Plant vvs Animal Protein

[Guest guest]

Interesting article comparing plant proteins vs animal proteins

Perhaps the so called " limiting " amount of essential amino acid " theory " in

plants in not harmful but beneficial, as excesses of those amino acids seem to

be problematic. After all, we are not trying to create bodies that look like

Arnolds.

One other comment... his comparison chart of the amino acid composition of

plants vs animals is slightly " off " as he is comparing the foods per gram

weight and not per calorie. As I showed in 10/04, when compared per calorie,

plant foods easily provide enough essential amino acids based on any health

organization recommendations.

Regards

Jeff

Bratisl Lek Listy. 2005;106(6-7):231-4.

Health benefits and risks of plant proteins.

Krajcovicova-Kudlackova M, Babinska K, Valachovicova M.

Research Base of The Slovak Medical University, Institute of

Preventive and Clinical Medicine, Bratislava, Slovakia.

marica.kudlackova@...

Plant proteins have a reduced content of essential amino acids in

comparison to animal proteins. A significant reduction of limiting

amino acids (methionine, lysine, tryptophan) means lower protein

synthesis. In subjects with predominant or exclusive consumption of

plant food a higher incidence of hypoproteinemia due to significant

reduction of methionine and lysine intakes was observed. On the other

hand, lower intake of these amino acids provides a preventive effect

against cardiovascular disease via cholesterol regulation by an

inhibited hepatic phospholipid metabolism. Vegetarians have a

significantly higher intake of non-essential amino acids arginine and

pyruvigenic amino acids glycine, alanine, serine. When plant protein

is high in non-essential amino acids, down-regulation of insulin and

up-regulation of glucagon is a logical consequence. The action of

glucagon in the liver is mediated by stimulation of adenyl cyclase

that raises cyclic-AMP (adenosine-3,5-monophosphate) concentrations.

Cyclic-AMP down-regulates the synthesis of a number of enzymes

required for de novo lipogenesis and cholesterol synthesis,

up-regulates key gluconeogenic enzymes and the LDL receptors and

decreases the IGF-1 activity (insulin-like growth factor). Cyclic-AMP

thus provides a reduction of atherosclerosis risk factors as well as a

retardation of cancer development. A sufficient consumption of plant

proteins has the protective effects against chronic degenerative

diseases (Tab. 2, Ref. 26).

Publication Types:

* Review

PMID: 16201743 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]