Health Information Blog

A sock is an item of clothing worn on the foot and often used to absorb sweat in hot weather. In cold weather climates they are worn to reduce the risk of frostbite. When looking for socks there are many factor’s to consider while shopping. A few things to keep in mind are, what type you are looking for, what shoes or clothing you are wearing them with, and if you are shopping for socks for a certain activity or health concern.

Wools socks are comfortable to wear as well as it keeps you nice and warm. It is fully thermalined for shock absorption and insulation. Wool is a fiber that is harvested from sheep. They last longer than typical cotton socks but can get itchy at times when wearing them. Smartwool socks are the most comfortable sock you can wear in all kinds on conditions. It’s the best fiber in the world for cold or warm use or wet and dry weather use. It’s soft and itch free you will never want to take them off. It’s made from the finest grade of Merino specially selected and treated with the revolutionary per inch. When it’s knitted into the socks it creates millions of microscopic air pockets. Thigh high socks are fashionable. Some people may think they are “slutty” but it all depends on what kind you wear and how you wear them. They are best to wear with a mini-skirt or shorts. Most people wear them for the fun patterns and decorative tops. They are elasticized to fit your leg. Most of them are made out of recycled fabrics. Knee high socks are fashionable as well. They are good to wear with just about anything. Most schools who have a dress code tend to wear them. People of all ages can look good in a pair of them.

There are socks in the market that are solely made for health reasons. Compression socks are usually recommended for those who are prone to get blood clots, or for diabetics whose legs often swell. The compression aids in the circulation of blood and fluid throughout the leg. Today, compression items are also used more in the sports field to aid in muscle stability. Diabetic socks are a type of sock that is made to be non binding, with a stretchy top allowing blood to circulate freely. The socks, usually made of cotton, should fit comfortably, be without seams, and are not constricting. Although they come in different colors, white is preferred as they can alert the wearer of a possible wound. Any choice of diabetic sock should be discussed with ones’ podiatrist depending on your needs.

There are many types of options for socks. There are socks that serve a medical purpose, those that serve a fashionable purpose and those that are meant to serve a comfort purpose. Each of these types of socks come in different materials, colors and prints along with different thicknesses.

Socks are fashionable yet have a purpose as well. They can improve blood circulation and promote your health. Diabetics and people that travel will find many benefits in wearing different kinds of socks. Go ahead and replace old socks with new ones that are comfortable and offer more padding and support so that you feel better.

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The alternate food regimen is one that means that you can pick and select the foods you eat from every of the six meals groups based on portion sizes. Whenever you begin consuming with this weight-reduction plan, it could seem to be a number of work however as you get used to the parts sizes and the common substitutions that you just make it should get easier.

One of many benefits of the exchange food regimen it the flexibleness you’ve in your meal planning. So long as you are consuming the proper variety of exchanges from every food group you will preserve higher management of your blood glucose levels.

If you happen to get bored fairly easily by eating the identical meals day in and day out, the change food regimen could be for you. There are countless prospects to combine different foods collectively at meal times. You’ll be able to have broccoli for dinner three nights in a row however make it a utterly totally different meal each time. One evening you’ll be able to have one small potato, cup of steamed broccoli and a one ounce pork chop; the second night have cup of cooked pasta tossed with cup of broccoli and one ounce of cooked hen; and the third night attempt 1/three cup of rice mixed with cup of broccoli and one ounce of lean ground beef.

The trade diet additionally takes the guess work out of meal planning for diabetics. It is laid out in a very straight ahead and easy to know manner. If there are foods that you can not discover on the change list given to you by your dietician, name and discover out which group it belongs too and what a correct portion size is.

At first you need to weigh and measure your foods to make sure you are utilizing the proper quantities however as time passes it is possible for you to to do that by sight.

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One of the conditions that older adults are more susceptible to is diabetes. Often times diabetes is a result of being overweight, which can in turn cause other health issues. If you have diabetes or are on track to become diabetic, here is some information on diabetes and how physical activity can help improve your life. Weight reduction via changes to your diet and exercise regimen can ameliorate the situation. If you have a lot of weight to lose, you may want to begin with a quick weight loss diet.

Diabetes is a metabolic condition where your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t react to it as it should. Foods that we eat are turned into sugars called glucose and used as energy or stored as fat until it is needed. The pancreas produces insulin which allows glucose to enter the cells of your body to be utilized as an energy source.

When there is not enough insulin to do the job, the glucose stays in the bloodstream, raising the level of blood sugar. Chronically elevated blood glucose levels causes damage to all body organs, the eyes and kidneys are particularly susceptible. Diabetics are known to have nerve damage, poor healing capabilities after sustaining wounds, renal damage and heart disease. There are two types of diabetes, 1 and 2, the most common of which is Type 2 diabetes.

