The Versatility of Actinase Protein Complex
The ingredients list found on the back or side panel of every commercially available food product - with few exceptions - serves as the consumer's best starting point for understanding the real contents of each product. It discloses the ingredients that make up the product, sorted in order from most abundant to least abundant. What it does not show is the actual quantity of each ingredient. As such, more people than ever before are reading the Nutrition Facts panel on product labels to truly understand what is in their food[i]. However, where one problem has been solved, another has emerged. While it is beneficial for people to know that their food contains a specific amount of nutrients and/or vitamins, there are variations within those elements that are not captured by a typical food label. This is illustrated clearly when examining protein. Many consumers are well aware of the importance of protein in daily diet. Protein constitutes the very building blocks that sustain life, from digestion through to muscle maintenance[ii]. However, eating the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) of 50 grams of protein may not be as healthy as it should be, due to the differences in protein sources and protein qualities. The variation of protein used in products is almost as wide as the variation of products themselves. Manufacturers may use whey, soy, caseinate and other protein types to fortify their products with protein. And within each of these protein types are further refinements called 'protein grades' such as whey concentrate, whey isolate, whey hydrolysate, and so on. Though the specific type and grade of protein used in a product is not captured on the Nutrition Facts or Supplement Facts panel of a product, it is an important distinction. The type and grade of protein determines how well the body will digest and assimilate it. Certain proteins such as whey isolate are readily digested after physical activities. Other proteins such as caseinates are ideal for sustained energy and anti-catabolism, and therefore best taken when there will be a long lapse before the next meal (catabolism is the state in which the body breaks down muscle tissue for energy). One special grade of proteins - hydrolyzed proteins - is used in a very small percentage of products because of its high cost to manufacture. It is most often found in infant formula because it is very gentle on the stomach; it is easy to digest and assimilate. Hydrolyzed proteins are derived from complete proteins oftentimes through an enzymatic process of breaking down the protein into smaller constituents called peptides. The process divides the long protein molecules into shorter molecules called peptides. Generally, the smaller the peptide (measured in Daltons), the easier the protein is to digest and absorb. Hydrolyzed proteins also owe their popularity to the fact that, as compared to standard proteins, they are less susceptible to denaturing (a process by which the proteins are broken into structures that the body cannot easily digest). Since hydrolyzed protein is an excellent, natural formula of protein, it stands to reason that consumers would continually look for products using it. However, this is where the challenge occurs. The Nutrition Facts panel on product labels does not reveal the grade or even the type of protein used. To find this information, the consumer needs to turn back to the ingredient list. The FDA requires all food products to disclose the source of all proteins (eg. whey, soy, egg), but not the grade (eg. concentrate, isolate, hydrolysate). Since all proteins are not the same, manufacturers employ various methods for incorporating them into products. Proteins such as caseinate and soy are alkaline-based and can only be used with 'milky' flavors such as chocolate and vanilla. Another drawback to casienates and soy is their high viscosity (thickness). This limits the amount of caseinate or soy that can be used in a beverage. Whey is an acid-based protein and is less viscous. Whey can be used with fruity flavors because of its compatibility with acidulants such as citric acid and malic acid. A challenge with all of these proteins is their heat instability ? when they are heated, the proteins denature (break apart). Denatured proteins are difficult to digest and difficult to metabolize. Most proteins on the market fall into this category. However, an innovative hydrolyzed protein blend called Actinase® could be changing all of this for the better. Because of its molecular structure, Actinase is very dense. Forty grams of Actinase can be dispersed in less than three fluid ounces of water, with a viscosity no thicker than tomato juice. Any other protein at this concentration would become a sold mass. In other words, Actinase allows manufacturers to add more protein to their product without adding the thickness (or, viscosity) normally associated with protein fortification. Actinase is also very heat stable, so it has many applications that transcend the obvious sports drink market. Yet Actinase's appeal goes beyond its heat-resistance and low viscosity. It is all natural, hypoallergenic, both acid and alkaline stable, and complete (i.e. Actinase contains all essential amino acids). Through a natural physiological mechanism called thermogenesis, Actinase also stimulates the body's metabolism and caloric burn rate. This is very good news for individuals on a weigh-loss or weight-maintenance program, since an increased caloric burn rate reduces the intensity and frequency of fat-storing insulin surges. It is also good news for consumers who want to ingest a good source of protein, but not necessarily taste it, since Actinase has a neutral taste and aroma. Only a few years ago, learning about protein was confined to simply reading a food label to ensure that the Recommended Daily Intake was being met. Today, however, the subject has become more complex, especially with respect to protein. Consumers now understand that it is not enough to simply understand how much protein is in their food. They should be aware of the source and quality of the protein, as well. ABOUT PROTICA Founded in 2001, Protica, Inc. is a nutritional research firm with offices in Lafayette Hill and Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Protica manufactures capsulized foods, including Profect, a compact, hypoallergenic, ready-to-drink protein beverage containing zero carbohydrates and zero fat. Information on Protica is available at http://www.protica.com You can also learn about Profect at http://www.profect.com REFERENCES [i] Source: "Understanding Labels". Supermarketguru.com.
http://www.supermarketguru.com/page.cfm/261 [ii] Source: "The Importance of Protein". Ohiohealth.com
http://www.ohiohealth.com/facilities/mcconnell/weightmanage/details/protein.htm Copyright - Protica Research - http://www.protica.com
Related News
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
What on Earth is an Enzyme?
