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By Iva Cannon


Did you know that adults need at least 40 grams of good-quality protein a day? Do you know how many grams you're getting? Most people fail to get adequate amounts of this vital nutrient. People of all ages need proteins for growth and development, energy, and tissue repair. Protein-rich foods are great for weight control, because they make us feel full faster and stay satisfied longer. One way to ensure getting sufficient amounts of this important nutrient is by using organic protein powder.

Getting 40 grams a day is hard for many people, even those who watch their diet carefully. Those who don't eat meat often have trouble getting an adequate amount. People who are allergic to dairy products are unable to profit from that rich source. Animal foods are 'complete', in that they contain the basic amino acids which are the building blocks of all proteins. Vegetable sources seldom have all eight essential amino acids.

Research, especially in the natural foods industry, has shown that people do better on some proteins than on others, which is another complication for those who seek to maintain or improve health. Vegetarians and vegans, who have more trouble finding good sources of proteins, may find that they don't have the time or the patience to structure an adequate eating plan. Many ailments, such as fibromyalgia and debilitating lack of energy, are made more serious by a lack of proteins.

Food sensitivities and allergies complicate the problem. For those intolerant of milk proteins, for example, dairy foods are toxic rather than beneficial. The Blood Type Diet is a book and eating system that seeks to inform people about the best foods for their body type. What is good for one person may be bad for another.

There is another prevalent reason why people fail to get the necessary proteins. They may simply be too busy. Grabbing carbohydrate and fat-laden fast foods or snacks, or skipping meals altogether, can mean a lack of many vital nutrients.

Powdered protein mixes are one answer. The proteins are often combined with vitamins, minerals, and enzymes (or pretreated with enzymes) to make them nutritious and digestible. Some powders may be dehydrated whole food, like whey, but most are concentrated. The idea is to deliver one-fourth to half of the daily requirement for proteins in one serving. The powders can be mixed with water or juice as a drink or with yogurt or cereal as a nutritional boost.

Those without food restrictions can make use of all the proteins on the market today. This includes soy and whey, the more traditional ones, and newer formulas based on peas, nuts, or sea vegetables. Whey can often be used by even lactose-intolerant individuals, since it contains almost none of the allergen. However, those people may choose to use soy or pea proteins instead. Soy, a potent phytoestrogen, may not be the best choice for men.

Choosing organic allows consumers to avoid ingredients that were grown with massive applications of chemicals. It also means that no ingredients will be genetically modified, a process which is far from natural and is of concern to many. The safety of genetic engineering has not yet been proved.




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