Protein and Chronic Diseases

Protein has been closely associated with weight loss because many people go by the theory that it can be a good replacement for carbohydrates without worrying about conversions into fat. With the hype about high-protein diets, a range of protein supplements from bars, powders and shakes are a popular options. The trend continues in conjunction with studies about protein's effect on chronic diseases. Protein has indeed gone a long way from being the building block of cells. Many studies have shown that it can do so much more than build and repair the body tissues. In fact, it has been proven to affect blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood glucose levels and the growth of cancer cells.

Protein and Cardiovascular Disease

A Scottish study showed that middle-aged men who consumed 80 milligrams of isoflavones and 20 grams of soy protein for five weeks had lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. In Scotland, coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death because smoking, poverty and poor diet are amongst it's major public issues. Sixty-one men from the Isles of Lewis and Harris were used as subjects in the study. With ages ranging from 45 to 59, they all had high cholesterol levels and blood pressure. To determine if soy protein can affect their risks of having a cardiovascular disease, they were divided into two groups.

One group was put on a soy diet, while the other group was given a placebo with olive oil. Members of the first group showed changes in their blood pressure's diastolic and systolic readings. They also had decreases in their cholesterol levels. The group who took olive oil was reported to have had increases in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Protein and Diabetes

Studies made by the American Associations of Clinical Endocrinologists revealed that protein can be the crucial component in a diabetic's diet. According to the AACE, 10 to 20 percent of calorie intake should be made up of proteins because these do not increase the glucose levels in the blood. Aside from this, protein also helps in lessening the risk of developing complications due to diabetes. It also contributes to the body's insulin effectiveness and metabolic control.

Proteins such as whey and casein are highly recommended for diabetics because these help in providing a controlled release of essential amino acids in the body's blood stream. This helps in lessening the need for medication in controlling blood sugar and in increasing the energy used from each meal.

Protein and Cancer

According to US researchers, protein causes self-destruction of over 70 percent of cancer cells. Researchers have observed that the creation of Cox-2, the enzyme which helps in the growth of cancer cells, was greatly affected by proteins. When the messenger RNA for Cox-2 enzyme was attached to proteins, the cancer cells found it impossible to produce their own Cox-2, which is essential to their survival.

Now that more studies on the health benefits of protein are being carried out, it will not take long before man can discover healthy alternatives to supplying their bodies' daily protein needs -- without worrying so much about the trade-offs between protein intake and health complications.