An American culture that is marked by a persistent lack of time and the necessity to achieve is often in pursuit of the “best” something or other. These “best” lists tend to improve time efficiency they help individuals make fast decisions with out a lot of analysis or “trial and error”
Although, there is also a possibly dangerous application of those very popular “best” lists, just like with most inventions. There are conditions where the need to identify the best of something obscures the real fact that, quite simply, there isn’t any single best ranking. In other words, to get the best sometimes you really need to combine many things together. Within the world of nutrition, there arguably isn’t a more clear – and dangerous – expression of this reality then in looking at protein.
“Best” opinions for protein sources are frequent in the world of nutrition. Some camps lobby in favor of whey protein as the best, while others advocate soy. While others claim that meat and poultry are the perfect protein source, others would also swear that a plant based source equivalent to spirulina should sit at the top. There are so many opinions – each one claiming to support the very best source of protein – that consumers are sometimes left less knowledgeable after studying just a few of them, rather than more educated.
One of the reasons that the search for the best source of protein is so widespread is because of its critical importance within a healthy diet. All bodily functions are aided directly or indirectly, by protein. In addition to being an essential energy source, protein is a part of every body cell, and among other very important contributions, helps in the creation, maintenance, and repair of muscle tissue [i].
Furthermore, regardless of your views on the “best” protein source, it is extensively acknowledged that a complete source of protein is required by all people no matter one’s level of athleticism, mobility, or physical activity. This complete source of protein must reflect all 20 different amino acids that comprise protein. Since the body can only create 12 of them via its own synthetic production capability, 8 amino acids – called “essential amino acids” – have to be obtained through diet [ii].
This is where the confusion ultimately lies, and the root cause of the ongoing confusion. Various groups claim that certain particular food sources, such as whey, milk protein, or calcium caseinate [1], respectively, are the single best source of protein. Surprisingly, however, a growing body of research is suggesting that all of these views are incorrect. Instead, a mixture of all these protein sources would be the most effective solution.
Unfortunately, accessing this number of protein sources is a challenge for a lot of consumers. The consumer can’t confidently be sure that a variety of proteins are being eaten in any particular meal unless he or she is very well-versed in nutrition, virtually to the point of being thought of as an expert.
Furthermore, some sources of protein – such as fast food burgers – might certainly contain a desired amount of essential amino acids, however the excessively high quantity of calories, unsaturated fat, carbohydrates, and other undesirable elements make them a totally unwise eating choice [iii]
The objective – one that has been sought for decades — is therefore to identify a food source that gives consumers with a healthy, convenient, inexpensive, appetizing, and complete source of protein.
Luckily, there are some developments when it comes to nutritional supplements, despite delays in coming up with a worthy product to the market, delays which have been caused by the scientifically pointless search of the single best protein source. Coming from a combined mix of protein sources, these products provide consumers with a complete amino acid profile. Although uncommon, there are even some products which meet the consumer criterion of convenience, affordability, palatability, low-calorie, and high nutritional content.
Health dialogues in America will continue to be hounded by “best” lists for quite a while, and in their own way these lists also serve as useful tips which might potentially save time. However, there are apparent situations where the relentless pursuit of the “best” of something can really cause more harm than good when there is, in reality, no “best” of something to speak of. In the world of protein and diet, this is clearly the case: there isn’t a single best source of protein. To obtain the ultimate goal of delivering the body’s important protein necessities, you’ll need to balance a mixture of various protein sources. Fortunately, more nutrition specialists are beginning to acknowledge this scientific fact, and it is a trend towards intelligent health that is anticipated to continue.
[1] Calcium caseinate is created via the acidification of skim milk.
REFERENCES
[i] Source: “Protein in Diet”. DiscoveryHealth.com. http://health.discovery.com/encyclopedias/1931.html
[ii] Source: “Essential Amino Acid”. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essential_amino_acid
[iii] Source: “Supersized Nation: Bigger Burgers Still Rule”. WebMD. http://my.webmd.com/content/article/98/104952.htm?action=related_link3
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