How exercise can help

Diabetes in the body can set off a cascade of other problems. Seniors with diabetes are often dependent on insulin or, if not, they are taking pills for other conditions that have led to diabetes or have been caused by the diabetic condition. But, diabetes doesn’t have to lead to critical illnesses.

Exercise can help. Even if you already have diabetes, you can still exercise and improve your overall fitness and health. Exercise can even improve your condition to the point where you no longer have to take any medication to control it.

Exercise helps you maintain a healthy weight. Those of us who are overweight have a far higher probability of contracting diabetes. Exercise in combination with the proper diet can help to maintain stable blood sugar levels and reduce your need for insulin. If you have more than ten pounds to lose, you may want to consider a rapid weight loss diet, to get your weight under control.

Exercise also lowers other elevated levels such as cholesterol and blood pressure. Elevated blood pressure can put an excess burden on your heart and cause a host of other health problems. Elevated blood pressure puts you at an increased risk for a stroke, heart attach, and kidney malfunction.

Always consult your doctor before beginning any sort of fitness program. The physician can give you advice as to which types of exercises may be appropriate for you. When you begin your workout regimen be aware that it may cause your blood sugar to become too low temporarily. Always carry a high carbohydrate snack such as juice or candy with you when you workout so you can remedy hypoglycemic episodes.

You do not have to stop trying to become fit just because you have diabetes. Exercise increases your overall health and can improve your diabetes.

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Our kidneys do a lot of work to help keep us healthy. They are responsible for filtering out waste from our blood. They release hormones that regulate blood pressure. Our kidneys process more than 18 gallons of blood each and every hour of the day, and filter more than half of the fluids we take in. Unfortunately, our kidneys are susceptible to a number of ailments, from simple kidney infections to kidney stones to chronic kidney disease, which can ultimately lead to renal failure.

There are many symptoms of renal failure. Many patients have vomiting and diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration. Others find that their urine is foamy or bubbly and that they urinate often during the night. Other symptoms include blood in urine, difficulty urinating, weight loss, pale urine and increased urination. Some of the risk factors for chronic kidney disease include hypertension, gout, diabetes and family history, and there are some ethnic groups, such as African-American, Hispanic, Native American and Pacific Islander, who are more susceptible to chronic kidney disease.

Kidney failure can be caused by a number of things, and often, chronic kidney disease that leads to kidney failure is fatal. Some of the factors that can cause kidney failure include dehydration, the use of diuretics, an obstruction of renal veins or arteries, major infections, muscle breakdown (called rhabodmyolysis) and hopuvolemia, which is a low blood volume which can be caused by extreme blood loss.

More than 26 million Americans are affected by chronic kidney disease and millions more are at risk of developing it. The best way to keep this disease in check is to be diagnosed in the earliest stages when the disease is at its most treatable. Many patients with chronic kidney disease are also at risk of developing heart disease, which is a major cause of death for chronic kidney disease patients. When chronic kidney disease progresses to its final stages, it can lead to kidney failure.

Proper Nutrition is Necessary for Chronic Kidney Disease Patients

It is essential that patients with chronic kidney disease follow a diet that has been planned specifically for their needs, one that has been created by a physician, dietitian or nutritionist. In the early stages of chronic kidney disease, patients actually need less protein than the average, healthy person (normally, 35% of the daily caloric intake should come from protein). In the final stages, they need more because dialysis depletes the body of protein, which is needed to help rebuild tissues.

All About Protein

Protein is a macronutrient that everyone needs in their diets in order to survive. It is comprised of chains of amino acids and contains hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and carbon. Protein is a dietary source of energy and is necessary for the building, maintenance and repair of muscles and other tissues. Studies have shown that a number of serious health issues and diseases could be prevented by getting enough of the right proteins in our diets, and those who are in renal failure need different amounts of protein at different stages of their disease. There are two types of amino acids, essential and non-essential.

Essential Amino Acids - There are eight essential amino acids. They are called essential because they are amino acids that the body needs but cannot produce itself. Essential amino acids must come from dietary sources as well as protein supplements. The eight essential amino acids are: leucine, methionine, isoleucine, lysine, valine, threonine, phenylanine and tryptophan.

Non-Essential Amino Acids - These are amino acids that the body needs and can manufacture itself. The 14 non-essential amino acids are: l-arginine, glycene, apartic acid, glutamine, alanine, asparagines, histidine, cysteine, taurine, serine, cystine, proline, threonine and glutathione.

There are two different types or proteins: complete proteins and incomplete proteins. Complete proteins contain all 22 of the essential and non-essential amino acids. Incomplete proteins do not contain all of the amino acids, but when eaten in combination, can provide the nutrients needed.

