Eating with a purpose

True healthy eating involves eating with a purpose. What are you eating and why? The foods that you select should be carefully selected and should possess the nutrients needed to over come some health issues and promote overall good health.

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Plant Proteins

Pea Protein

Excellent Amino Acid Profile
Yellow peas supply a unique array of amino acids, the building blocks of body tissue (including skin, hair and nails), muscles, DNA/RNA, hormones, enzymes that help your body function normally, and even your immune system!  Being rich in lysine and arginine, pea protein is especially beneficial for active lifestyles.


Pea protein has a high Lysine contentPea protein has a high Lysine content!
Lysine cannot be made in the body and must therefore be consumed through the diet. Lysine is the precursor of carnitine, the molecule responsible for converting fatty acids into energy and helping to lower cholesterol. Lysine also appears to help absorb calcium and plays an important role in the formation of collagen—the building block of connective tissue such as bones, cartilage, skin, tendons. It supports the normal growth and development of children and plays a role in the maintenance of a healthy immune system. Lysine deficiency is rare in typical American diets but can be a risk for strict vegetarians, vegans or elite athletes. Insufficient lysine can lead to fatigue, nausea, dizziness, loss of appetite, agitation, bloodshot eyes, slow growth, anemia, and reproductive disorders. Although the US has not set daily individual amino acid requirement levels, two studies have indicated that the estimated average requirement for lysine for a 70kg human ranges between 800-3000mg/day.

Branched Chain Amino AcidsBranched Chain Amino Acids refers to the amino acids: leucine, isoleucine and valine.
Together they make up 40% of the daily requirement for essential amino acids in humans. This means they are needed in relatively greater quantities than the remaining six essential amino acids. They are so called because of their chemical structure and are primarily taken up (absorbed) and catabolized (broken down for energy) within the muscle. This makes them of particular importance to athletes or exercise enthusiasts. Despite its plant-based origin, our pea protein is a great source of BCAAs!


Iron Content
30% Iron Content

Iron is an integral part of human physiology and is required for the transportation of oxygen throughout the body as well as regulation of cell growth and differentiation. Plant-based foods provide a source of non-heme iron for the body to absorb. Pea protein provides 30% of the iron required per day in a single serving. Combining this product with citric acids (e.g. lemon/lime/orange juice) or lactic acid (often found in yogurts) will optimize the absorption of the iron content. In unrestricted diets, iron absorption can also be enhanced when consumed with animal-based protein. Iron absorption can be inhibited when consumed with coffee, tea or foods rich in calcium.

vegetarian & vegan
Vegetarian and Vegan
Yellow pea protein powder provides a supplemental source of dietary protein for vegetarians and/or vegans who cannot use animal proteins. Due to advances in protein extraction methods, yellow pea protein can successfully be extracted from the legume. Since protein is an essential macro-nutrient often lacking in vegetarians, protein powders can help fill the nutritional gap.

Allergen-free food
Allergen-Friendly
Some individuals simply cannot tolerate egg, milk and soy-derived protein due to allergies. For example, the milk sugar called lactose can cause severe allergic reactions that result in unwanted gastrointestinal side effects like nausea, bloating, diarrhea or vomiting. Yellow pea protein powder is suitable for almost any user. It also contains no gluten, the wheat protein that some manufacturers add to powders or products. Most yellow proteins are organic and contain little or no artificial colors, sweeteners or fillers.

Muscle recovery
Muscle Recovery
Muscles are structures made mostly from protein. Intense physical training or simply every day activities can cause muscle to breakdown on a daily basis.  The American College of Sport Medicine and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics  stresses the importance of protein  and carbohydrate replenishment after any extensive strength training, strenuous activity or endurance sport in order to optimize recovery. A review of the latest guidelines for exercise and sport nutrition published in 2013 advises 20-25 grams of high quality protein after exercise to maximize recovery and benefits.

