Amino Acid Utilization

 Dr. David Minkoff, MD, in his book The Search for the Perfect Protein discusses the concept of Amino Acid Utilization abbreviated as AAU. He begins by pointing out that the very best proteins in nature are mother's milk and eggs. Mother's milk has an AAU of 49% and eggs 48%. Meat, fish and fowl have an AAU of about 32%. Most protein supplements are less than 20%. Soy is 17%, dairy 16%, and spirulina 6%. NeoLife for years considered this concept under the acronym Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS). This looks at not only the amino acid balance discussed by Minkoff, but also the importance of the ability to digest protein. A perfect score with the PDCAAS is 1, the profile of a raw egg. Measures of the usability of protein can fall with cooking or other changes to the structure of the protein or can improve when the protein is made more digestible. NeoLife proteins have a PDCAAS of 1-1.4 due to the excellent protein balance and ability to be digested.

I am often asked about collagen protein. Minkoff notes that 50% of collagen is nonessential amino acids and it is deficient in tryptophan, isoleucine, threonine and methionine. AAU for collagen proteins is poor. He also notes that collagen products often come from animals exposed to contaminants including antibiotics, prescription drug metabolites, steroids, insecticides and hormones.

Unusable protein may be dumped out of the body or converted to carbohydrate which in some instances can affect blood sugar.

Many people are afraid of the cholesterol in egg yolk and choose to consume just egg whites.Minkoff points out that the AAU of egg protein drops from 48% to 17% when the yolk is removed.

NeoLife Vegan Protein

 ■ Clinically proven nutrients to support brain, heart, bone, vision, immune, skin, energy metabolism, weight maintenance and overall health*

■ Formulated with an innovative Plant-Based Superfood Protein Blend of 5 protein sources — Pea, Fava Bean, Brown Rice, Chickpea, and Hemp; combined to optimize protein quality

• Canadian yellow peas processed using a chemical free, water separation method for highly bioavailable protein*

• Fava beans protein is extracted with purified water and contains high levels of phenolic compounds to support antioxidant activity*

• Brown Rice Protein extracted with a proprietary low-heat process is the first patented allergen-friendly whole rice grain protein source

• Chickpeas are nutrient dense and support a low glycemic response*

• Hemp protein contains essential fatty acids and does not have any THC or CBD

■ Biologically complete protein with ideal levels and ratios of the 9 essential amino acids (EAAs)

■ Excellent source of high-quality protein with 18g per serving — 36% of the Daily Value

■ Over 3 grams of Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs) to help build and maintain muscle*

■ Energizing Healthy Fat Blend from High Oleic Sunflower Oil and MCT Oil for energy and support for cognitive and brain health*

■ Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT) and Monounsaturated Fatty Acids (MUFA) to provide healthy fats

■ Supports healthy blood sugar maintenance*

■ Supports healthy digestion with Phyto-Digestive Enzymes*

■ Includes a wide spectrum of 24 essential Vitamins and Minerals

Choline & Inositol to help support normal neurotransmitter function, a healthy nervous system, and normal fat metabolism*

■ Only 140 calories

■ Less than 0.5g of added sugar

■ Non-GMO

■ Dairy and Lactose Free

■ Gluten Free

 Male Infertility

Recent research suggests that male infertility is a common problem. Researchers have found that the higher quality omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA improve the vitality of sperm and improve male fertility. A recent analysis by Hosseini and associates concluded the following: "This meta-analysis indicates that supplementing infertile men with omega-3 fatty acids resulted in a significant improvement in sperm motility and concentration of DHA in seminal plasma."

Another study repeats the emphasis on omega-3 fats but also mentions the apparent importance of cereal grains and fruits and vegetables. These researchers wrote, "Studies have indicated that in men with idiopathic infertility, omega-3 intervention resulted in significant improvement in total sperm count as well as sperm cell density. Moreover, several studies have shown that higher intake of poultry, cereals, fruit and vegetables may play a beneficial role in male infertility." It sure sounds like ProVitality Plus with omega-3 fats, grain, fruit and vegetable extracts along with a good protein supplement might be worthy of attention for those suffering with infertility.

References:

Hosseini, Banafshe et al., (2019) The Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acids, EPA, and/or DHA on Male Infertility: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis, Journal of Dietary Supplements,2019; 16:2, 245-256,  DOI: 10.1080/19390211.2018.1431753

Hosseini, Banafshe et al., Dietary Nutrients and Male Infertility: Review of Current Evidence, Galen Medical Journal, [S.l.], v. 4, n. 4, p. 123-29, nov. 2015. ISSN 2322-2379. 