Protein Supplements Can Help

Many patients in renal failure, especially those who are in the final stages, require much more protein than the average person. Because they also must maintain low-calorie, low-fat diets, many physicians and dietitians recommend that patients use protein supplements. Not only are they loaded with the protein that patients need for tissue recovery and energy, they also have plenty of other vitamins and nutrients.

There are a number of different types of protein supplements available, in addition to protein capsules (which can be taken any time with your favorite liquid, such as water, milk or juice.) The most popular types of protein supplements are protein powders, liquid proteins and protein shots.

Protein Powders: Protein powders are a popular choice for many people, probably because they are so versatile. There are many unflavored protein powders (many of these are made from rice or soy protein) that can be used in just about any recipe to add protein to every meal. There are also protein powders available in a number of delicious flavors, including chocolate, vanilla, berry, and fruit punch, which can be used to make great-tasting shakes, smoothies and slushies that can be used for meal replacements.

Liquid Protein Supplements: Liquid protein supplements can be purchased in a form that is used to mix with a number of drinks, such as juice or milk. There are also liquid protein supplements that are pre-mixed in ready-to-drink, pre-measured servings that are extremely handy because they can be taken anywhere. Some of these supplements are available in such flavors as chocolate and vanilla.

Protein Shots: These are another portable form of liquid protein supplement. These small and delicious shots of liquid protein have 25 to 30 grams of protein per serving, so even drinking one in a day will provide half of the recommended daily intake. One of the more popular protein shots available today is Profect, by Protica. This 2.9 fluid ounce drink provides 25 grams of protein and only 100 calories, as well as being low in fat and carbohydrates. Profect is available in many delicious flavors, such as Blue Raspberry and Grapefruit-Mango, and contains 100% of the daily recommended amount of vitamin C, as well as 10% of the daily recommended amount of the B complex vitamins.

Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein supplements for weight loss surgery patients. You can learn more at Protica Research - Copyright

A pregnant ladies suffering from gestational diabetes should care for the scenario merely because if it’s left uncared it might result in macrosomia which is also known as large baby and it becomes very difficult for a mother throughout delivery. Even this causes blood sugar level to improve in the physique comparable to other forms of diabetes. 1 of the best methods to control the level could be to follow a diabetes diet plan. To formulate a diet usually approach a nutritionist, your doctor and registered dietitian who guides you with one which suits you the extremely best based in your weight, physical needs, height, requirements of your child and also depends on the food you prefer.

They’ll also teach you to check your sugar level, control calories and how to count your carbohydrates intake. In most of the cases diabetes can be controlled by regular physical exercise and correct diabetes diet plan.

If your dietitian is not yet consulted then here are couple of common diabetes diet plan which you will need to follow aside from eating nutritious and healthy food. You ought to stick to the schedule by making an eating pattern. You have to be usually cautious about what you eat, when you eat and the quantity of intake. You need to take the food in such way that’s evenly distributed throughout the day and by doing so you can have control over your blood sugar level. Your blood sugar can drop if you avoid snacks or meals.

You might feel week if the sugar level in the physique is low. It’s advised to eat little portions at frequent intervals rather than eating large portions at infrequent intervals which would raise your sugar level. You ought to usually depend on variety of foods.

Normally the diabetes diet plan emphasizes on carbohydrates wealthy food. You need to also combine fruits, fibers, vegetables, proteins, dairy goods and other types of fats with them. Usually have a healthy and colorful plate of meals. Your blood sugar level will be low in the morning and so you have to eat great breakfast.

Your breakfast ought to include little portion of carbohydrates and high level of proteins. This is included in diabetes diet plan as it doesn’t drastically increase the blood sugar level. Do not rely only on the couple of suggestions given to manage your diabetes. You must also consult medical practitioners to obtain detail directions on diabetes diet plan to ensure that you can manage your sugar levels during your pregnancy.

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The years between 2000 and 2010 cardiovascular related deaths have dropped 40% and stroke related deaths have dropped 35%. The number of people who smoke has only dropped 16% and those who are obese have declined by less than three percent. (Source Macready 2010) Good cardiovascular health relies on two different concepts - behaviors and factors. Finding the ideal of these two concepts is the most important way to get to good cardiovascular health.

Ideal Behaviors for Cardiovascular Health

The behaviors that are defined as optimal for good overall and cardiovascular health include: not smoking, obtaining and maintaining a healthy weight, and getting the right amount of exercise as defined by the American Heart Association.

Ideal Factors for Cardiovascular Health

These include an optimal blood pressure, fasting blood glucose level and total cholesterol levels. All three numbers should be within the range set by the AHA and are best when they are maintained without medication at all.

In the past, the American Heart Association, the American Diabetic Association, and the American Cancer Association have all focused on individual diseases, however the thinking has changed in the recent years. Instead of worrying about one disease, the recommendations are now to work toward an overall healthy lifestyle. The healthy behaviors that are recommended for good cardiovascular health are separated into tip for children and adults and include:

Smoking

- Adults: The sooner that you quit smoking the more health benefits that you will get. Lung function can be restored quickly, reducing the chance of developing heart disease as well as lung disease.

