Cracking the Protein Code
- The Quest to Develop the World’s Healthiest
Protein
By Jason Longman, Extraordinary Health Article
 The
consumption of protein has achieved legendary diet status. While it has
long been known that protein intake is vitally important to life, it
wasn’t until the high protein, low carbohydrate craze of the 1990s that
protein truly became a shining star.
Long before diet fads, though, discerning individuals
understood the importance of healthy sources of proteins in their diets.
Responsible for building and repairing tissue, protein is the most
plentiful substance found in the body—after water. Protein adds up to
one-fifth of your body weight and is the major constituent of most
living cells and body fluids.
Protein builds strong bodies, burns fat, repairs the
daily wear of vital muscles, and replaces body chemicals—something that
the body’s other macronutrients (fat and carbohydrates) are unable to
do. It stands to reason that providing your body with a healthy source
of protein is important. The key word here is healthy. In fact, entire
cultures existed—and thrived—on diets comprised primarily of healthy
sources of protein. So the question is: what defines a healthy source of
protein?
The Concept of Complete Protein
The concept of the complete protein is fairly easy to
understand. First of all, it’s generally regarded that eight amino acids
are essential for healthy adults. They are essential because the body
cannot manufacture them on its own, requiring that they come through
diet. A complete protein source then, is one that contains all eight of
those amino acids in the amounts your body requires.
While proteins are contained in most of the foods we
eat, only animal sources of protein contain all eight essential amino
acids in the amounts that our bodies require. So logically it follows
that animal sources of protein are healthiest, correct? Well, yes and
no.
For insight into this issue, consider Dr. Weston A.
Price, a man who—in the 1930s—devoted his life to observing the health
of remote cultures that were basically cut off from the outside world
and lived on their indigenous or historical diets. He found that many of
these cultures thrived on diets made up primarily of animal proteins,
nuts, seeds and grains. In fact, many of them ate raw animal protein, be
it raw fish or even meat. And there’s the rub. Not only were the animals
caught in the wild—with none of the antibiotics or added hormones that
have become mainstays in our food chain now—but they often ate them raw.
For even the most dedicated sushi lover, eating a diet
composed almost solely of raw animal protein is a tough act to swallow.
However, there was wisdom in the diets of these ancient cultures. Those
raw sources of animal protein were loaded with enzymes, probiotics and
fat-soluble vitamins. Cooking that animal protein would destroy many of
those nutrients, alter some other ones, or at the very least reduce the
amounts of the rest. Fundamentally speaking, eating animal protein raw
was the best way to ensure that those cultures were getting the full
complement of nutrients that protein-rich foods offered.
Of course, there are only a few among us who could
stomach an entirely raw animal protein diet, which is why Jordan Rubin
and his team at Garden of Life have created the groundbreaking
formulations known as RAW Protein and RAW Meal.
Planting the Seeds of Innovation
Consider the definition of raw. RAW means unheated,
untreated and unadulterated. It also means no binders, fillers,
synthetic ingredients or isolates. RAW truly defines pure, even more so
if the product is certified organic. It’s also easy to see why finding a
quality, pure, raw and organic form of protein is so difficult.
There is, however, a solution for those seeking a
quality source of raw protein to supplement their diets. Remember two
things we learned earlier. One, that the body requires eight essential
amino acids. Two, that there are other sources of complete proteins
besides animal proteins.
Armed with those two facts,
Garden of Life has created two raw protein supplement solutions that
provide the power of complete raw nutrition. By combining many organic,
raw sources of protein in exactly the right proportions, Jordan Rubin
and his research and development team have been able to create a raw
protein powder with all of the amino acids—in the proper amounts—that
your body requires.
Both
RAW Protein and
RAW Meal contain over a dozen different sprouted, gluten-free grains
and seeds. RAW Protein offers 18 grams of protein per serving, and RAW
Meal offers a whopping 33 grams of protein per serving. That alone makes
them both excellent sources of raw protein.
There is still one thing to consider when choosing a
protein. You see, when you consume protein found in nature, you’re
getting a lot more than just protein. It follows that a great protein
supplement should allow you to do the same.
Beyond Protein
When you consume raw protein found in nature, be it
plant or animal, you get a lot more than just protein. Raw protein foods
contain enzymes and probiotics as well as beneficial fat-soluble
vitamins like A, D, E and K. In fact, all of these components work
together to make protein utilization effective.
We call this complete protein utilization system the
“Protein Code” and it is found only in
Garden of Life RAW Protein and
Garden of Life RAW Meal. To emulate the constituents of a healthy
protein food in nature, you need four components:
- The protein comes from a RAW, un-denatured source.
- The protein contains live enzymes, including proteases
aiding in the digestion and utilization of protein.
- The protein contains probiotics.
- The protein contains RAW food-created, fat-soluble
vitamins A, D, E and K.
  Only
RAW Protein and
RAW Meal formulas are uncooked,
untreated and unadulterated protein sources that contain all of the
fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K as well as its protein-digesting
enzymes and immune- and digestive-supporting probiotics.
The importance of consuming live probiotics and
enzymes with your protein is critical. In order for your body to get the
most out of it, you must first break down and then absorb the protein.