Hydrolysate Protein

     The term used for digestion of protein is hydrolysis (hydro = "water" and lysis = "to loose". A hydrolysate protein is one which is partially but not completely broken down with enzymes and water. NeoLife protein products are in hydrolysate form because of the Protogard Process which utilizes enzymes to partially break the protein down
at body temperature. The low temperature prevents the protein from being denatured.
     Hydrolysate protein has definite nutritional advantages. Colgan writes, "The edge for absorption lies with hydrolysates. They are absorbed better than free-form amino acids because the human gut has a special transport system for dipeptides and tripeptides (combinations of two or three amino acids) that single amino acids cannot use."
     Colgan continues, "I used to favor the free-form amino acids, but numerous recent studies of burn and surgery patients have shown that nitrogen retention and recovery from injury is faster with hydrolysates than with intact proteins or equivalent free-form amino acid mixtures."
     Colgan notes that one animal study showed hydrolysate protein twice as effective as intact protein and seven times as effective as free-form amino acids. The small combinations of amino acids missing in free-form amino acids, but present in hydrolysate protein, stimulate the liver to produce a muscle growth factor. Colgan suggests that this form of protein offers the competitive athlete an edge.
Reference:
Colgan, Michael, Optimum Sports Nutrition, New York: Advanced Research Press, 1993, 160.

Aging and Protein

     Older individuals often lose muscle. Contributing factors are reduced appetite, preference for carbohydrate over protein, and decline in the ability to digest protein foods due to reduced production of hydrochloric acid and pancreatic enzymes.
     Studies have shown that older men and women who use a protein supplement have greater strength and muscle mass gains when they exercise than those who do not use the supplement. Retention of strength for as long as possible is important as we age because muscle weakness increases the likelihood of falls and broken bones.
Reference:
 Evans WJ, Protein Nutrition, Exercise and Aging, J Am Coll Nutr, 2004;23(6):601S-609S.

NeoLife Protein Quality

     NeoLife protein is manufactured using an exclusive Protogard Process. The process involves selecting the highest quality protein sources. A low-temperature process involving a blend of protein-digesting enzymes is then used to protect the amino acids an improve digestibility.
     The World Health Organization has adopted a standard for protein quality called PDCAAS (Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score). A perfect score is 1.0. All NeoLife proteins meet or exceed this score. The NeoLife Shake, the most recently developed protein product has a PDCAAS of 1.73. Super Ease is 1.49. The Glycemic Response Control protein has a PDCAAS of 1.31.
     NeoLife Protein products also contain all 22 amino acids important for complete protein nutrition.
See my May 2013 newsletter for more about protein.

Fighting Depression

Dr. Jonathan Wright believes that a good deal of depression would benefit from amino acid supplementation. He writes, "Depression is not caused by a patent medicine deficiency. After my first 20 years of medical practice, experience had taught me that a considerable proportion of 'clinical depression' was caused by a deficiency of neurotransmitters. (Neurotransmitters are the molecules that 'carry the messages' from one neuron--nerve cell--to the next.) After another 21 years of medical practice, I'm just as convinced as ever that this is the case. If you suffer from depression, and you've experienced a favorable response to an anti-depressant medication, I can be quite confident that a combination of nutritional therapies centering on amino acids will eliminate your depression better than the patent medicine ever did, and with virtually no side effects."

Dr. Wright explains that the most common reasons why people are amino acid deficient are poor digestion due to inadequate production of digestive substances such as hydrochloric acid (GNLD Betagest) and enzymes (GNLD Enzyme Digestive Aid and damage to the digestive tract from allergic responses to gluten or other foods. Bacterial overgrowth can also damage the digestive tract. GNLD protein products are often ideal for supplying missing amino acids because the company uses an exclusive predigestion technology (the Protogard Process) which breaks down protein into its most usable forms through the action of enzymes at body temperature. All GNLD protein products contain all 22 amino acids including those essential for neurotransmitter production. They all score a perfect 1.0 or above on the government standard of protein usability called PDCAAS (Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score). Feeling a little down? A serving of GR2 Meal Replacement might lift your spirits more than alcohol or soft drinks!

Wright, Jonathan, How to read your body's blueprint for treating--or preventing--depression, Nutrition and Healing, October 2011, 1.