Protein: The Missing Ingredient

Vegan, plant based, low carb, low fat, low calories – “low” is the reason for nearly every diet fad.

The harm is done when it is low protein. While there are varying statements on how much protein a person needs each day, my observation is that those levels are far too low when you are injured or sick. And, they are probably too low to keep you from getting injured and sick. 

People are influenced by sensational online and print media. The touting of new diets by movie stars and supplement manufacturers masquerades as science. On top of that, scientists at our government institutions use poor quality studies to create the dizzying array of nutritional pyramids that guide American food choices and diets. This combination of marketing and low reliability, when mixed with the opportunity for profit, has led to harmful diet recommendations. 

For healthy individuals, the margin for error when following diets that eliminate certain food groups is reasonably large—so people do not become too sick too fast.  Yet, I see many injured athletes, weekend warriors, and people with arthritis who wonder why they don’t heal as fast as they used to. One reason for this is their low protein intake.  

An even more dramatic correlation is between low blood albumin (a marker for protein load) and infection. Put simply, if your dietary intake of protein is low, your blood albumin level is low—and your risk of infection after a surgical procedure or with an open wound is high. Anyone who tells you that a low protein diet is a good idea simply does not see what I see. 

When a bone is fractured or a limb is immobilized, muscle atrophy can be measured after as little as eight hours and continues until motion and weight-bearing are re-started. The loss of muscle exposes the limb to further damage. Regaining that muscle requires training. The benefits of training depend on protein availability more than any other factor. 

Here is what you need to know: 

Complete or quality protein is protein that has all the essential amino acids required for health. Lean protein sources such as skinless chicken or turkey, 90% or leaner ground beef, lowfat or nonfat dairy, seafood, soy products, pork loin, and eggs are ideal.   

Incomplete proteins—such as beans, oatmeal, barley, corn, and nuts—are seeds. They are missing some of the essential amino acids and must be combined with other foods. For good health maintenance, the range of recommendations for protein intake is as follows: 0.8 to 1.5 gm/kg of body weight (17 - 21%) of total calories. (To convert to metric, first divide your weight in pounds by 2.2. Then, multiply by the protein recommendation. For example, a 220 lb person weighs 100 kg, and therefore, should consume 80 to 150 grams of protein a day for health maintenance alone.)  

However, for sick or injured people trying to build muscle, the recommendation increases to 2gm/kg a day. Other health issues must be taken into account before dramatic increases in protein intake; always consult your physician before making these changes.  

Look at yourself. If you are injured and want to repair your tissues, what do you want to repair and rebuild them with? Do you want to be mostly fat? Mostly carbohydrates? Or mostly protein? Eat mostly what you want to be, and feed the systems you need to restore health.