Certain enzymes, known as proteases, help digest protein so that your
body can properly use it. While your body can produce protein digesting
enzymes, raw foods provide both the protein and the enzymes for
utilization together as they should be.
Probiotics, on the other hand, are needed after the
enzymes go to work. Probiotics aid digestion by making it easier for the
nutrients from our diets to be absorbed—and later used—by the body.
Again, raw foods contain probiotics that aid this process. So should
your raw protein supplement.
When it comes to fat-soluble vitamins, nature once
again shows its perfection. A look at the most powerful food sources of
vitamins A, D, E and K—foods like fish oil, liver, dairy and eggs—are
also a list of some of the best sources of protein for your body. It’s
no accident that high protein foods are some of the richest sources of
fat-soluble vitamins. Unfortunately, virtually all available protein
powders contain little or none of these powerful nutrients.
That’s why
Garden of Life is proud to introduce two
incredible RAW protein formulas that combine all the essential elements
of the best raw, whole food protein sources.
Garden of Life RAW Protein
and
RAW Meal are
RAW, vegan and certified organic, and both come
complete with essential amino acids, probiotics, enzymes and fat soluble
vitamins. They contain no fillers or synthetic ingredients and are
always uncooked, untreated and unadulterated. They are dairy- and
gluten-free with no soy allergens.
In short, they go beyond protein. That means you can
finally get the RAW plant-based protein you want with the essential
amino acids you need and without any of the undesirable ingredients
contained in most protein and meal replacement powders.
Why Sprouting?
Both
RAW Protein and
RAW Meal from Garden of Life
provide their protein in the form of sprouted seeds and grains.
Sprouting is the process whereby seeds and grains are germinated and, in
essence, brought back to life.
The late enzyme expert Dr. Edward Howell noted that
sprouted foods increased enzyme and nutrient activity. These enzymes
acted upon the seeds and grains to make them more digestible. In
essence, the enzymes activated in the sprouting process work to
pre-digest the food, making it more body friendly.
Sprouting also deactivates a compound known as phytic
acid, which is found in the coats of many seeds. Phytic acid can bind
with minerals that are important to the body and block their absorption
into the bloodstream.
Sprouting is a process that has been used for centuries to make seeds
and grains easier to digest—and to increase the bioavailability of their
nutrients. Toward that end, every plant, seed or grain contained in
RAW Protein and
RAW Meal undergoes a sprouting process. This makes
Garden of Life RAW Protein or
Garden of Life RAW Meal the obvious choice for those
looking for highly nutritious, nutrient-dense, easily digestible and
high quality protein.
Both Raw Protein and Raw Meal are:
- Raw, Vegan and Organic
- Gluten and Dairy Free
- Contain no Soy Allergens
- Lactose Free
- No Fillers or Isolates
- No Synthetic Nutrients
- No Artificial Sweeteners
- No Preservatives
Raw Protein – Beyond Organic Protein Formula
Now you can unlock the nutritive power of living seeds
and grains with
RAW Protein from Garden of Life—a certified organic,
raw, vegan protein powder. Featuring 14 raw and organic sprouts, RAW
Protein is an excellent source of complete protein, providing 18 grams,
or 35% of the Daily Value, plus all essential amino acids.
RAW Protein contains Vitamin Code fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K, and supports
digestive health and function with live protein-digesting enzymes and
powerful probiotics.
RAW Protein is suitable for almost anyone, including
those on a vegetarian or vegan diet, those on low carbohydrate diets, or
those with gastrointestinal sensitivities to milk, wheat, soy or other
protein sources. If you’re looking to supplement your diet with an
outstanding source of plant-based protein, look no further than
Garden of Life RAW Protein.
Raw Meal – Beyond Organic Meal Replacement Formula
Garden of Life RAW Meal was formulated to be a meal
replacement that satisfies hunger, is naturally filling and provides
energy, all while providing the protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals
that you would find in a healthy meal of raw foods. RAW Meal provides
the nutrition of a well-balanced, healthy raw meal in one delicious
serving.
RAW Meal goes beyond organic by providing live
probiotics, enzymes, and 20
Vitamin Code RAW food-created vitamins and
minerals, which are individually created through multi-probiotic
cultivation, allowing for the natural creation of known and
yet-to-be-discovered Code Factors™ such as beta-glucans, SOD,
glutathione and CoQ10.
RAW Meal
is great for those looking to manage their diet and especially for
anyone looking for a convenient alternative to the pre-packaged or
fast-food meals that dominate our on-the-go lifestyles.
Resources:
Articles:
The Raw Revolution
Raw is Good for Your Health, Are Your Vitamins Raw?
Is Your Multivitamin Raw?
The Vitamin Code Story – Why Raw Multivitamins?
Raw Interview with Jordan Rubin,
“Raw Truth” Author
The statements contained in this article have not been
evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information contained
here is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Suggestions and ideas presented in this document are for information
only and should not be interpreted as medical advice, meant for
diagnosing illness, or for prescriptive purposes. Readers are encouraged
to consult their health care provider before beginning any cleanse,
diet, detoxification program, or any supplement regimen. The information
in this document is not to be used to replace the services or
instructions of a physician or qualified health care practitioner. |