Thermic Effect of Protein
Proteins have a “thermic” effect, meaning that they create heat in the body through the process of digestion. Since proteins take a lot of energy to digest, you burn more calories after eating a meal high in protein. In fact, up to 30 percent of protein’s calories get burned through its digestion according to “The Abs Diet” by David Zinczenko. Building a weight loss strategy around  lean sources of protein like yellow pea powder makes nutritional sense.

Blood Sugar
Dietary protein has another important affect on your weight loss efforts. Blood sugar will spike in response to carbohydrate based foods meals thereby causing the pancreas to secrete the hormone insulin to facilitate the storage of circulating nutrients. Large insulin spikes that result from high or simple carbohydrate-containing meals (e.g. white rice, white bread or sweets) may trigger fat storage and may lead to insulin resistance according to “The Fat Burning Bible” by Mackie Shilstone. This can also lead to subsequent drastic drops in blood sugar which result in fatigue. Consuming or combining protein with a meal helps to regulate this blood sugar and insulin effect to potentially prevent body fat storage. Protein has another important effect on your weight loss efforts.

Cranberry Seed Protein Powder

Cranberry seed protein powder is packed with antioxidants, which maintain their structure through the processing. Despite the name, cranberry protein doesn’t taste like cranberries. It has a neutral flavor. In fact, cranberry protein isn’t made from cranberries at all. Instead, it’s made from cranberry seeds.

Cranberry protein contains 25% protein content by weight. To put that number in perspective, soy protein powder is made up of 90% protein, whey has 80%, and even hemp protein powder has 50%.
So why is cranberry protein powder worth a look? It’s because it’s the only plant-derived protein powder that includes all 22 amino acids, including the 9 essential amino acids.

For those who don’t know, amino acids are the building blocks of protein. They’re required by your muscles after activity in order to rebuild. Many people take a BCAA supplement specifically to get their amino acids, while others buy protein powders based on their amino acid profile.

With cranberry protein, there’s no need to add a BCAA supplement powder into your smoothie. Each serving of cranberry protein has everything you need. To make things even better, cranberry protein also has omega 3, 6, and 9 essential fatty acids. It’s also high in fiber and rich with flavonoids.

Benefits of Cranberry Protein
— 100% plant-based protein
— Only plant-based protein to include all 22 amino acids, including the 9 essential amino acids
— Includes high levels of omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids
— High in fiber
Rich with flavonoids and antioxidants, which can help reduce aging and fight back against disease
— Neutral flavor
— Easy-to-mix texture (perfect for drinks and cooking)

Chia Seed Protein Powder

Chia is packed with many vitamins and minerals including:
  • Heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids including a-linolenic acid (ALA)
  • Essential minerals including calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and zinc
  • Vitamins: B2, B3, C
  • Soluble fiber
  • Antioxidants including flavonoids and phenolic acids
  • Protein
These nutrients found in chia seeds have been linked to several health benefits:

1) Increases Energy & Endurance
Chia has an extremely high energy-to-weight ratio, providing more energy than most popular whole grains including wheat, rice, and oats. Chia provides a slow and stable release of glucose into the bloodstream during and following its digestion, helping the body to maintain a steady energy supply, and build stamina.

2) Promotes Hydration & Electrolyte Balance
Chia seeds are hygroscopic, and have the unique ability to absorb more than 12 times their weight in water. This quality allows chia to help support and prolong hydration, and to retain electrolytes in the body, particularly during physical exertion and exercise.

3) Chia May Help Lower Blood Pressure
There are many beneficial components of chia that may be responsible for the reduced systolic blood pressure associated with chia consumption observed in research: vegetable protein, complex carbohydrates, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, dietary fiber, antioxidants, minerals.

