Finding the Elusive Complete-Protein SourceWritten by Protica Research
Images of “protein powder” containers with accomplished bodybuilders on their labels help inform consumers that protein is a critical macronutrient in strength training success. Yet what is sometimes lost in this protein-bodybuilding link is that protein is an essential component for everyone, regardless of physical activity. Even those who live sedentary lives must ensure that their protein intake is complete and balanced.The importance of protein in diet is undeniable. Protein creates digestive enzymes, transports other vitamins and nutrients, builds and repairs body tissue, and helps keep harmful bacteria at bay[i]. These are bodily system function that all people need – not just bodybuilders and other athletes. Eating appropriate composition of protein in meals is, however, proving to be an unusually difficult challenge for many Americans. To begin with, many protein sources are not considered “complete” because they do not provide all of required amino acids necessary in order to build newer proteins. These incomplete proteins are often derived from fruit, grain, vegetable, and nut sources[ii]. However, alternative to these incomplete protein sources – such as meats and dairy – present their own unique dietary challenges. The first challenge with respect to these meat-based sources of complete protein is that they are not an option for vegetarians. While number of US vegetarians is difficult to pinpoint, educated estimates suggest that there are about 6 million adult vegetarians in US, and number is growing annually[iii]. Therefore, 6 million adult Americans cannot access complete protein through meat sources. The second challenge is that many meat- and dairy-based meals in US are excessively high in saturated fat, calories, sodium, and other unhealthy elements. As such, while those who frequent fast food restaurants for their source of complete protein may not suffer from protein deficiency, a disconcerting number of these people will suffer from poor health. This includes: obesity, clogged arteries, high blood pressure, and other adverse consequences what medical experts call “social irresponsibility” of fast food industry[iv]. The clear challenge for nutritional experts is to identify a protein source that is both healthy and complete. The consequences of not finding a suitable protein source range from underperforming digestive systems and chemical imbalances to ill effects of a condition called “Kwashiorkor”. More frequent in developing countries but with reported incidinces in US, Kwashiorkor occurs in extreme protein-deficiency situations when when body cannibalizes itself in a desperate attempt to find a source of protein. Several attempts have been made to find ideal complete protein source: one that is healthy, accessible to all eaters, and convenient. Indeed, this last criterion of convenience is of particular importance, because many Americans in 21st century evidently have less time to eat than ever before. Some of these attempts to find ideal complete protein source hearken back a few generations. The classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich has been adopted as a complete protein source by some, but rejected by many more. While peanut butter does provide a good source of protein, sodium content of most grocery store peanut butter brands, and high carbohydrate and fat levels of average “PB&J on white” keep it from being an ideal choice[v].
| | Undiscovered Feelings of Premature BabiesWritten by Robina Hearle
My sister and I were both premature babies. At time of writing, I am 46 and she is 53. The feelings we experienced at that time have recently surfaced for both of us. We now realise that feelings that we experienced then have coloured our lives. Recently I connected to a devastating and deep feeling of sadness; it was like a black hole of emotion. This has occurred twice whilst I have been at a Reiki Share. As I Talked about feeling, I remembered story of my birth. I had been born early one morning at home, seven weeks prematurely. It was in 1950's in a small Suffolk village. The local G.P. came and convinced I would not survive, wrapped me in a blanket and put me on front seat of his sports car to take me to Ipswich Hospital. There I was put straight into an incubator. My father rang hospital next day to see how I was. The Ward Sister said she wanted me named because it was still thought I would die. Mother, recovering from birth, was of course not able to visit hospital straight away. As I recalled this story, my heart began to race and tears came to my eyes, I realised I had identified cause of feeling. This has since happened again, and as I talked emotion surfaced once more. As a young child, this deep emotion surfaced several times and I remember crying myself to sleep in this deep misery, never knowing from where it came. So, at last I have opportunity to clear this emotional baggage. For my sister, she has a deep feeling of being sad and alone and not wanting to be so.'Sue's story: Throughout my life I have always got fed up, down or depressed on or around my birthday in early September. It has often lasted from a few days to two months (longer if it was connected to a life changing trigger). The onset always seemed to be September no matter what avoidance tactics I tried to use. For many years I had thought (without any evidence) that this could be linked to being born prematurely in September and being in an incubator for two months. It wasn’t until I did Reiki that I realised this could indeed be case. After a course of Metamorphic Technique about three years ago, I have never been depressed at that time again. Recently, however, another aspect of this came up following a family emergency. As I dealt with it (alone initially), I was overwhelmed with waves of deep sadness, fear and unbearable feelings of being absolutely and totally alone and unable to cope. As I discussed this with my sister later, I was suddenly able to see pattern. I thought about all other life changing events in my life when I had felt these emotions. When would I have had my first experience of being/feeling totally alone, isolated, full of fear, with intense sadness? Answer, when I was born two months prematurely, taken from my mother and put in an incubator for two months!’
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