To make neurotransmitters (these are used to send nerve messages from each area of the body)

- To create RNA and DNA

(Source: Nelson, 2009)

Each type of protein may affect heart health differently though, with whey and soy protein being suggested as especially beneficial for a number of reasons.

Whey Protein and Heart Health

Whey protein is a byproduct of cheese making, a derivative of milk. It contains a mixture of very beneficial nutrients including an antimicrobial property called lactoferrin that is useful for healing wounds (Source: The Whey Protein Institute). While there are a number of benefits to whey protein, there are some risks as well. Too much whey protein can cause liver damage. Whey protein is not for those who are lactose intolerant (whey protein isolate has less lactose and may be okay.)

Whey protein may help to improve blood vessel function including improving blood flow and blood pressure. A whey derived peptide (NOP-47) also improves vascular function.

This is the most common protein supplement and comes in two different forms, the isolate and the concentrate. Whey protein concentrates are the least expensive and typically have between 30-85% proteins. Whey protein isolates have 90% protein and again, have far less lactose than the concentrate. Whey protein is not appropriate for vegans but ovo-lacto vegetarians can use it in their diet.

Soy Protein and Heart Health

Soy protein in all of its forms is beneficial to heart health. Two daily servings of protein may lower the blood cholesterol by nine points and may also lower the blood pressure (Source: Natural News, 2006). Soy can be found in tofu, miso and tempeh as well as in edamame and soy milk. In addition to these, soy is also available in meat substitutes like veggie burgers and similar products. Protein supplements made from soy are derived from soy flour and can be used to improve the nutritional value of other foods. Soy protein is suitable to vegans and is a complete protein.

Other Protein Supplements and Heart Health

Using a protein supplement as a meal replacement or a snack can be a good way to lose weight, beneficial to your overall health as well as to the heart health. Protein helps decrease hunger allowing you to eat fewer calories without feeling deprived. Profect from Protica is a good between-meal snack because it stabilizes the blood sugar while providing high quality protein – 25 grams per serving with a low calorie count (100 per serving). Profect has 100% of the day’s Vitamin C, 10% of the daily supply of Vitamin B complex and comes in a number of flavors including: Blue Raspberry, Cool Melon Splash, Grapefruit-Mango and Fresh Citrus Berry. Protein bars in comparison can have as many as 180 calories but only 12-15 grams of protein (depending on brand and size, of course).

Because heart health depends on the right amount of each nutrient, it is important to make sure that you are discussing your individual needs with your doctor. Getting the right number of calories every day is important to overall health, including cardiovascular health. Anyone with suspected or confirmed heart disease should be following doctor’s recommendation for nutritional needs and guidelines.

Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein supplements for cancer patients. You can learn more at Protica Research – Copyright

Avoid Protein Deficiencies with Healthy Sources of Protein

Your body is an incredible feat of science. You probably know that it is made up mostly of water (about 60%), but did you know that the second most abundant component of your body is protein? Yes, protein counts for approximately 20% of your body’s mass. Protein is an extremely important macronutrient that is found in everything from organs and bones, to your hair and bodily fluids. It is a vital substance that affects how your body functions and whether or not you will grow and develop at a normal rate. When your body is deprived of protein, it can wreak havoc on your system. The good thing that you should know is that protein deficiency is not extremely common within the United States. Sources of protein for us to eat are readily available and, for the most part, are relatively inexpensive. However, that does not mean that all sources of protein are equal. Some sources are better for us as a whole than others are. In this article you will be informed on the benefits of protein, sources of protein

and the signs and symptoms of protein deficiency.

Benefits of Protein

We already know that protein is vital for human survival, but other than that, it is a key player in muscle and body development. The amino acids that are found in it are important for repairing your damaged and torn muscles. As an athlete, if you lift weights or stretch, you are forming small tears in the fibers of your muscles. When you consume protein after your workout, it goes to work rebuilding your muscle to fill in the tears that you have created.

