Remember in the old cartoons how goats ate tin cans and anything else in sight? Goats really can eat things that we can't, and that has everything to do with the protein humans need. (However, I wouldn't recommend feeding them cans.)
Recently I learned that there is a Professor of Nutrition, here in Illinois, who is considered the world’s leading researcher/expert on optimum protein after forty years of study on human nutritional needs.
Dr. Layman has been called the “Godfather of Protein.” He explains succinctly why humans need animal-based protein to build muscle, avoid bone loss, and stay active throughout life into old age.
Dr. Layton says, “One of the cool things that is important for people to understand is that the protein in our muscle turns over, we replace all of them, about every 30 days. So in the course of a year, you’re going to replace your entire body protein at least six times. That’s a pretty crazy idea.” [i]
Cattle, sheep, horses, deer, elk, buffalo, camels and goats are all ruminant animals that have stomachs teeming with helpful microorganisms that take foods that humans can’t eat, such as grass and other plant roughage, and convert it into amino acids, the building blocks of protein. This process, called “upcycling,” takes these non-edible (for humans) substances and makes nutritionally vital food through this natural process. Since these animals eat the parts of plants that we would normally discard, you might say they are both recyclers and upcyclers!
Plants have bacteria at their base that utilize Nitrogen and convert it to “amines” and that are used to make amino acids (protein) for the plant. These particular proteins aren’t adequate for human muscle building and tissue repair. When the ruminant animals eat the plants, their metabolic process converts the plant bacteria into the full spectrum of amino acids needed for the animal, but also for humans since we are also mammals (defined as milk-producing.)
It turns out that cattle, goats, and sheep are like vending machines for protein. 60 grams of the plant-based protein and nitrogen that ruminant-animals eat is converted to an impressive 100% of protein, according to Dr. Layman. That is upcycling!
You can see why there were hundreds of thousands of these animals roaming the grasslands of countries like the US and Africa. It is estimated that there were 30-75 million buffalo in the US.
In 1806, Lewis and Clark wrote that the moving multitudes “darkened the whole plain” as they trekked across the American Western states. [ii]
Surprisingly, Dr. Layman has found that people need more essential protein, as they age, not less. He doesn’t consider 1.5-2 grams of protein per pound of body weight as high, and suggests that lean muscle, healthy weight, bone density, and an active lifestyle may depend on protein-rich food plans. He also recommends five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day, as well as unrefined fats such as butter, olive oil, yogurt, and organic dairy.
To fully utilize the animal protein for metabolism and lean muscle, he found that the protein must be divided between three meals, instead of the usual distribution of lower protein during the day and the heaviest protein at night. It is also vital to have the amino acid leucine available for the best use of the protein. Eggs, ricotta and cottage cheeses, Salmon, beef, chicken, lentils, yogurt, kefir, Navy beans, pumpkin seeds, and Sesame seeds are all sources of leucine.
So, if you are struggling with your weight, or want to build muscle or bone, these are some excellent guidelines. I would add that you may need supplements with Hydrochloric Acid (Zypan or Betaine HCL, and Digestive Enzymes (Enzycore or Multizyme) or herbal digestive support (Digest Forte) if you are increasing your protein. As long as you can fully digest the protein and break it down to the Essential amino acids, there should be no liability and only benefits, according to the world’s leading researcher on human protein needs.
One of the easiest ways to increase your protein is to include Standard Process Complete Nutritional powder. Two scoops contain almost 25 grams of protein, making it one of the highest quality protein powders you can buy, and it also contains many other whole foods and vital nutrients. It comes in Chocolate, Vanilla, or plain flavors, and there is also a Dairy-free version available with almost 28 grams of protein.
Standard Process also makes Protefood, which is a whole food complete protein supplement in a capsule that can help meet your protein needs without adding more food.
Try increasing your protein intake at breakfast and lunch and let me know if you see a difference in energy or weight. If you shift away from high protein at night, you may notice less sweet cravings and better sleep.
I can’t wait to hear how it goes.
[i] https://urbanwellnessclinic.com/how-much-protein-do-you-need/
[ii] https://www.legendsofamerica.com/we-buffalo/