| Please notice that dark green leafy vegetables contain similar or larger amounts of amino acids than the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA).
As you can see from this chart, one pound of kale has even more protein than is recommended by the USDA per day. Yet, by erroneously placing all parts of plants (roots, stalks, blossoms, spears, greens, etc.) into the category of vegetables, and assuming they have the same properties, we have mistakenly concluded that greens are a poor source of protein. This inaccurate conclusion has led to the malnour-ishment and suffering of people for decades. |
Mike Adams
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 Aspartame differs from other types of artificial sweeteners in that it is a dipeptide, a molecule made by joining two amino acids together; in other words, it's a tiny protein fragment. It can enter the bloodstream intact and find its way through the circulation to a vulnerable area of the brain called the bare area, where it can gain entry to the brain. Why is that a problem? The brain is quite picky about what it lets in and what it keeps out. |
| The heavy use of MSG in restaurants
Many meals served in restaurants contain very high doses of MSG and other excitotoxic amino acids. In fact, they equal or even exceed experimental doses that regularly produce brain lesions in animals. (Remember, humans concentrate glutamate in their blood following a meal containing MSG higher than any other known species of animal.) Even a single bowl of soup may contain several grams of MSG. Most salad dressings are loaded with MSG and hydrolyzed vegetable protein (also labeled as vegetable protein), as are croutons. |
| One of the side effects of excitotoxins is they also enhance the flavor of foods by overexciting the sensory cells on the tongue:
Excitotoxins are taste or flavor enhancers that release glutamate and other brain-active amino acids, such as aspartate and cysteine. The best known example of an excitotoxin is monosodium glutamate (MSG). High blood levels of MSG can cross the normally protective blood-brain barrier. If glutamine levels are inappropriately raised, neurons fire abnormally and at higher levels, brain cells begin to die (Shefrin 1999; Dodd 2002). |
| As they explain it:
First were claims that because the body breaks down the dipeptide molecule (a linkage of two amino acids) into methanol (wood alcohol), a known toxin that can cause blindness, and formaldehyde, a known cancer-causing agent, the product posed significant safety risks to the public. Subsequent to the publication of Protein Power, however, scientific papers came to our attention ... that caused us to review and ultimately to reverse our stance on this sweetener. |
| The Protein Power Lifeplan
The problem with aspartame lies in overconsumption and the fact that phenylalanine alone (without its companion amino acids) is not a normal part of the diet. Large doses of phenylalanine are toxic to the brain and can cause mental retardation and seizures in people with phenylketonuria (PKU), a genetic disorder. For others, the sweetener may cause chemical changes in the brain that could contribute to headaches, depression, mood swings, high blood pressure, insomnia, and behavior problems. |
| Nitrosamines are formed when nitrites, such as those used in the curing of bacon and ham, bind to amino acids. Numerous studies show that green tea (including green tea polyphenols and extracts) exert significant inhibitory effects on the formation of nitrosamines in various animal and human models. For example, when human volunteers ingested green tea along with 300 milligrams sodium nitrate and 300 milligrams proline, nitrosoproline formation was strongly inhibited. The popular custom of drinking green tea with meals in Japan may be a major reason for the low cancer rates there. |
Mary-Ann Shearer
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 Surprisingly enough, all fruits and vegetables contain protein, with many of them, such as bananas, tomatoes, carrots, avocados, and nuts, containing all eight essential amino acids. The protein content in these foods is:
• 1 medium banana—0.035 ounces (1 g)
• 1 medium tomato—0.07 ounces (2 g)
• 1 medium carrot—-0.035 ounces (1 g)
• 1 small avocado—0.07 (2 g)
• 1 cup almonds—just less than one ounce (20-25 g)
• 1 cup cashews—0.5 ounces (15.3 g)
Remember that protein levels differ from crop to crop and within each variety so this is a general guideline. |
Victoria Boutenko, M.A.
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 Wheatgrass juice consists of 70% chlorophyll and contains 92 different minerals out of 102 possible, beta carotene and the B vitamins, plus C, E, H and K, 19 amino acids and beneficial enzymes. All of these properties make wheatgrass an extraordinary health builder.
However, the strong nutritional density of wheatgrass juice makes it hard to drink for many people. Many would like to regularly consume it but cannot do so because of nauseous reactions sometimes caused from the smell alone. |
Dr. Paula Baillie-Hamilton
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 As with the above-mentioned amino acids, people with existing kidney or liver disease should consult their doctor before taking MSM-sulfur. Though sulfur itself is not toxic to our bodies, some people with difficulty detoxing can be highly allergic to relatives of sulfur such as sulfites and sulfa drugs. Sulfites are used as a food preservative and can trigger asthma and other allergic reactions in people who are sensitive. |
Mary-Ann Shearer
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| Then when there is too little of any of the amino acids in the food you eat, the body withdraws what it needs from the amino acid pool. You can begin to
79 understand where the idea of bacon and eggs for breakfast, cheese for lunch, and meat for dinner originated, especially considering that it was thought that animal products were our only reliable source of protein. We now know that even on a fruit diet adequate amounts of protein can be supplied to the body (refer to the charts at the back of the book).