Enzymes are the workers in our body that make everything function, by enabling chemical reactions. All living cells contain enzymes. They are hard to visualize, since they are not something tangible, but they are essential to our bodies and our lives depend on them.
REAL Summer Foods
Fire Element
Odd Fact or Oxymoron: Learning How To Cook Will Help You Drop a Few Pounds and Gain a Few Friends
Finding simple ways to reduce my waistline is always a personal objective. I am by no means a health expert, and I have not always been too concerned with what I put into my body. But as I get a little older, I fear that if I don't concern myself with health, my doctor will have to. And regardless of the good that they do, I don't like doctors and clinics that much.
Macrobiotics: Diet and Lifestyle for Long-term Health
A frequent misunderstanding about macrobiotics is that it
is a diet sick people use - cancer patients especially - in
order to heal. While it is true that a macrobiotic
approach has helped a great many people get well,
macrobiotics is much more than a mere diet, and it is for
everyone. Whether you're recovering from illness or simply
interested in having greater vitality, macrobiotics is a
wholistic, natural system for good health and long life.
The Many Benefits of Green Tea Extract
The Benefits of Green Tea Extract: Anti-Aging, Anti-Cancer, Weight Control
One of the great advancements in nutrition in the twenty-first century is the scientific confirmation of the many benefits of green tea extract. Here are just a few. Green tea:
Lowers cholesterol
Slows arthritis
Prevents the growth of cancer cells
Assists weight loss
Eating For Success: Breakfast For The Busy Corporate
The first place that we cut corners when we are busy or stressed is our eating and in particular our breakfast. The food you eat forms the very building blocks of your body, but most of us have lost sight of the fact that food is fuel and that the purpose of eating is to provide our bodies with the tools they need for energy, functioning, building and maintenance. We eat for a variety of different reasons, none of which relate to the idea of providing our bodies with quality fuel. We eat unconsciously, we use food to fill emotional voids or to be sociable and we fill our bodies with things that we all know aren't good for us ? in effect, rather than using food as essential fuel, we use it to inflict damage on ourselves.
Avocado - Ooh, What a Lovely Pear!
Many people avoid avocados thinking them to be fattening, but the truth is they are packed with Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) which burn fat so actually they make you thin! So now you are over that little misconception, let me tell you the rest of the avocado story?
Help Prevent Premature Aging With Nutrition-Science
Aging occurs when the body's cells die at faster rates than new cells are generated. People age prematurely because inadequate nutrition resulting from poor diet stimulates cellular destruction and increases the potential for obesity, diabetes, cancer and other chronic diseases.
Nutrition For Your Young Athlete
Nutrition is extremely important for any young person,
especially an athletic one, and even more so during the
developmental years of their life. Whether your child is
involved in soccer or football, gymnastics or swimming or
Little League, he or she needs a good nutritive balance in
order to be successful in any endeavor. It cannot be
stressed enough that anorexia and bulimia, chronic
malnutrition, are absolutely devastating not only to an
athlete's career, but also to overall health and
well-being. You should always watch for decreased eating
in your child, no matter how robust and healthy they may
seem.
Healing Power of 8 Sugars: An Amazing Breakthrough in Nutrition
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." Arthur Schopenhauer German philosopher (1788 - 1860)
Dietary Sources of Vitamins and Minerals
Whenever possible, we should try to get our antioxidants and other essential vitamins and minerals through our diet. A proper diet is necessary to offset the signs of aging and the foods listed here tend to be healthier than a burger and fries.
Exposing the Best Source of Protein Myth
An American culture that is marked by a chronic lack of time and the need to achieve is often in pursuit of the "best" something or other. These "best" lists tend to improve time efficiency they help people make quick decisions without a lot of research or "trial and error".
How Essential Fatty Acids Improve Your Brain Power and Mental Health
What is your brain made of
Preventing Heart Disease: What to Eat
About 12.6 million Americans currently have heart disease.
Are You Lactose Intolerant?
Do you know anyone who can't consume milk or milk-based products? The condition is not uncommon and these people are classified as lactose intolerant.
Its Not That Bad - The Biggest Lie We Tell Ourselves
Some people say to themselves, junk food is not that bad. If you want to believe this than good luck. Remember how important your beliefs are and especially the ones that are faulty that you still believe. It goes back to what I said earlier. If you want to build a slim, toned and healthy body you need the right building blocks. Those building blocks are not found in junk food of any kind. I do not care how fat free or enriched it is, how many added vitamins and minerals there are, how low carb or "healthy" the manufactures try to make you believe it is. Junk food is junk.
Health and Nutrition
The Health and Nutrition Industry has come about as peoples awareness of the damage they have done to their bodies over the years becomes more apparent, both physically and through scientific evidence. Whats more they want to do something about-now!!
Eating to Gain Mass
This is usually the forgotten element of most mass programs. Food. The truth is, no one will gain muscle without food. It seems so simple and basic, yet most don't get enough of it to build muscle.
Learn About Food Nutrition Facts
Food nutrition facts
Food Sources That Boost Glutathione Naturally
Copyright © 2004 Priya Shah
|
