PROTEIN vs. AMINO ACIDS

by: Dr. Ladislav Pataki, PhD, CSc

One of the best kept secrets in the United States is the RDA of essential amino acids.

It has come to my attention that there is a lack of general understanding about the difference between the amino acids and a whole protein.

Let’s imagine for a moment that you walk into a vitamin store. You can see aisles and rows of different sizes, shapes and colors of bottles filled with a variety of different pills. But, there is one small problem. Each one has a generic white label that states in black letters "VITAMINS" and then the weight. So you call over the clerk. Holding one of the bottles in your hand you ask, "What type of vitamins are in this jar?"

He looks at the label and the bottle then replies , "16 ounces."

You say, "I would like to know what vitamin makeup is in this bottle."

To which he again replies, "I told you. It is 16 ounces."

To which you say, "No, I need to know what vitamins comprise the content of this bottle. You know, such as A, B, C, D, E, etc."

He looks at you funny and says, "What difference does it make?"

Of course, if you have any exposure to any kind of nutrition information, the answer is common knowledge. There are minute amounts of vital elements that are mandatory for the well-being of organic life forms. There is widely published information for RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) of vitamins and minerals, but the handling of what protein consists of, is analogous to the previously mentioned "Vitamin Store". On nutrition labels, this is the way protein in the U.S. diet is managed. Percent RDA of essential vitamins and minerals along with fat are legally displayed. Bulk crude protein is displayed in grams, with it’s percentage of RDA in relationship to a fully balanced protein. But what does that mean?

It is important to understand that protein is made up of things. These things are an amino acid and carbohydrate (with a missing hydrogen atom). To be more exact, the carbohydrate is partially oxidized in the mitochondria and is known as a carboxyl. This is the minimum definition of a protein and it is molecular in size. On a more complex scale, combining in synergy with minerals such as magnesium and iron, chlorophyll and hemoglobin are the result, respectively. These complex, hybrid molecules are the essence of all organic life on Earth. Amino acids of specific kinds and amounts are necessary to sustain organic life. It is because of amino acid content of a protein, that protein A is not equal to protein B.

Out of the more than 70,000 different protein structures the body manufactures, greatest need determines the "priority proteins". Survival is the prime desire. Defense and maintenance alone consume a lion’s share of the food we take in. The body has the directive to react to stresses from the surrounding environment and to regenerate when cell death occurs. The more complete the supply of raw building material, the better the replacements. One of the first areas of protein priority is where the body meets the environments. In the average person, a stomach lining is consumed every 24-72 hours, with lung lining replaced every 4-7 days. This is a continuous turnover irregardless of what we take into our bodies. Injuries receive high priority, actually competing for resources with maintenance functions.

The truth is that most of the food in the average American diet is a good source of bulk crude carbohydrate and protein but is deficient in the compliment of vital nutritional elements necessary for the complete utilization of the bulk food. So, most passes through the digestive system unassimilated, as waste, because the small stuff wasn’t there to complete the hook-up. If one item is in short supply, digestion grinds to a crawl. More stomach acid is released and the brain receives requests for certain foods (i.e.:cravings).

Adulthood is synonymous with "abuse-hood". As we become adults we start drinking caffeine and alcohol, possibly also smoking. Staying out late, not eating properly, prolonged stress, not getting proper rest and aspirin for breakfast are all privileges of being an adult. As some social cultures will attest, you don’t have to be an adult to do all these things. But, the results are the same.

Research points to the links between health and nutrition. What is not commonly mentioned is how, as the average person ages, changes occur in their digestive system. The protein structure of digestive enzymes lose their ability to completely digest food, which leads to the inability to assimilate enough nourishment to produce the priority proteins the body requires. An alcoholic, for example, loses the ability to digest all important protein, creating accelerated catabolism or degeneration. Catabolism is the state when the body, for lack of proper nutrients, digests itself. This self-cannibalism, no matter what the cause, is felt as lethargy and weak energy levels. Amino acids by contrast are in free form, allowing a person to conveniently rebuild the quality of their enzyme structure and round-out their RDA requirement of essential amino acids.

Some critics claim that an RDA is merely a minimum quantity to keep a person "average healthy", but not above average. In competitive sports, the winners don’t fit in with the average. Peak physical performance requires peak physical state. Back in 1971 we did our first experiments with amino acids on athletic development. One particular young man had shown an unusual muscle mass and corresponding strength gain after extra Lysine was added to his diet. He was on the same medically monitored diet that his team-mates were on. The response he had experienced showed that his individual physiology required more of this small thing that made a big difference in his development. Since then we have continued our nutritional research here in the US and in Europe, and have gained greater insight into the natural mechanisms.

One of the most practical applications of free-form amino acids we found was assisting the healing of injuries. We had observed that injury healing time was reduced with the addition of proper levels of this concentrated form of balanced protein in the system. There is large repository of published research that supports this notion. We found that in minor muscle aches, the pain could actually be healed away without the use of any kind of pain relievers, and with accelerated healing rates.

Links to: Amino acids function.

Links to: Amino acids profile of common foods.

Recipes for: High Protein Sauces & Vegetable Protein.