- Children: It is easier to never stop smoking in the first place than it is to quit once you have developed a habit.

BMI

- Adults: A healthy weight that is established by the AHA is the goal. However it should only be accomplished by using a healthy and well balanced diet, not a fad. Fad diets, especially those that ignore an entire food group or that sound outlandish can be dangerous because they tend to set up unrealistic expectations. The weight lost on a fad diet is typically water weight with weight gained back quickly. It is better to use a sensible diet that allows for slow, steady, and maintainable weight loss. For those who are having great difficulty losing weight, the goal should be to keep the weight from climbing any further.

- Children: should be encouraged to be more active, they should get at least an hour of physical activity every day and should be eating more healthfully too. In addition to the hour of active time, there should be a no-screen time period every day where there will no be television, computer, etc.

Healthy Diet

- Adults: Eat a lot of fruits and vegetables, no fried foods, no added salt and healthy fats. Proteins should come from lean meats and plant sources including soy, the only complete plant protein.

- Children: No clean plate rule, small portions and healthy food choices should be the basis of the child’s diet.

The New Guidelines

The American Heart Association has set up a chart with three levels: poor, intermediate, and optimal health. The healthier your diet becomes and the healthier your other behaviors are, the higher your score will be (get your own heart score at www.heart.org/mylifecheck ).

Healthy Diet

A healthy diet includes all three of the macronutrients: proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Carbohydrates should be the healthy, complex variety and fats should only come from healthy sources. Proteins, which can come from both plants and animal sources, should also be lean. Protein supplements can also be included in the healthy diet and can be very beneficial to heart health. The American Heart Association suggests that the diet consist of a maximum of 35% protein calories with carbohydrates making up the bulk of the diet.

Animal Proteins

Animal proteins are complete because they supply all eight of the essential amino acids that the body cannot create for itself. The best of the animal proteins are lean meats like turkey and chicken as well as eggs and low fat dairy foods. Red meats should be avoided as much as possible.

Plant Proteins

With the exception of soy protein, plant proteins are incomplete because they lack one of the essential amino acids. A vegetarian or vegan can get adequate protein as long as they are getting a variety of different foods in this category.

Protein supplements

There are a number of different types of protein supplements including protein powders, bars, and liquid protein supplement shots. All protein supplements are made from either plant or animal based proteins and should be selected carefully, not only for the amount of protein that they contain but for the quality of ingredients. These supplements should not include extra sugars or fats.

Whey Protein and Heart Health

Whey protein is derived from milk as a byproduct of cheese. Of all of the protein powders, whey is the most common and comes in two forms: the concentrate which is the least expensive has 30-85% protein, while the isolate has 90% and is more expensive. The whey protein isolate has less lactose and may be tolerated by those who are sensitive to milk products.

Whey protein is an optimal source of amino acids, including branched chain amino acids which are unique in that they are metabolized directly into muscle tissue. They boost immunity, enhance muscle recovery after a workout and prevent muscle breakdown. It may also improve blood pressure and blood vessel function.

Whey protein, like most protein sources, helps to maintain a stable and even blood sugar level after a meal and may help with keeping hunger at bay.

Soy Protein

Two servings of any form of soy protein every day may lower blood cholesterol levels as much as nine points and may also lower the blood pressure. These two factors will together also lower the risk of a heart attack as well. (Source: Natural News) Like whey, soy is available in both a concentrate and isolate form and is a highly digestible form of protein. Soy protein is suitable for both vegetarians and vegans.

Egg Protein

Egg protein is derived from the white of the egg which is deemed the most perfect protein, against which all others are graded. Egg protein powder is the highest source of the amino acids alanine, argine, glycine, and methione.

Rice Protein

Rice protein is derived from brown rice and contains all eight essential amino acids, making it a complete protein. It is also hypoallergenic making it a good source of nutrition for those who have food sensitivities and allergies and is also good for vegans and vegetarians. (Source: Segounis)

Profect Supplement

Profect is a protein supplement shot that is small and portable as well as nutritious. It can be used before or between a meal to keep the blood sugar stable and help control the appetite. Profect is only 100 calories and is only 2.9 fluid ounces in size but has full 25 grams of protein.

Carbohydrates

Despite the bum rap they have been getting in recent years, carbs should make up the bulk of the healthy diet, at least, the complex carbs should. These include whole grain breads and pastas, vegetables and fruits and other foods. Simple carbs should be severely limited or avoided as much as possible.

Fats

Healthy fats play an important role in the heart healthy diet and should account for up to 20% of the daily calorie intake. Good fats include fatty fish, olive oil, and avocadoes.

Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein drinks for cancer patients. You can learn more at Protica Research - Copyright

Peripheral arterial disease, commonly referred to as PAD, is clogged arteries in the leg that warn of widespread cardiovascular disease and typically is a warning sign for stroke or heart attack. The risks for PAD are the same as for heart disease: hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity and family history. The more risk factors that you have, the higher your risk will go. People who are diagnosed with PAD are two to four times more likely to also develop coronary artery disease (CAD) and their heart attack risk climbs to 20-60% higher (Source: Palkhivala, 2008).

The symptoms of PAD include leg muscle discomfort, fatigue or a pain that may occur in the buttocks, thighs or calf muscles when you are walking or when you are working out. In half of the diagnosed cases of the disease, however, there are no symptoms that are reported or noticed at all or it may be dismissed as leg strain, arthritis or other causes. The longer that PAD goes untreated, however, the more serious it will become, eventually leading to the need for amputation.

Early detection and treatment of PAD is the key to keeping it from getting to that point. The test for PAD is typically an ankle-brachial index. The test involves taking blood pressure readings in the arm and then the ankle. The two numbers are compared: the ankle number should be the same or slightly higher than the one in the arm. A good score for the ankle-brachial index is 1 or 1.1 - at or below .95, you have enough narrowing in the blood vessels in your leg to warrant further examination, with tests that range from an ultrasound of the leg to MRI or CT scans.

For early PAD, walking is considered to be the first and best line of treatment. If the PAD is advanced or the patient refuses to comply with the walking order, the next step will be surgery, typically an angioplasty procedure of the leg. Angioplasty below the knee is not considered to be as effective or as durable a surgery as that which is done above the knee. A bypass is another surgical option that might be considered if the symptoms are severe enough or if there is danger of the leg being lost completely. In most cases, a blood thinner will be prescribed, however, the surgeries and medications are only part of the treatment plan for the long term. Identifying and eliminating as many of the risk factors as possible is also a key to PAD treatment.

Knowledge is the key to PAD’s treatment as well. In a study that was published in Circulation, Dr. Alan T. Hirsch. M.D., Adjunct Professor of Epidemiology and Community Health at the University Of Minnesota School Of Public Health in Minneapolis, found that through a survey of 2500 Americans adults aged 50 or over, only 26% knew what PAD was or knew that it was associated with heart disease and/or stroke. Only 14% of those surveyed knew that it could potentially lead to amputation (Source: Hirsh, 2007).

Proper Nutrition to Lose Weight

Because PAD is linked to heart disease and hypertension, the American Heart Association suggests that the DASH diet might be beneficial to keep in mind. DASH stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension and consists of fruits, vegetables, whole grain foods and healthy fat sources. Low-fat dairy is also included in the diet plan, which suggests limiting or eliminating red meats completely. DASH also lowers the amount of sodium in the diet, which is a major factor in developing hypertension.

Protein to Lose Weight and Improve Cardiovascular Health

Protein comes from both plants and animal sources. Protein should come from lean animal sources, chicken, turkey, fish and low-fat dairy and plants as much as possible. Protein helps not only to improve cardiovascular health and functioning but plays a role in weight loss in a number of different ways.

- Protein digests far more slowly in the body and will improve satiety for longer.

- Protein kicks off higher levels of thermogenesis in the body (with a 30% increase for protein as opposed to a 10% increase for carbs.) In fact, only alcohol increases thermogenesis more than protein (Source: Westerterp)

- Protein stabilizes blood glucose levels, slowing the absorption of glucose into the blood stream.

- Protein lowers hunger and increase fat burning potential.

- Protein, especially whey protein, makes more lean muscle tissue and lowers body fat.

- Soy protein lowers the cholesterol levels and may also lower the blood pressure, and it is suitable for vegans.

- Whey protein enhances muscle recovery after strenuous workouts and may help to prevent muscle breakdown (Source: Segounis)

- Whey protein may help to improve blood vessel function, increasing the blood flow and improving the blood pressure (Source: Mercola 2009)

It is important that you get not only the right kind of protein but the right amount. The American Heart Association suggests that no more than 35% of the overall daily calories be from protein. That is keeping in line with the numbers that are suggested by the DASH weight loss plan that should consist of 50% carbohydrates, 35% protein and 15% fats. The slightly higher level of protein keeps satiety scores high and allows for easier weight loss overall (Source: The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition).

Fats should come from healthy food sources like olives, olive oil, nuts and fatty fish. Bad fats include saturated fats like the ones that are solid at room temperature and hydrogenated fats like those that are found in many processed foods. Carbohydrates should be complex carbs like whole grain foods that are more slowly absorbed into the body and do not cause the insulin spike that can lead to weight gain. Avoid simple carbohydrates like those that are made with white sugar or white flour because they are empty of nutrition and will lead to further weight gain.

