Protein

When we talk about the "quality" of protein, what are we really talking about? What is a high-quality protein? What is a low-quality protein? Which is better for you?

Read "The China Study" by T. Colin Campbell...because a lot of this is from that book.

First off, there are 20 amino acids that combine to make protein that our body uses to build muscle. 11 of those are produced by the body naturally. And 9 are not, we must consume those via food.

We've all heard that an "egg" is the highest quality protein available, because it is a 99% complete protein. So, for the longest time, I've eaten eggs thinking that it was the best protein source available. I've also taken whey protein (from milk) as a supplement, with the same assumptions. But, let's go back an analyze the difference between "highest quality" and "best".

What is the highest quality protein available? Ummm ... eggs? Nope. That's right, "human flesh." Yes, look at Timmy or Johnny, because they are the highest quality protein available. And why is that? Because human flesh matches up 100% with the protein profile for humans. And thus, eggs match up very closely, and is the next highest quality protein available. So, "quality" is a measure of how the protein profiles match with our own.

What about plant protein? Plant protein is considered "low-quality" because it is "incomplete" and it doesn't match our protein profile as well as eggs and animal proteins. Different plants have different protein profiles, and in combination, they complete each other (like beans and rice for example). Greens, veggies, and fruits are similar.

Okay, so the $20,000 question. Which is better for you? We've learned that animal proteins are fertilizers for cancer and disease, and if you rid yourself of dairy and animal meats, that you're much better off. But, what about proteins and keeping our muscle? Well, it turns out if you eat a variety of fresh vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, seeds, and some whole grains, you'll have plenty of protein building blocks, all that you'll ever need. And here's the catch, you don't need to eat them as a complete protein set all at the same time. For example, you can have beans at one meal, rice much later, and you're body will combine them to form a complete protein. Of you can have greens one meal, other veggies another meal, and your body will combine them later.

And the bottom line is that plant-based proteins provide all the necessary building blocks (amino acids) that you'll ever need, without any of the disease-causing side effects. So, if you're still eating animal proteins because you think they're the best available, reconsider. Do your own research, experiment, and then come to your own conclusions. Maybe you'll see that you can definitely live without animal proteins, and that your muscles will be fine.