4) Chia Helps Regulate Blood Glucose Levels
High levels of soluble fiber in chia help to slow the breakdown of complex carbohydrates to be released into the bloodstream as glucose. The unique hygroscopic property of chia is said to occur in the stomach after consumption, creating a gel barrier between the carbohydrates and digestive enzymes. Slowing the conversion of carbohydrates to sugar in the body allows for a slow and steady release of glucose into the bloodstream, and a steady insulin response.

5) Chia May Support Weight Loss
The slow and steady release of glucose into the bloodstream results in more consistent and balanced energy levels, allowing the body to feel full for a longer period of time, while quieting cravings for sugar-filled junk foods and simple carbohydrates. While this is not supported by everyone, it’s suggested the tiny seeds soak up fluid and expand in the digestive tract, keeping you feeling full and satisfied.

Sacha Inchi Protein

Inca peanut, otherwise known as sacha inchi, is a powerful superfood chock-full of omega-3s, protein and fiber. As an inflammation fighter, sacha inchi is extraordinary. The brain, bones and joints all benefit from the remarkable nutrition of this little known edible. These Amazonian nuts are also a formidable protector against cancer, heart disease and free-radicals.

The 3,000-year-old crop that nourished an empire
The ancient Incas of Peru were well acquainted with the nutritional force behind sacha inchi. Cultivated over 3,000 years ago, this revered plant was inscribed on Inca tombs. These warriors extracted the oil from the seeds for cooking, but also recognized the advantage of consuming the prepared leaves and roasted seeds. Exceptionally plentiful in beneficial fats (14 grams per ounce), unsaturated fatty acids (linoleum, linolenic), protein (nine grams per ounce) and vitamins A and E, sacha inchi was an important staple of the Incan diet. It is also a high-yield crop, producing an abundance of seeds per hectare.

Inflammation taming, brain boosting and bone strengthening food
As a unique vegetarian source of omega-3 fatty acids, sacha inchi tames inflammation quickly. These fats are also easy to digest, unlike many fish oils. This means more of the inflammation crushing compounds, like resolvins and protectins, are absorbed and utilized by the body. Since inflammation is the root of most disease, it is important to keep it in check. Health benefits of sacha inchi include:

A better brain - Research has shown that a deficiency of omega-3s can trigger mental illness, depression and lack of clarity. But when omega-3s are added to the diet, these issues are reversed. When inflammation is reduced in the brain, mood and mental health improves. An Italian study found that participants who consumed omega-3s for just one month reported a sharper mind, elevated mood, increased focus and improved complex information processing. Sacha inchi is also an abundant source of tryptophan, an important feel-good neurotransmitter.

Healthier bones - Omega-3s help the body to efficiently absorb calcium. In the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, a study of 1,500 men and women found that those who consumed the highest amounts of omega-3s also had the highest bone density and bone mineral levels. Specific bone-building hormones and biochemicals were elevated as well.

Protection against cancer - When adequate levels of omega-3s are found in the diet, cancer risk is reduced. In human clinical trials, omega-3s were shown to protect breast and prostate cells from mutation. For those who added omega-3s to their diet, biochemical protectors increased an impressive 40 percent compared to those who did not supplement.

Brain and bone health along with cancer protection aren't the only benefits of sacha inchi nuts. This superfood also:

- Eases joint pain

- Prevents premature aging

- Supports balanced glucose levels

- Improves vision and eye health

- Encourages healthy skin and hair

- Promotes cardiovascular well-being

- Curbs free radical damage

An exceptional source of nourishment, sacha inchi helped to keep the ancient Incan civilization strong, healthy and balanced. And now, modern warriors who desire a clear mind, fit body and ageless glow can reap the powerful benefits of this extraordinary food as well.



Vegetarian and Vegan Approved Protein Shake. Shop at www.truefitnessbootcamp.com




Sources:
http://www.naturalnews.com/038609_sacha_inchi_Incas_superfood.html
http://www.builtlean.com/2013/02/27/chia-seeds/
http://supplementpolice.com/cranberry-protein/
http://growingnaturals.com/knowledge/our-proteins/why-pea-protein/