Protein
Dr. Brice E. Vickery
©2007 SuperNutrient Corporation
Protein Deficient? Chances Are You Are!
Did you know that 9 out of 10 people lack the proper amount of protein in their systems in order for their bodies to function properly? Even though you may be eating a sufficient amount of protein does not mean that your body is utilizing it. When our dietary proteins are consumed in the proper amount and balance, as well as properly digested, our bodies will create systemic proteins, which keep our bodies intact. When our diet is lacking in this essential nutrient, our pancreas will stop creating the enzymes for proper digestion, and our body will become unable to manufacture much needed systemic protein. In a very short period of time this deficiency will cause our bodies to malfunction and we will begin experiencing the symptoms of disease.
Why Is Protein Important?
Protein is throughout our body, providing structure, function, and organization. It is in our skin, nails and hair. It is in our blood, lymph, and plasma. It enables our muscles to contract. It provides integrity to the walls of our intestines. It fights infection in our body and repairs any tissue damage that occurs. It is in our bone and brain cells. It makes the enzymes that digest our food, repair damaged DNA, and regulate all chemical reactions in our body. It forms lung cells. It carries oxygen to cells. It removes toxins from the liver. It makes up all neurotransmitters except one. It maintains a proper pressure differential between the fluid inside and outside of our cells. It makes 95 percent of all hormones in the body as well as carrying hormones, vitamins, fatty acids and minerals to the cells.
The list goes on and on. The point is that when we talk about protein we are not talking about a part of the system, we are talking about the system itself. When we assimilate protein into the system daily, we are keeping the entire system intact. When we are protein deficient, we will begin to miss pieces of our system resulting in systemic malfunction. It would be as if the foundation of your house started to degrade and so the walls cracked. Then the roof tiles started to degrade and so the rain came in and rotted floor. Then the insulation degraded and the unprotected wiring inside shorted out and set the rest of your unstable, rotting house on fire! Luckily the materials comprising your house are pretty stable and last for years before degrading. Protein, however, is not stable, it is constantly being used up and exchanged for new protein in a process called “protein turnover.” About one pound of protein a day is used up in this process, and so it needs to be replenished from the diet on a daily basis. Here are some examples of turnover times for different body proteins:
- enzymes: 7–10 min.
- insulin: 30 min.
- liver protein: 10 days
- muscle protein: 60days
- In 1 year all the protein in our body has turned over.
How Are Proteins Made?
When dietary protein is consumed in a healthy system it is broken down by stomach acid and pancreatic enzymes into amino acids, (the molecules from which protein is made) absorbed through the small intestine, and made available to the body for systemic protein production. Literally thousands of different kinds of proteins are being manufactured constantly in our body from 20 different amino acids. The body can make 10 of these, and 10 are considered “essential”, meaning they must be acquired from the diet.
What Happens If You Don't Get The Proper Amino Acids?
Amino acids must be present in the body in the sufficient quantity and proper ratio to one another in order for protein production to properly occur. Research is finding consistently, that when amino acids are low, missing or out of balance, the body will begin to malfunction. This malfunction starts with the digestive system. Poor diet as well as certain illnesses (such as alcoholism and hepatitis) cause amino acid deficiency due to pancreatic malfunction because, when the pancreas can not make digestive enzymes (remember these are made from amino acids) in sufficient quantity, dietary protein will not be broken down sufficiently to be used by the body for systemic protein production. Lack of systemic protein means the liver will start clogging with toxins, wounds will heal more and more slowly and blood sugars will be less stable. Mineral and vitamin deficiencies occur, hormones become unbalanced. The brain will cease making enough of certain important chemicals leading to mood disorders, hyperactivity, attention deficit, and depression. Immune system proteins become low diminishing the work of antioxidants, leaving the body prey to viral and bacterial infection.
How Can You Keep This From Happening?
Dr. Vickery’s Platinum Plus Amino Acids are a balanced blend of amino acids. When Platinum Plus Amino Acids enter the body and move through the stomach, immediate production of systemic protein begins. Pancreatic cells churn out digestive enzymes, which properly break down foods into more amino acids. Amino acids are then carried all over the body to produce the thousands of proteins necessary to sustain the structure and function of our body.
In a well functioning system the body will not over produce any of the 10 non–essential amino acids. The amino acid production process has a built in mechanism to keep this from occurring. The 10 essential amino acids in Platinum Plus Amino Acids are combined in a balanced blend to encourage optimal amino acid activity in the system. The Vickerys’ clinical studies have consistently found that a well balanced diet supplemented with Platinum Plus Amino Acids along with the vitamin blend Bio Multi Plus and the essential fatty acid blend Platinum Flax/Borage, will maintain a healthy system and revitalize a diseased one.