Protein supplements may be added to the diet as long as they are counted in the overall intake, and they should be healthy: low in calories, high in absorbable protein and having additional nutrition as well. Whey protein is a good choice but it may be too high in calories, especially for those who are trying to lose a lot of weight. A better choice, especially as a between meal snack that can destroy hunger, is Profect, from Protica. Profect is a small protein shot that supplies 25 grams of protein, vitamin C and vitamin B complex with zero carbs, zero fats and only 100 calories. Used between meals, it will help to stabilize the blood sugar and reduce hunger.

Eliminating red meat from the diet may also mean eliminating L-carnitine, which has been found to reduce the pain associated with PAD. Discuss adding a supplement with your doctor before you do so.

Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein supplements for bariatric patients. You can learn more at Protica Research - Copyright

The body relies on three macronutrients: protein, carbohydrates and fat, as well as many micronutrients. Unlike carbohydrates and fats, protein is not easily stored in the body, however, it will store protein just like the nutrients if there are too many calories consumed. Fat is the easiest to digest for the body. The body digests carbs based on what kind they are. Simple carbs are fast and easy to digest and lead to sugar spikes that can cause weight gain. Complex carbs, on the other hand, take longer for the body to digest and do not contribute to the sugar spike, insulin surge cycle.

Proteins are the hardest for the body to digest and start burning energy from the moment that they enter the blood stream. Proteins, in addition to being slow to digest, are vital for every cell in the body and play a major role in a number of functions. Despite the importance of the nutrient, there is an upper limit to the amount of protein that is needed by the body. Ironically, the need for protein is never greater than in the first six months of human life, when pound for pound, the protein need is double what it will be for the rest of life, no matter what the circumstance or life stage.

Some of the Roles of Protein

The most obvious role of protein is in the creation and repair of muscles, but there are countless others. These include:

- Building of connective tissue

- Building cell membranes

- Contributing to the bone matrix

- Regulating the pH balance of the blood

- Forming hormones and enzymes, including those that play a role in the regulation of sleep, digestion and ovulation

- Boosting immune function (antibodies are proteins)

- Creating new blood cells

- Creating RNA and DNA

- Creating neurotransmitters

(Source: Nelson, 2009)

The Digestive Process of Protein

All proteins are made of a number of amino acids. While the human body can create many of these amino acids on its own, there are eight which are not made in the human body and must come from food sources every day. These are called the essential amino acids. A protein is either considered to be complete, meaning that it has all eight of the essential amino acids, or incomplete, meaning that it is lacking one or more of them. These eight amino acids are leucine, isoleucine, valine, threonine, methionine, phenylalanine, tryptophan and lysine. Animal proteins are complete, while most plant proteins are not.

These amino acids are technically simple compounds created from molecules of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen or nitrogen. Each of the amino acids will link together to form a chain, which are then referred to as a peptide. The average peptide will have over 500 amino acids in it.

Each protein is broken down into the simple amino acids during the digestive process. These in turn are absorbed and used by the body to make new amino acids, enzymes and hormones.

During digestion, the protein is first sent to the stomach, where hydrochloric acid in the stomach’s gastric acid breaks it down into its first components. The gastric enzyme pepsin, which is the only protease able to digest collagen, a protein in animal connective tissue, digests the amino acids. (Enzymes are classified as either proteinases or proteases.) The next step in the process takes place in the duodenum, the first segment of the small intestine. Here, the pancreas will deliver its own protease enzymes, trypsin and chymotrypsin. Trypsin works to break down the protein into amino acids through a process called hydrolysis, where a water molecule is inserted between two amino acids to break their bond and separate them. At this point in the digestive process, the amino acids are small enough to pass through the intestinal lining and throughout the rest of the body.

During exercise, the production of the body’s proteins is decreased. The remaining protein is then converted to free amino acids and used for fuel for the working muscle groups. After the exercise is done, especially in the case of heavy resistance training, the rate of protein synthesis remains low while breakdown rates remains elevated for about twenty four hours. Without a new source of protein during this, the recovery period, the breakdown will likely exceed that of synthesis and the body will turn to its own muscles for fuel.

Evaluating Proteins

All proteins, especially those being used by elite, endurance and strength athletes, are evaluated on two scales. The Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAA) judges the completeness of a protein. A complete protein, meaning one that has all eight essential amino acids, will earn a score of 1 on this scale. The second score is the biological value (BV) score, which will judge how much of a protein is actually retained by the body after it is broken down. All protein types are often judged against the egg on this scale because it scores 100, meaning that all of the protein that you get from eating an egg is retained by the body. Unless you are an elite athlete, it is not likely that you know or care about the PDCAA or BV score of your protein, and there are simpler ways to evaluate the foods and supplements that you consume.