This gets me back to how much protein is needed. |
T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D. and Thomas M. Campbell II
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 Because numerous amino acids are available for creating proteins, there are infinite varieties of distinctive "faces."
To counter these antigens, our immune system must customize its defense to each attack. It does this by creating a "mirror image" protein for each attacker. The mirror image is able to fit perfectly onto the antigen and destroy it. Essentially, the immune system creates a mold for each face it encounters. Every time it sees that face after the initial encounter, it uses the custom-made mold to "capture" the invader and destroy it. |
Mike Adams, the Health Ranger
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 FDA regulation as foods, dietary supplements, or drugs under the Act.
Translation: All foods, supplements, superfoods and functional foods may be reclassified as drugs by the FDA, then regulated off the market.
If... the manipulative and body-based practices involve the use of equipment (such as massage devices) or the application of a product (such as a lotion, cream, or oil) to the skin or other parts of the body, those products may be subject to regulation under the Act."
Translation: Massage oils and creams will be regulated as "drugs" and acupuncture needles as "medical devices. |
T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D. and Thomas M. Campbell II
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| Relative to total calorie intake, only 5-6% dietary protein is required to replace the protein regularly excreted by the body (as amino acids). About 9-10% protein, however, is the amount that has been recommended for the past fifty years to be assured that most people at least get their 5-6% "requirement." This 9-10% recommendation is equivalent to the well-known recommended daily allowance, or RDA.5
Almost all Americans exceed this 9-10% recommendation; we consume protein within the range of about 11-21%, with an average of about 15—16%. |
Samuel S. Epstein, M.D.
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 The use of rbST is referred to as "supplementation," ignoring the FDA admission that rbST is up to "3% different in molecular structure" from endogenous bST, containing up to nine additional amino acids. Substitutions of a single amino acid can profoundly alter a protein molecule's biological activity (4).
3. The claim that cows are not adversely affected by rbST (1,2) is controverted by published evidence on major reproductive losses, chronic mastitis, and other evidence of chronic toxic effects admitted in confidential Monsanto reports (3,4). |
| FDA, however, now admits that bacterial rBGHs are up to "3% different in molecular structure" from endogenous natural sequence BGH (15), involving up to 9 additional amino acids; contrary to "industry" claims that rBGH is "highly pure" (5), it is contaminated by up to 10% bacterial proteins (16). |
Bryan Hanson, PhD
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 OAA is a diacid inhibitor of tr side chains of key amino acids are shown (this is only a small fraction of the enzyme). N of OAA are surrounded by a number of positive charges.
FIGURE 7.7. Comparision of harmine with LSD. Left: Harmine; middle: LSD; right: overlap overlay, harmine is cyan and LSD lavender. The nine gold atoms are common to both mc overlay the two molecules.
FIGURE 7.10. Comparison of ginkgolide B with PAR Left: Ginkgolide B; middle: RAF; right In the overlay, ginkgolide B is lavender and PAF is cyan.The four gold atoms are commo aligned to overlay the two molecules. |
| Because proteins are generally composed of many amino acids, they contain hundreds or even thousands of atoms (over 4,000 are present in ricin). Out of necessity, diagrams intended to help visualize the overall three-dimensional structure of proteins do not show individual atoms very clearly. Two views of ricin are shown in Figure 4.7; the left-hand structure shows the backbone of the protein chain, which is the long chain of carbons and nitrogens to which the remaining atoms are attached. This structure is drawn in ribbon style to emphasize certain features. |
| Because proteins can be made from a number of different amino acids, their structures show tremendous variety and complexity (which parallels the variety of functions just described). In the following sections I mention an example of an amino acid derivative and a protein that have a medicinal or toxic effect.
