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
Copyright 2004 - Protica Research - http://www.protica.com
According to the renowned research scientist and inventor of the... Read More
Food nutrition factsFinding food nutrition facts and dietary nutrition used... Read More
Diets don't work. If they did the U.S. of A.... Read More
The word cholesterol has become synonymous with poor health. Indeed,... Read More
If you're looking for a power-packed entrée or soup to... Read More
Almost every woman suffers with premenstrual syndrome at one time... Read More
Following a diet program of any sort can sometimes be... Read More
My name is Mildred Shears. I'm retired and I live... Read More
If you want to build muscle, lose body fat or... Read More
Your magnificent machine is, in fact, a symbiotic collection of... Read More
Protein must be a part of a healthy diet for... Read More
For a considerable amount of time, nutrition has not played... Read More
You are what you eat is a simple, time tested... Read More
The factors that affect the nutritional requirements of an individual... Read More
With today's time constraints, stressful jobs, and "thin is in"... Read More
The subject of health care itself often seems plagued with... Read More
The importance of protein in a healthy diet is well... Read More
Established in 1989 by Stephen DeFelice, "Foundation for Innovation in... Read More
Dr. Christine Wood, M.D, a practicing pediatrician in Encinitas, California,... Read More
Some experts consider carbohydrate craving and addiction as something more... Read More
The field of nutrition is awash with charts, tables, diagrams,... Read More
Mango is my favorite fruit next to pineapples. They're sweet,... Read More
There are a lot of very good reasons to eat... Read More
Sugar intake is a real concern for people who've had... Read More
Before we get to honey we have a question from... Read More
Are You Half The Man Your Father Was?It is a... Read More
Media coverage of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has incited... Read More
(ARA) - By now you probably think you've heard all... Read More
If you are like most people, you don't enjoy the... Read More
Did you know that the food you eat when you... Read More
In health circles there has been much recent talk about... Read More
While packages of the artificial sweetener Splenda claim, "made from... Read More
There are numerous diets out there that guarantee that they... Read More
With so much 'diet advice' around today it is little... Read More
Many people experience unpleasant reactions to foods they have eaten... Read More
Dieting is a pain. I think basically everyone would agree... Read More
When you take your food next time, take care of... Read More
Arthritis - if you suffer from this illness, I don't... Read More
The Benefits of Green Tea Extract: Anti-Aging, Anti-Cancer, Weight Control... Read More
Every day we are bombarded with information about food products... Read More
(ARA) - By now you probably think you've heard all... Read More
I read a lot about the topics of health and... Read More
Come on, guys and gals. Those Trix are for kids.And... Read More
For a considerable amount of time, nutrition has not played... Read More
Nails are a protective horn at the end of our... Read More
In a world where heart disorders and diseases are becoming... Read More
Food addiction isn't a problem. Pretending like you can't live... Read More
The first place that we cut corners when we are... Read More
Finally, dieters and healthy eaters everywhere have reason to rejoice,... Read More
Unhealthy eating is a harmful problem in America, and contrary... Read More
The secret of success is knowing how to deal with... Read More
The natural antioxidants in Oat Bran can significantly reduce blood... Read More
Get back to the basics - eat fresh at home... Read More
The American Heart Association recommends that you eat a variety... Read More
Essential fatty acids are the number one recommendation for anyone... Read More
Here is a continuation of the light and darkness metaphor:... Read More
What are Glyconutrients? Glyconutrients are eight newly discovered biologically-active sugars... Read More
There seems to be fairly poor tracking by any formal... Read More
Finding simple ways to reduce my waistline is always a... Read More
I know that the headline is a oldie, but it... Read More
Constipation is a condition whereby the fecal matter traveling through... Read More
Do you know the risks to daily intakes of Starbucks... Read More
With summer comes more sun and with more sun comes... Read More
This free list of fat burning foods will help you... Read More
Omega-3 appear to reduce the risk of heart attack. A... Read More
Cholesterol is present in our bodies by one of two... Read More
Nutrition |