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The individual cells that replace themselves on a daily to monthly basis contain over 100 000 different proteins made up of 20 different amino acids. Food is the source to provide our bodies with the much needed plant and animal proteins containing the amino acids that our bodies require as the building blocks. Without a daily supply of these proteins our bodies and minds deteriorate as we are not able to fully replace the dying cells in our internal and external organs.
Protein is therefor essential for the growth of cells and tissue repair.
Our bodies require approximately 46 grams of protein per day for women and 58 grams of protein per day for men. Contrary to common believes meat and milk products are actually poor sources of protein simply they contain high amounts of harmful fats compared to other protein sources such as fish, nuts, breads and vegetables.
- A single stalk of broccoli contains 5 grams of protein and no fat
- A single medium sized potato contains 6 grams pf protein and no fat
- A 170 gram serving of fish contains 35 grams of protein with 2 grams of fat
- A 170 gram steak contains 39 grams of protein with 55 grams of fat
- A 170 gram serving of chicken (light and dark meat) contains 46 grams of protein with 25 grams of fat.
The alternative Soy! Soy is the best low-fat source of proteins, carbohydrates, fibers, vitamins and minerals available today. Soybeans contain more protein by weight than beef, fish, or chicken with no cholesterol and little saturated fat - and the only "complete" vegetable protein.
Our bodies require 20 basic amino acids from proteins, 11 of which can be produced by our bodies known as non-essential amino acids. The other nine, known as essential amino acids, must come from our food. Soy protein provides all nine missing amino acids which makes soy as complete in protein as in milk or meat products without the hormones, saturated fat or calories.
In October 1999 the FDA announced that soy producers may claim that "consuming 25 grams of soy protein a day may help consumers lower their bad cholesterol and reduce their risk of heart disease" The American Heart Association endorsed the same claim one year later.
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