Your proteins should be low fat, especially in saturated fat. They should be low in calories, or at least not extremely high in calories in relation to the portion size. Finally, they should taste good and have other nutritional benefits as well.

Protein supplements should be high in protein but low in calories and should not have added sugars or fats. Read all labels carefully, since some of the brands of protein bars are trying to pretend to be healthy when they bear little difference from the average candy bar.

Know Your Protein Need

From the infant in his cradle to the elite body builder to the old man who is playing shuffleboard, all humans need protein. Their actual need is as individual as they are, based on their age, their health, their weight and their activity level. Protein is important, but it can also be dangerous when consumed in extremely high amounts. The experts suggest that the upper limit is no more than 35% of the total daily calories, even for the elite athletes. As mentioned before, there is no greater need for protein than during the first six months of life, when the baby should be getting 2.2 grams of protein per kg of body weight. The elite body builder, on the other hand, should be getting around 1.6 grams per kg of body weight. (Source: US Guidelines on Protein and Nutrition) For the average sized man, that translates to roughly about 60 grams of protein per day, or about 8 ounces of meat. Women need less protein than men, unless they are pregnant, when the need increases dramatically. However, when a woman is not pregnant, excessive protein can lead to increased calcium loss through the urine, putting her at a greater risk for developing osteoporosis. (Source: Tsang, RD 2007)

For the average person, the protein need is between .5 and .8 grams per kg of body weight each day, more if you are very active and less if you sedentary. Timing is important as well, with athletes advised to eat a small protein meal or take their choice of protein supplement before they work out and immediately afterward so that the body does not resort to tearing down its own muscle mass in search of energy.

Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein supplements for bariatric patients. You can learn more at Protica Research - Copyright

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the many diseases and conditions that can affect the kidneys. These two small organs (each about 4 inches long and they weigh less than a pound altogether) filter the blood at a rate of about eighteen gallons per hour. Over half of all of the fluid in the body will also be filtered by the kidneys at some point, removing waste products and sending those to the bladder to be excreted via urine. By the end of the day, the body will have created and excreted about two quarts of urine (more or less, depending on liquid intake) (Source: The National Kidney and Urologic Disease Information Clearinghouse).

Chronic kidney disease may be slow to develop, while acute kidney disease can develop very quickly and can be very dangerous. Because the kidneys are important to the body, any symptom that could indicate problems should be investigated by a doctor. Acute kidney disease can lead to a rapidly progressing loss of renal function. Symptoms of acute kidney disease can include decreased urinary output, bodily fluid disturbances and electrolyte imbalances. CKD may have no initial symptoms at all.

Additional symptoms of progressing kidney disease include increased urea in the blood, vomiting, diarrhea which can lead to dehydration, weight loss, increased nocturnal urination, foamy or bubbly urine, and increased frequency or increased amounts of urine, typically with very pale color. (Alternately, the symptoms can include decreased frequency and amounts with very dark colored urine.) Blood in the urine, a sense of pressure and difficult urination are also indicative of advanced kidney disease.

As the body’s fluid and electrolyte imbalance becomes even more unbalanced, there will be increasing levels of phosphates in the blood, itching skin, bone damage and muscle cramps as a result of the low levels of calcium in the blood. A buildup of potassium (hyperkalemia) can lead to abnormal heart rhythms and eventual muscle paralysis. Kidney disease may also cause swelling of the legs, ankles, feet, face and hands as well as shortness of breath.

Protein and the Kidneys

When protein is digested in the body, it is first broken down into amino acids which are used to create other amino acids, hormones, and enzymes for a variety of functions and uses. After the protein is completely broken down, it will generate waste products which travel through the digestive tract walls and out into the bloodstream, where they will be filtered and removed by the kidneys.

A healthy kidney has millions of nephrons which work to filter these and other waste products out of the blood stream, however, an unhealthy kidney is not able to filter these wastes which are then allowed to not only build up in the kidney but to back up into the blood stream as well.

Chronic kidney disease is rated by the doctor in stages (I through V) based on the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which is the rate of filtration of the blood through the kidneys. The test rates actual filtration through the glomerulus of the renal capillaries to the fluid in Bowman’s capsule. Bowman’s capsule is the small cup-shaped part of the kidney that removes liquid from the blood and converts it to urine before it is sent to the bladder. The rate of this conversion is typically about 120 mL per minute (Source: The New American Pocket Medical Dictionary).

