Nature's Life Pro-96™ NON-GMO Soy Protein Products: |
Pro-96 Soy ProteinsThe Importance of Protein What is protein and why do we need it? Protein is composed of chains of amino acids and constitutes about 20% of our total body weight. It functions as the structural material of muscles, other tissues and organs, as well as important bi-substances such as enzymes and many hormones. Without protein, we could not live. Protein is also converted to glucose and used as a source of energy. When there is limited protein intake, the needs of the organs take priority over the needs of the muscles. While other nutrients are equally important, protein provides a key foundation for good health.
How is Soy Protein Different? The most common food sources of protein and amino acids are animal products. Of the vegetarian sources, soybeans stand out. The protein isolate form of soy has a Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS) as high as egg or milk protein; 1.0, the highest score possible in this U.S. government protein quality rating system. PDCAAS is based on the amino acid requirements for humans, and is the foundation for the determination of the Daily Reference Value of protein (50 grams). Nature’s Life’s Pro-96 protein powders provide almost half (23 grams) of the Daily Reference Value (DRV) of protein in one serving! Super-Green Pro-96™, Phyto-Red Pro-96™ and Berry-Blue Pro-96™ from Nature’s Life® meet or exceed the amino acid requirements for children and adults.1 Included in the full range of essential (which must be ingested) and non-essential (which your body can manufacture) amino acids in Pro-96 soy proteins, are significant amounts of essential branched-chain amino acids (leucine, isoleucine, valine). These are critical for muscle strength. Humans can use soy proteins as effectively as animal protein 2,3 and since soy doesn’t contain unwanted saturated fat and cholesterol (as does most animal protein),4 it is a sensible choice for health-conscious people. Isoflavones : Health Benefits Besides high quality protein, soy also contains phytonutrients (plant source nutrients)—such as isoflavones, phytosterols, saponins and lignans. These phytonutrients play many important roles in supporting good health.5,6,7 Nature’s Life soy proteins are processed with water, never alcohol, which is essential to preserve many of these important components.8 Three isoflavones (genistein, daidzein and glycitein) are found in large amounts only in legumes such as soy.9 They are classified as phytoestrogens (natural plant estrogen) and have antioxidant properties.10 That is, they deactivate damaging free radicals.8,10 Some studies demonstrating the health benefits of soy have used formulas that provide as little as 45 mg of isoflavones11,12 – in one serving of a Pro-96 product, you get a minimum of 70 mg (based on a typical analysis). Plant estrogens compete with estrogens produced in the body or introduced from the environment, and prevent them from binding to estrogen-receptor cells.13,14 The benefit is that the weak soy phytoestrogens are preferentially absorbed and used instead of stronger, potentially damaging, estrogens.15,16 A recent study found that a soy protein supplement with high isoflavone content was effective in helping women going through menopause maintain normal temperature sensation.17 Soy Protein and Your Heart Eating foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol may increase serum cholesterol levels and in turn, increase the risk of heart disease. Nature’s Life’s Pro-96™ soy proteins contain no cholesterol and no saturated fat. An analysis of soy protein isolate at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center indicates that soy protein isolate can help maintain healthy serum cholesterol levels.18 Other studies have reported that replacing animal protein with isolated soy protein helps maintain healthy levels of both LDL (“bad”) and HDL (“good”) cholesterol.19,20,21 Nature’s Life Soy Proteins Since 1970, Nature’s Life has offered high quality and economical soy protein products. The most popular use for Pro-96 Protein Powders is in flavorful blender drinks, but they can also be used to increase the protein content of prepared foods. Add as desired to casseroles, loafs, patties, stews, soups, baked goods, pancakes, waffles, muffins, omelets and sandwich spreads. Call us for recipe ideas for these excellent low-carbohydrate, sugar-free, cholesterol-free, vegetarian proteins.! Juicing fruits and vegetables can be a healthy addition to the diet. One drawback, however, is that fiber is removed during the juicing process, which results in juice higher in natural sugar. Adding one or two tablespoons of Nature’s Life protein products to fresh fruit or vegetable juice can slow the absorption of these natural sugars and help maintain healthy blood sugar levels.22,23 Not every protein powder helps delay sugar absorption, since many brands contain up to 50 percent or more sugars which may adversely affect blood sugar levels.
A Raw Deal Questions linger about the benefits of certain soy constituents. For instance, protease inhibitors are enzymes found in soybeans and other legumes, and can prevent the body from completely digesting proteins. If consumed in large amounts, as in raw beans, they can lead to protein malnutrition. For the most part, protease inhibitors are destroyed by heat and because Nature’s Life soy protein isolate is heat-processed, protease inhibitors do not significantly affect nutrient absorption. Another so-called “anti-nutrient” in soy is phytic acid, a plant fiber which binds to certain minerals and can prevent their absorption. Again, good qualities are being discovered for this soy constituent: phytic acid (also called inositol hexaphosphate or IP6) is an effective scavenger of free radicals.37 For example, when phytic acid binds to excess iron in the body, it prevents the formation of iron oxide, which is one of the more damaging free radicals.38
Antioxidant PhytonutrientsAll Pro-96 proteins start with the same food base of soy protein isolate, lecithin, psyllium seed husk, apple pectin, oat fiber, and the digestive enzymes bromelain (from pineapple) and papain (from papaya). Nature’s Life also adds carotenoids and flavonoids to the Pro-96 protein powders. These phytonutrients are the source of natural food colors (pigments) and have been studied extensively for their value. The more intense the color, the more beneficial the food. Carotenoids have free-radical scavenging properties, as well as offering support to the immune system.24,25,26 Maintaining high levels of carotenoids in the tissue helps to encourage healthy cell membranes. While carotenoids are fat-soluble, flavonoids are water-soluble, and have similar antioxidant properties.27,28,29 Super-Green Pro-96™ adds Kona pure Hawaiian Spirulina algae, with naturally-occurring amino acids, minerals, chlorophyll and carotenoids. In addition, we add lemon bioflavonoids, kelp and barley grass. These additional ingredients provide a highly nutritious combination of protein, fiber, minerals, and phytonutrients like carotenoids. Carotenoids such as lycopene, found primarily in tomatoes, can be found in Phyto-Red Pro-96™. Recent research supports the protective, anti-oxidant properties of lycopene.30,31 In addition to lycopene, Phyto-Red Pro-96™ has other carotenoid- and flavonoid-rich red foods in its Phyto-Red Blend™: raspberries, cherries and red bell pepper. As with carotenoids, some flavonoids have very specific benefits, such as those found in Berry-Blue Pro-96™. Grape, bilberry and blueberry make up the Phyto-Blue Blend™ in Berry-Blue Pro-96™. The flavonoids in these foods are called anthocyanidins (or OPCs), and have been studied for their supportive benefits as antioxidant free-radical scavengers.32,33,34,35,36
References
|