Athletes need to consume protein at the upper levels of the spectrum. Protein is beneficial for the average person, too. If you want to have healthy hair, sufficient energy throughout the day and have supple muscles (not overdeveloped ones, just healthy muscles), then you need to make sure that you get protein each and every day. Protein isn’t like the other macronutrients. It must be consumed each day, as our body cannot store any excess that we consume. Extra protein is eliminated through your body’s waste filtration system (the kidneys and urinary tract).

Sources of Protein

You do not have to look too far to find sources of protein in this country. All you have to do is run over to your nearest grocery store, convenience store or fast food joint and you can get enough protein to last you months. In the past, it might have been harder to come by protein. America is a surplus nation and we are rolling in a surplus of protein. That being said, all sources of protein are not created equal. Many of the sources of protein that you will find at your favorite fast food joint are packed with more than just protein. Without a doubt, you will find cholesterol, saturated fats and triglycerides all mixed into that greasy goodness that you have been dying to consume all day.

The sources that you want to look for when trying to live a healthy lifestyle include lean meats and other non-meat sources that are still plentiful in protein. Meat protein should be your top choice as it contains essential amino acids. The non-meat sources such as beans, soy, lentils and liquid protein contain important amino acids but your body must use them in conjunction with each other in order to produce the essential ones. The following is a protein hierarchy that outlines protein sources, their benefits and where you can find them.

Animal Products – These are a good source of quality protein that is readily available and in most cases must be prepared or cooked before consumption. Protein is found in lean beef, veal, poultry, fish, eggs, milk and other animal products.

Liquid Protein – This is an excellent source of protein which is readily available, portable and does not need to be prepared prior to consumption. It contains 25 grams of protein per serving and is derived from whey protein. Popular sources of this protein are Profect and Proasis, which is manufactured by Protica.

Beans and Soy – These very healthy sources of protein which are readily available, in most cases must be prepared prior to consumption and are good for people on a vegetarian or vegan diet.

Signs and Symptoms of Protein Deficiency

While protein deficiency is not a prevalent problem in our society, it does occur. So it is important to know what the symptoms of protein deficiency are and how to tell if someone you know may or may not be suffering from it.

These symptoms of protein deficiency come from the Net Nutritionist. If you think that you may be suffering from protein deficiency, it is important not to self-diagnose, but instead to schedule an appointment with your physician. He or she will be able to run a serum albumin test to be able to tell you whether or not you are actually suffering from this problem.

- Physical symptoms of protein deficiency – Kwashiorkor (a disease found mostly in malnourished children causing them not to grow properly), moon-shaped face, brittle hair, alopecia (hair loss), edema (swelling), delayed wound healing and muscle wasting and weakness (Source: Gay Riley)

As stated earlier, protein deficiency is not rampant through our country since we have plenty of sources. Protein deficiency will most likely be tied in with some other factor. One such factor could be a genetic problem where the person has issues digesting a protein diet. Another underlying cause of protein deficiency (and one that you would not have to look far to find) would be an eating disorder. An eating disorder, where someone is starving themselves or purging their body, will severely disrupt the body’s processes. If you are starving yourself, you are not getting the protein in your diet that you need. People purging their bodies after eating are not giving the system enough time to digest the protein, thus resulting in the deficiency.

If you think that you or someone that you know might be suffering from a protein deficiency, here are some things to look for. Check yourself for muscle wasting, listlessness and fatigue. Next look at your fingernails. Should you notice white lines across them, it may be a sign that you are lacking in protein (Source: Live Strong).

Protein deficiency is not something that pops up overnight. It takes time for it to develop within your body. If you consume quality sources of protein from lean meats, liquid protein or beans, you should not have to worry about falling victim to this ailment.

Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein shots for dialysis patients. You can learn more at Protica Research – Copyright

The Advantages of a Balanced Protein Diet

A balanced diet is crucial for good health. Getting to and maintaining a healthy weight is important, not only for your self esteem, but also for the way that you feel. Your health can be directly impacted by how much you weigh. No one is saying that the last five pounds that you think you need to shave off is hurting anything besides your ego, but most people are more overweight than that. There are 34 million people who are classified as clinically obese. (Source: www.med.Stanford.edu) Ironically, the number of people who qualify as being on a diet at any given time is far lower, at a reported 20 million. (Source: www.thriveonline.com).

The type of diet that most people follow varies greatly. Some people will go to the doctor and ask for a sensible, healthy and, most of all, balanced diet plan that will carefully consider the need for all three of the macronutrients, which are fats, carbohydrates and proteins. They will include a variety of foods from all of the food groups so that all of the necessary vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that the body needs will be present. The doctor will address current or potential health risks with the patient and the best diet can be constructed. Sadly though, many more people will be lured in by the billion dollar strong diet industry and will kick off yet another diet fad. Some of them are ridiculous, making you eat foods that you do not like at times that do not work for you. Other people will develop an obsessive devotion to exercise, trying to burn off a piece of chocolate cake with two hours on the treadmill.

Protein becomes energy simply because we have eaten it, but it is not an infallible. Protein can turn to fat in the body if a person eats too much of it. However, there have been so many high protein diets that the average person cannot let go of that long held myth. We do need protein, but we need the right amount of protein. We need fats in our diet too, and again, we need the right amount as well as the right type. Despite all of the diet plans that tried to suggest otherwise, we do need carbohydrates, in the right amount and in the right type.

Because it is so important and because of the long-standing myths that surround it, protein has been the centerpiece of a number of different diet types. There have been high protein diets, all liquid protein diets and the supplement only diets. None of these work, at least not for the long term, and extremely high amounts of protein can be dangerous, especially to those who have diabetes, kidney disease or those who are at risk for these or other conditions. While it is important to finally manage to get your weight to a healthy number, it is just as important to do so by balancing the diet, including the amount of protein that you eat. Figuring out the amount that you need can be as simple as the answer to a few simple questions: how much do you weigh and how much exercise do you get? From these answers, you will know how many calories you need to take in to maintain your weight, how many to drop to lose weight and what percentage of those calories should be protein.

How Much Protein Do You Really Need?

Your body requires a certain number of calories to maintain its current weight. Even if you never move out of your bed, your body will use up some energy to breathe, to allow your heart to beat and to create hair, skin and nails. The more that you move around though, the more energy is being used up by the body, not only to do these reflexive activities that are vital to life, but also to do the other things that we want to do. We use energy to fold ourselves into pretzel shapes during yoga, to catch a ball, to take a slapshot at an opposing goalie or to lift weights. The more of these things that we do, the more energy we burn.

If we do not eat but we continue to push ourselves to do more and more exercise, especially endurance or high intensity exercise, our body will run out of its normal fuel that it typically burns and will turn instead to the muscles. During exercise, the body’s production of proteins will decrease, sometimes dramatically. Proteins that are already in the system will be converted to free amino acids and then used to provide the energy to these hard-working muscles. Even after exercise has ended, this breakdown will continue, for as much as 24 hours afterward. At this point, the body enters what is called the recovery period. The body’s goal at this time is to get more protein so that it can go to work repairing the muscles.

While you are exercising, you are causing small tears to appear in the muscle tissue, which is what may cause some of the achy, sore and fatigued feeling that you get after a hard workout. To repair these tears you need to first, take a day off (most serious body builders work one set of muscles at a time and work another the following day), and second, provide a supply of protein to work with. If there is not sufficient protein, the body will continue to break down its own protein supplies for energy, leading to a loss of lean muscle mass.

The amount of protein that you need depends on your weight and your activity level, but should never exceed a safe level. The American Heart Association suggests that a healthy diet should be no more than 35% protein. Men need more protein than women, simply because they tend to be bigger and weigh more. If you know the amount of daily calories that you need to eat, you can get a rough estimate of the best amounts of each nutrient that way.

