(27-10-11) Quality protein is critical for muscle fiber growth and rejuvenation (Opinion)

by Dr. David Jockers

(NaturalNews) Healthy lean body tissue depends upon an adequate supply of high
quality protein. The protein acts to repair damaged muscle tissue and provide
growth factors that improve muscle fiber growth and rejuvenation. It is
significantly more important to value the quality of the protein source than
the quantity of protein provided.

What Constitutes High Quality Protein
High quality protein is completely whole and non-denatured. It contains
essential vitamins, minerals, enzymes and other natural co-factors. These
components are very important for overall amino acid utilization and energy
production. Protein digests to form an acidic ash. These co-factors help
provide alkaline substances that maintain normal acid/base balance.

There is a tremendous amount of processing that takes place to produce a
protein isolate. It is completely unnatural. This processing strips out the
natural proteolytic enzymes, minerals, & anti-oxidants. This reduces overall
bioavailability and creates a highly acidic and inflammatory food product.

Branched Chain Amino Acids
The branched chain amino acids (BCAA's) leucine, isoleucine and valine are
especially important for building muscle. Many research trials have shown that
BCAA's improve red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum albumin,
fasting glucose levels, increased glycogenesis and rapid improvement in
muscular inflammation. These attributes make optimizing BCAA content extremely
important for overall health and performance.

The BCAA leucine is the only amino acid that helps to stimulate muscle cell
DNA to increase muscle protein synthesis. Muscle cells contain an inhibitory
enzyme named 4E-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1). Leucine stimulates the cellular
phosphorylation of 4E-BP1, effectively removing it. The removal of 4E-BP1
allows for greater activation of factors involved with muscle protein
synthesis.

The best food sources for BCAA's such as leucine are found in high quality
dairy products. Raw cheese, milk, yogurt, kefir and non-denatured whey protein
are the most bioavailable forms of these critical nutrients. These BCAA's
should always be consumed as whole foods and not as synthetically derived
supplements, which are of inferior quality.

The daily leucine consumption should be 1-3 grams per day to maintain body
protein. To optimize the anabolic pathways one would need between 8-16 grams
daily. Optimizing anabolic pathways enhances muscle repair, growth, &
rejuvenation. This is desirable for a healthy physique, anti-aging and maximal
performance.

Non-denatured whey protein concentrate from grass-fed cows is one of the elite
superfoods for human consumption. It provides the best profile of essential
amino acids and conditionally essential amino acids. It is by far the most
bioavailable form of leucine.

Fast & Slow Releasing Proteins
Fast assimilating proteins such as raw, grass-fed milk, whey, cheese & yogurt
work best to have during daytime hours. They are very easy on the digestive
system, and they move into muscle tissue and initiate the repair process
immediately.

These sources should ideally be replenished with another 20 grams of protein
every 3-4 hours to maximize muscle recovery. During the daytime hours, this
should be in a low calorie form to reduce digestive stress and maintain high
cognitive and kinetic energy.

Slow release proteins are better to have at night as they digest over time,
moving into muscle tissue and forming enzymes in the body slowly. This
maintains optimal protein synthesis and positive nitrogen balance during sleep
while the body is in a fasting state.

Slow release proteins are found in healthy meat sources such as grass-fed
beef, bison, buffalo & deer. Free range turkey, chicken, & eggs as well as wild-
caught fish are good sources. Be sure to add phytonutrient rich vegetables,
fresh lemon & apple cider vinegar (ACV) to balance the acids and free radicals
formed during the cooking process. Lemon and ACV provide proteolytic enzymes
and microorganisms to enhance the protein assimilation process.

Sources For This Article Include:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leucine
http://www.exrx.net/Nutrition/Suppl...
Hofmekler, Ori. Unlock Your Muscle Gene. North Atlantic Books. 2011

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