The importance of protein in diet has been clearly established by nutritional scientists, and widely accepted by athletes. Among other vital functions, protein is indispensable for creating muscle. And protein’s essential potential to repair damaged muscles after training is just as vital[i].
Even if the value of protein has been broadly accepted and even promoted in the athletic community, the knowledge hasn’t been spread effectively enough to the very substantial sedentary population. Sedentary people are defined as those that engage in less than half an hour of moderate physical activity every day, and they currently make up about 25% of the American population, or about 1 out of every 4 people.
A key problem to solve, subsequently, is that the bulk of those sedentary People do not know that they are, or more likely aren’t, getting sufficient protein in their diet. This large group of sedentary individuals reflects the myth that protein-rich nutrition is important only for athletes and those who are physically active. Protein’s Reference Daily Intake [1] is 50 grams, which most individuals with sedentary lifestyles aren’t even close to achieving.
Next to water, protein is the body’s most prevalent substance. It is the indispensable building block for our muscles and tissue, and it also performs a key function in our body’s numerous systems and functions, such as digestion. Protein even helps regulate and control hormones and chemicals that influence mood and coping capability something that has an influence for all people, regardless of physical exercise. As a matter of fact, if we study protein deficiency-related mood issues, one might actually argue that people with sedentary lifestyles who’re bordering on obesity may be better equipped psychologically to follow a disciplined and healthy eating plan if they were already following a complete protein diet in the first place.
Yet there’s another related downside that’s arguably more damaging. Whatever information that sedentary People might receive about protein might be downright misleading because of the fact that most of this insignificant information had been really released by marketers and advertisers. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the fast food industry.
Many sedentary People who’ve some basic consciousness of protein’s significance in diet believe, due largely to marketing campaigns, that fast food burgers are a good source of protein.. Lost in this perception is the fact that just about all fast food burgers are virtually completely unhealthy selections which are high in saturated fat, calories, sodium, cholesterol, and the list goes on.
In fact, a popular burger contains 52% of the suggested daily value (DV) of fat, and over 500 calories, of which 60% are from fat [2]. These clearly unhealthy elements diminish the nutritional value from the burgers 24 grams of protein.
The combined effects of ignorance and deliberate misinformation are largely to blame for why many sedentary Americans have not been able to learn about the significance of protein. At the same time, it is also clear to medical experts that the concept of a sedentary lifestyle is a serious global health problem that should be addressed sooner rather than later [iv].
The solution to this problem is expectedly complicated and multi-faceted, just like many chronic health conditions. But once this complexity is accepted, it would be the first step in the direction of a solution that should equally be multi-layered and holistic in its own right. Protein awareness should not be confined to the world of the “match and athletic” people, and access to protein by sedentary individuals should be developed – one that ought to definitely be healthier than the normal fast food burgers that they have been used to.
Despite the tough and admittedly uphill battle that many sedentary Americans face today, there is cause to be rationally optimistic. Currently, there are products available in the market that give balanced sources of complete protein, without disregarding their responsibility to supply low-calorie and fat-free portions. They can be used as either a supplement or a complete meal replacement because these products are fortified with nutritional vitamins and nutrients. This is of notable value for dieters and time starved people who are looking for quick, convenient ways to eat healthy.
Ultimately, resolving this problem of sedentary Americans is not going to be easy, nor will it be rapid. The statistic that 1 in 4 Individuals lead inactive lifestyles took generations to build up, therefore, it might also take generations to untangle this knot as well. The hallmarks of unraveling it, however, are clear: quality awareness, quality understanding, and above all, quality nutritional products that consumers both demand, and indeed, completely deserve from their food manufacturers.
[1] Formerly referred by its better-known name “Recommended Daily Allowance”.
[2] The USDA’s recommendation is 30% calories from fat
References
[i] Source: “The Power of Protein”. The Physician and Sportsmedicine. http://www.physsportsmed.com/issues/1996/04_96/protein.htm
[ii] Source: “What We Think is Making Us Fat”. About.com. http://walking.about.com/cs/howtoloseweight/a/obesitycause404.htm
[iii] Source: “Cost and Consequences for Sedentary Living: New Battleground for an Old Enemy”. Presidents Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. http://www.fitness.gov/researchdigestmarch2002.pdf
[iv] Source: “Sedentary Lifestyle: a Global Public Health Problem”. The World Health Organization. http://www.who.int/hpr/physactiv/sedentary.lifestyle1.shtml
Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein supplements for weight loss surgery patients. You can learn more at Protica Research – Copyright