To maintain weight, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that the diet be devised to provide 15% of the daily calories from protein, 35% from fat and 50% from carbohydrates. To lose weight, though, the numbers should be 30% protein, 20% fats and 50% carbohydrates. (Source: The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition) The higher level of protein helps to keep satiety levels high so that there is no sense of deprivation. The body needs the right amount of protein because not only is too much a problem, too little can be a problem as well. If we do not get enough protein, our body will continue to eat other foods to get it, leading to the consumption of more calories than we need. (Source: Science Alert, Massey University) It is far more simple and healthy to get the right amount of all of the macronutrients from healthy sources rather than making the body crave what it needs. Why do we succumb to the lure of the fast food restaurant yet again? Is it because we are starving to death, or is it simply because we are lacking something in our system? To keep our bodies running well and in good health without feeling deprived or wasting calories on foods that are not good for us, we should make sure that we are eating plenty of complex carbohydrates, healthy fats and getting the right amount of protein every day.

Protein Supplements

Most of us lead busy lives. We may spend our entire day in front of a computer sceen or running around with nothing in front of us but tail lights and our steering wheel. We know that we should not stop at that drive-thru, but when there is no end to our errands and we can’t fully remember our last meal, it may seem like salvation.

Adding protein supplements to the healthy diet plan can help to keep the extreme hunger at bay, especially when they are used as a between-meal snack. Protein is slow to digest in the body, working to stave off hunger in two ways. First, while the body is working to digest that protein-rich meal, it is not sending up new hunger signals. Second, the more slowly that a food digests, the less of a sugar spike there will be. Be careful with your choices, though, because many of them have more calories than they need, especially when your goal is weight loss. Profect, made by Protica, is only 100 calories but delivers a full 25 grams of hunger-busting protein, with high quality ingredients and delicious flavors.

Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein bullets for bariatric surgery patients. You can learn more at Protica Research – Copyright

Protein and Menopause Symptoms

Menopause is not a medical condition or a disease, but it can feel like it at times. Simply put, it is end of the menstrual cycle, marking the end of the child bearing years for a woman. The average age for most women in America is between 45 and 53; however there is a wide variation in the ages and the timing.

Menopause before the age of 40 is deemed premature and should be investigated for the reason. Most naturally occurring menopause is not a sudden thing but may take many years to start and end instead. It typically takes at least a year to be complete during which the woman may have occasional, light periods, or on the other side of the spectrum, heavy bleeding that can potentially cause anemia. Menopause is said to be complete after an entire twelve months have passed without any menstruation at all. After this year has passed, any bleeding or bloody discharge should be promptly investigated to rule out fibroids, polyps, lesions, or possible cancer (Source: Ammer, 2005).

There are no set patterns for menopause symptoms – some women get all of the classic symptoms, some women get a few for a day or so and then are not bothered any more. Some symptoms of menopause can be more problematic than others, while some can actually lead to more serious problems. Some of the most common symptoms of menopause:

- Hot flashes (the most common symptom)

- Vaginal atrophy (thinning of the vaginal walls, loss of elasticity and dryness which can lead to painful sex and susceptibility to infections

- Increased risk of osteoporosis

For most women (60-80%) only minor symptoms are noted. Occasionally the symptoms, especially the hot flashes, become more serious and can even be incapacitating. It is important that the menopausal woman keep up with all of the required health exams including breast examination, pap smears and others. An annual eye exam is also suggested to screen for glaucoma which becomes more problematic after the age of forty.

Why Diet is Important after Menopause

After menopause, the hormones are changed and flipped around. Estrogen, the hormone responsible for ovulation and the menstrual cycle, declines with menopause, leaving the woman with more of the male hormones instead. Both men and women tend to put on some weight, typically around their middle sections after they reach the age of about forty or so, regardless of diet, even with no change in intake or activity level. This weight may start to creep up on the middle aged person, the so called middle aged drift. Keeping the weight under control can help the menopausal woman stay healthier and more active; giving her better benefits. Staying active can lessen the risk of osteoporosis.

