The right protein is as important as exercise.
Like it or not, muscle loss is a natural part of aging. To prevent flabby muscles, most people head to the gym. But even a consistent weight-lifting regimen may not be enough to prevent flab.
“The older we get, the more we need to eat sufficient protein to keep muscles from atrophying,” writes Nan Kathryn Fuchs, PhD, in this month’s Women’s Health Letter. We also don’t digest what protein we do get as well as we did when we were younger.
Recent research in the Journal of Applied Physiology finds that consuming whey protein stimulates muscle more effectively than either casein or soy. Not surprisingly, whey protein is also the favorite of most athletes and body builders.
Dr. Ann Louise’s Take:
In addition, when the body is low in protein, fluid leaks into the spaces between cells, where it can become trapped. This causes cellulite, bloating, and water weight gain.
The Right Whey
Not all whey protein is created equal, though. Many dairy farmers in this country continue to inject their herds with rBST (recombinant bovine somatotropin), an artificial growth hormone.
Produced by Monsanto, this genetically engineered hormone artificially increases milk production—potentially creating at least 20 toxic side effects in cows including mastitis, a painful bacterial infection of the udder. Samuel S. Epstein, MD, finds the risks aren’t limited to animals—rBST increases human’s risk for cancer as well.
A1 versus A2 Protein
Most cows in the United States produce what is known as A1 milk. A1 protein is a genetic mutation found in Holstein and most modern breeds. Dr. Fuchs reports that A1 protein forms a tiny peptide that’s actually a narcotic, which can be linked to various illnesses. No wonder researchers have linked whey protein from A1 cows to diabetes, digestive problems, and heart disease.
By contrast, the original non-mutant A2 protein—available from Guernsey as well as Australia and New Zealand cows—is easier to digest—and has not been associated with disease, the way A1 protein has. A2 protein also contains the amino acid proline that supports collagen and help fight aging.
“If you want to stop the flab of aging muscles and increase your strength, you want undenatured whey from grass-fed cows from A2 milk. The best quality whey protein powder I’ve found is Fat Flush Whey Protein,” writes Dr. Fuchs.
“It’s a whey concentrate that comes from grass-fed New Zealand cows. While not all cows from New Zealand are guaranteed to give A2 milk—unless they have been certified through expensive DNA testing—90% are,” she adds.
Sources:
Fat Flush for Life
www.womenshealthletter.com/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20084391
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19589961
www.sustainabletable.org/spread/handouts/rBGH.pdf
https://thebovine.wordpress.com/2009/09/08/alternet-alleges-dairy-industry-knows-a1-milk-may-endanger-your-health/
