How Much Protein Is Enough?

These days we keep hearing about different types of protein supplements, protein shakes, protein bars, you name it – the industry is selling it! With all of this constant focus on protein, we begin to wonder how much protein is enough? What is the percentage, the recommended daily intake of protein for the average human being? Surprisingly, it’s much lower than the marketing industry would have you believe!

First of all, it is important to note that protein is what our body is made up of. It is a type of molecule used to make up your body. It is only natural then that the highest source of protein would be our fellow humans. Of course no sane doctor is going to recommend you start eating humans, so they started recommending you eat animals – the next best thing. However, there’s something wrong with the whole idea of eating protein to get protein into our bodies. You see, proteins to do make proteins in our body, we actually use amino acids to build protein. Without amino acids the protein in your body cannot be built and getting already built protein from eating animals is not going to be enough to build a strong body.

Having said all of that, there is a link between eating protein and the level of health of your body. However, it is not like you might imagine it to be. Studies have shown that eating a high animal-based protein diet (this includes milk, cheese, butter and other animal derivatives) leads to heart disease, cancer and other diseases like arthritis, asthma and diabetes. Well doesn’t that go hand in hand with the fact that we don’t need to eat already created protein? That’s right! By eating fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds you will get some already constructed protein along with all of the amino acids required to build the protein you will need for your cells. But on top of that, you will also lower your risk of heart attacks, breast and colon cancers, asthma, diabetes and other degenerative diseases that are often thought to be incurable.

Alright, so if animal protein is so bad for you, then why doesn’t everyone stop eating meat? The answer lies in a few different categories: 1) Over 50 years ago, some scientists proclaimed that eating 30% of your diet as animal protein was required. This was based on the amount of protein the rich and wealthy consumed. It was only later on that the diseases of the rich started to plague everyone – heart conditions, cancers and breathing problems. 2) Eating meat is considered to be a manly thing to do. You see it everywhere on television and in commercials, manly men who shout, make gorilla chest pounding movements and eat big slabs of meat. Because meat is so socially accepted and vegetarians and vegans are often scoffed at, the protein myth is perpetuated further.

So the next time you go for a protein shake, a protein bar, a glass of milk or a big slab of animal meat – consider this: the Chinese people eat only on average 6-10% of their daily diet as protein and usually only plant based protein. They also have a lot less heart conditions, incidences of cancer and they live longer than most Americans. If you want to find out more about the protein myth and where the information from this essay comes from, read the book “The China Study” by Colin Campbell, PhD.