Every day, four thousand women enter menopause and because women are living longer than ever before, will spend about a third of their life post-menopausal. There are medications that can be taken, including replacement hormone therapy but there are drawbacks to them. There are herbal products that can be used to combat some of the symptoms but these can be dangerous and may even interact with prescription medications. Using dietary changes can ease symptoms, and can also help to keep the extra weight from piling on.

Soy Protein and Menopause

Soy based proteins have phytoestrogens which act like human based estrogens without some of the risk factors that estrogen replacement therapy can have. Some of the benefits of soy proteins:

- Reduction of hot flashes (in up to 45% cases)

- Decrease the feeling of vaginal dryness and the subsequent risks

- Decrease the bone loss

- An improved cholesterol profile. (soy protein can reduce the cholesterol level by nine points)

- Decreased risk of cancer

- Decreased risk of developing diabetes and better control of existing diabetes

- Decreased risk for kidney and gallstones

- Better control of the blood pressure

(Source: the Creighton University School of Medicine, Alternative Medicine)

Miso and Breast Cancer

Miso is a fermented, soy bean paste which has been shown to decrease breast cancer in Japanese women. In addition, the women who consumed the most miso soup were typically free from menopausal symptoms in four to twelve weeks. According to research that was done by Japan’s National Cancer Center, those women who consumed three bowls of miso soup every day were at a 40% lower risk for developing breast cancer, while those who just had two bowls of the soup every day had a 26% reduction in breast cancer risk (Source: Menopause Rx.com).

Additional Protein Sources

In addition to soy, which is the only plant based protein that contains all eight essential amino acids, making it complete, all other plant based proteins, (seeds, nuts, grains, and beans) lack one or more of the essential amino acids and should be eaten in combinations that can allow for the full range of amino acids to be part of the diet.

Animal based protein on the other hand is complete and includes meats, dairy foods, and eggs. Eggs are considered to be the perfect protein because all grams of protein in the egg are absorbed and digested by the body. Low fat dairy can be a beneficial way to get protein, however for those who are at increased risk for osteoporosis should be wary of skim milk’s phosphorous content which is potentially more problematic.

Protein supplements, which include soy, whey, egg, and rice protein, can be used as a meal replacement or as a between-meal snack. There are additional protein supplements as well which include protein bars and protein liquid supplements.

Protein Bars — Protein bars should have enough protein to qualify as a mini-meal but should not have extra sugar which lowers the nutritional benefit. Look for a bar that has at least ten grams of protein per serving but no more than five grams of sugar. Make sure that the calorie count will fit into your actual diet plan.

Liquid Protein Supplements — Profect from Protica, is available in several strengths, 25 grams/single serving, 50 grams/two serving and a multi-serving bottle as well as a number of different, fruit based flavors. Each serving is around 25 grams of protein with zero carbs and zero fats and one hundred calories.

In addition to digestible protein, Profect also has a number of vitamins in each serving. It can be consumed as is or can be mixed with water or fruit juice if you choose. Flavors include: Blue Raspberry Swirl, Grapefruit-Mango, Fresh Citrus Berry, Cool Melon Splash, Passion Fruit, Orange Pineapple, Ruby Melon Twist, Fuzzy Peach Nectar.

In addition, there is an all natural protein supplement, also from Protica called Proasis that is free from a number of harmful and potentially allergenic ingredients including yeast, wheat, and gluten. It is also lactose free and does not have any genetically modified organisms

Future Benefits of Protein

Research by the Ohio State University has shown that a particular protein (excitary amino acid transporter 2, EAAT2) may decrease bloating and the accompanying abdominal discomforts that it can produce. The protein does not affect the bloating itself, merely the brain’s perception of the pain that it feels. The study has been done with mice only so far, but may soon be performed on humans in hopes of using it to treat menopausal bloating as well as other gastrointestinal disorders. (Source: Inscience.org 2009).

Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein bullets for cancer patients. You can learn more at Protica Research – Copyright

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