Using the GFR, the doctor can not only diagnose chronic kidney disease but can diagnose its stage as well. Of course, the stage refers to the severity of the disease. Stages and the scores for the GFR are as follows:

Stage GFR Score

Stage One 90 or above (normal GFR, abnormal amount of protein noted in urine)

Stage Two 60-89

Stage Three 30-59

Stage Four 15-29 (Typically final stage before dialysis becomes necessary)

Stage Five End Stage Renal Disease Below 15, dialysis is necessary, kidney transplant is considered

(Source: Davita.com)

During the first four stages of CKD, as well as with other types of kidney disease, the need to restrict protein intake is important. Excess protein can cause nausea and vomiting, a loss of appetite, weakness, some taste changes and skin itching which may be intense, all because the body cannot handle the waste products created from digesting protein.

Restricting the amount of protein as well as sticking to certain types of protein can reduce a number of these symptoms and allow the kidneys to function better so that the progression of the disease can be slowed. The amount of protein that is typically suggested for stages one through three is only slightly less than in the typical diet (12-15% of daily calories should be protein as opposed to 15-30%). In stage four, however, it is typically further reduced to around ten percent.

The most important aspect for these stages of the disease is control: control of the blood sugar and control of the protein intake. Diabetics must also control their blood sugar as well. Plant based protein, the basis of the vegetarian diet, may slow down some of the progression of chronic kidney disease and can give the body the protein that it needs while lessening some of the waste product which can build up in the system (Source Brookshyer RD, CSR).

In stage five of chronic kidney disease, the kidneys are working at only ten percent of their normal capacity. Instead of filtering about 18 gallons of blood per hour, it may only manage to filter 2. The patient will need to use a machine to filter the blood stream in a process called dialysis. While dialysis does remove the waste products from the bloodstream, it is not as efficient as the kidneys because it also removes the amino acids that the body actually needs. In this stage of the disease, the body must be given additional amounts of protein not only to meet basic needs but to ensure that the lost amino acids are made up for as well. The added protein works to ensure that there is no muscle loss and also works to help the body fight infection.

While increasing the protein intake at this time, the patient will have to watch for the increased levels of phosphorous which are found in a number of common protein food sources, including halibut, nonfat yogurt, salmon, skim milk, chicken breast, oatmeal, and extra lean ground beef. Phosphorous is needed for many of the chemical reactions that occur in the body, including as part of the regulation of energy production in the body. It binds with calcium to help form strong bones and teeth. 85% of the body’s phosphorous is located in the bone. Too much phosphorus coupled with a high protein diet equals a loss of calcium, which in turn equals osteoporosis (Source: Feinstein 1996).

The goal for the diet in stage five is to increase calories and increase protein intake to keep the strength up, to maintain lean muscle mass and to make sure that the immune system is able to continue doing its work. If the body does not have enough protein available, it will turn to the muscles and start breaking them down, which is one of the major reasons why it is important for elite athletes to refuel after an intense workout. To preserve lean muscle mass, the protein intake for stage five may be as high as two grams per kilogram of dry weight (weight minus fluid retention), or double the average intake. About 25% of this protein should be eaten at each meal, and most people will also need protein supplements and snacks to reach this level of intake (Source: Maree 2002).

There are a number of different kinds of protein supplements that you can choose from. Protein powders (whey, soy, rice and egg) supply high quality protein and can be either single protein or a combination of two or more. Protein bars may give a high level of protein but may also have high sugar content, a problem for those who have weakened immune systems. Profect, from Protica, is a liquid protein supplement which has zero sugars or fats but supplies a good amount of high quality protein - 25 grams per serving in a very small size (2.9 fluid ounces).

Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein shots for bariatric surgery patients. You can learn more at Protica Research - Copyright

If you have just been diagnosed with diabetes or you have been told that your child has the condition it can all be a bit confusing. Food and what types they are allowed to eat is probably the main cause of concern for these people. The definition of a diabetic diet is something that you need to understand and that is what you are and are not allowed to eat.

But you should also know that there are more than one kind of diabetes before you even start looking at a diabetic diet definition. Type 1 diabetes or insulin controlled diabetes is the one that most children usually have.

The cause of type one diabetes is the pancreas inability to produce insulin and that means that it has to be injected into the system by the sufferer. The other type of diabetes does not require injections of insulin because the pancreas can still produce insulin but not as well as it once did; this type two diabetes is also called non-insulin dependant diabetes or adult onset diabetes. When it comes to understanding the diabetic diet definition, it is important to know the difference between the two types of diabetes.

The Diabetic Diet Definition. The type of diabetes that you have will determine the diabetic diet that you have to follow. People with Type one diabetes will have to check their blood glucose levels. People with this type will check their levels and then change their diet depending on the results. A person with type 2 diabetes will usually be able to stick to a particular diet that they have been given by their dietician unless any problems occur.

So it is easier for a person with type 2 diabetes to plan what they are going to eat. Those who have stable Type 1 should also be able to plan quite easily as well. So when it comes to creating your diabetic diet, you will have to take into consideration the type of diabetes that you have.

To learn more about diabetic diets follow the link to discover a wealth of information.