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How Does Protein Help Me With Medical Weight Loss? Until lately, protein had garnered little attention. It was overshadowed by the importance of carbohydrates, fat, and vitamins. Lately, there has been an emerging interest in protein, largely influenced by high-protein diets for weight loss. Little is actually known about protein and health. The Institute of Medicine recommends that an average adult get a minimum of 0.8 grams of protein per every kilogram of body weight in a day. This keeps tissues from slowly breaking down. This translates to about 8 grams of protein for every 20 pounds of body weight. Other than that, there is relatively little information on the ideal amount of protein in a diet, the amount of calories protein should contribute, or the best kind of protein. Around the globe, many people do not consume enough protein. Protein malnutrition gives way to a condition known as kwashiorkor. The lack of protein can cause growth failure, loss of muscle mass, decreased immunity, heart and respiratory system weakness, and death. In the U.S. and other developed countries, the minimum daily requirement of protein is easily attained. Cereal with milk in the morning, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch, and a piece of chicken with a side of beans for dinner is roughly 70 grams of protein; sufficient for the average adult.
There Are Differences in Protein Some of the protein you consume contains amino acids that are necessary to build new proteins. This is a complete protein. This type of protein is found in animal sources of protein. Other proteins lack one or more essential amino acids—meaning that essential amino acids are those that the body cannot make from scratch or create by changing another amino acid. Known as incomplete proteins, these usually come from fruits, vegetables, grains, and nuts. Vegetarians should be aware of this deficiency. To obtain all of the amino acids to make new proteins in the body—and keep the body’s systems in good shape—they should eat a variety of protein-containing foods each day. For further information about protein and our medical weight loss programs in Tampa and Brandon FL, click here. |