Lectins
Lectins are a complex, difficult-to-study group of molecules that are a special type of glycoprotein, which are protein chains with sugars (the glyco- prefix) attached. |
Dr. Jonathan Prousky, BPHE, BSc, ND, FRSH
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 The other 14 amino acids are inter-convertible in the body, and for this reason, have been labeled non-essential. These include arginine, tyrosine, glycine, serine, glutamic acid, glutamine, aspartic acid, taurine, carnitine, cystine, histidine, proline, alanine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). They are all essential, however, and if there is a metabolic problem resulting in a deficiency of any of the 22, the results would be devastating to the body. |
Bryan Hanson, PhD
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| Another defensive enzymatic system is based upon the molecule glutathione, which is composed of three amino acids linked together into a tripeptide. The business end of glutathione is an -SH group, called a thiol or sulfhydryl. Glutathione is usually abbreviated GSH; it reacts with hydrogen peroxide to form water and a dimer of glutathione. The enzyme that carries out this reaction is called glutathione peroxidase; the glutathione dimer that results (GS-SG, which has a disulfide bridge) can be recycled by another enzyme called glutathione reductase with the aid of NADPH. |
Paula Begoun
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 A combination of lightweight water-binding agents such as glycerin, propylene glycol, amino acids, panthenols, and proteins, along with a small amount of styling agents (film formers and plasticizing agents) such as acrylates, PVP, and PVM/MA (polyvinyl methyl ether/maleic anhydride) are standard in products professing to make hair fuller and thicker. These styling agents are the same as those often found in hairsprays and especially in styling gels. The water-binding agents keep water in the hair to prevent dehydration and thus keep the hair swollen, helping to add a feeling of thickness. |
Dr. Paula Baillie-Hamilton
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| This is because MSM, a natural form of sulfur, combined with a good supply of vitamins and minerals, can boost the body's natural ability to create these sulfur-containing amino acids.
I have added this fabulous antioxidant to the program because it appears to play an essential role in cleaning up and safely removing some of the most persistent heavy metals, such as mercury, from the body. |
| The amino acids that should be taken as supplements include methionine, cysteine, taurine, and glutathione.
Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that helps detox the liver of poisonous chemicals, especially alcohol and mercury. It also protects against damage caused by exposure to pesticides, plastics, smoke, nitrates, and drugs. |
| Multivitamin and mineral supplement, magnesium, vitamin C, MSM-sulfur or amino acids, probiotics and 1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil or pollution-free fish oil supplements (taken at least half an hour after fiber supplements)
Mid-morning 1 portion of fruit
Pre-lunch Fiber supplements
Large glass of water
Lunch Lean deli meat
White bean, tomato, lettuce, and onion salad dressed with lemon juice and seasoned with salt and pepper. |
| Multivitamin and mineral supplement, magnesium, vitamin C, MSM-sulfur or amino acids, probi-otics, and 1 tablespoon of flaxseed oil or pollution-free fish oil supplements (taken at least half an hour after fiber supplements)
Mid-morning Small bunch of grapes
Pre-lunch Fiber supplements
Large glass of water
Lunch Warm turkey, roast garlic, spinach, and pine nut salad: Roast 4 cloves of garlic for about 15 minutes in 1 teaspoon of olive oil until slightly brown. |
Antoinette Saville and Antony J. Haynes
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 When foods are digested in the stomach, the proteins in those foods are broken down from these long-chain amino acids into peptides. By some quirk of nature, some of the peptides derived from food are almost identical to our endorphin peptides. The name given to these peptides is exorphins, because they come from outside the body. Exorphins can be derived from a variety of foods including wheat, maize, barley, and milk.
One of the questions that arises from this knowledge is why does this affect some people and not others? |
| L-glutamine and N-acetyl-glucosamine (NAG) are the most important, but a variety of others play a role, too, including arginine, taurine and the branched-chain amino acids (leucine, isoleucine, valine).
Zinc and/or Vitamin A Deficiency
Zinc is vital for all growth and healing in the body, and vitamin A is needed for all epithelial growth and repair. These two nutrients are commonly low in the UK diet. Given that vitamin A is fat-soluble, and that most of us eat fewer fatty foods (e.g. |
by Michael Murray, N.D. and Joseph Pizzorno, N.D.
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| Whey protein is also easily digestible, providing a highly available source of amino acids for weight gain.
Other Recommendations
Further discussion of HIV and AIDS is beyond the scope of this text. For additional recommendations, please see your naturopathic physician or consult the Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine.
Alcoholism
Alcoholism has been defined by the World Health Organization as "alcohol consumption by an individual that exceeds the limits accepted by the culture or injures health or social relationships. |
T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D. and Thomas M. Campbell II
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| We now know that through enormously complex metabolic systems, the human body can derive all the essential amino acids from the natural variety of plant proteins that we encounter every day. It doesn't require eating higher quantities of plant protein or meticulously planning every meal. Unfortunately, the enduring concept of protein quality has greatly obscured this information.
THE PROTEIN GAP
The most important issue in nutrition and agriculture during my early career was figuring out ways to increase the consumption of protein, making sure it was of the highest possible quality. |
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