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Show Notes
Scott suggests that protein is over-promoted and over-consumed. He presents scientific evidence that shows it isn’t nearly as important as the industry wants people to think and may even be outright harmful.
Much ado about protein
- Many medical professionals don’t stay current on diet and nutrition research and often participate unwittingly in spreading mistruths.
- Protein consumption these days is supra-physiologic; we’re eating way too much of it. It’s not that protein isn’t important, it’s just not as vital as it’s being portrayed.
- Protein deficiency isn’t a problem in the developed world. It’s not something that you often see being treated at a hospital or clinic.
- Protein is being hyped everywhere: in the super-market, restaurants, even in airports. To go further, protein supplements are being customized to specific diet niches: paleo, vegan, etc.
- The industry promotes expensive protein and amino acid supplements that have been shown to be harmful.
- Animal-based proteins contain the saturated fats indicated in cardiovascular disease and some cancers, but has been ignored as a problem.
- T. Colin Campbell, author of landmark textbook The China Study, said that “the protein effect has been mysteriously ignored as a cause of disease.”
- Campbell also wrote that “animal-based protein itself, when consumed at levels above the total protein recommendation may [promote carcinogenesis.]”
- Carbs from whole foods are healthy. Processed carbs aren’t. Yet low-carb-high-fat proponents equate processed refined carbs with whole food plant-based carbs to portray the macro-nutrient as unhealthy.
- The body is too “wise” to rely on quantifying macros, as in grams of protein per kilogram of bodyweight.
- Satiation is a must for a diet strategy to work. Hunger obliterates self-control.
- Scott doesn’t advocate formulas, but if one is needed, 80-10-10 is a good one: 80% carbohydrate, 10% fat and 10% protein.
[References]
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