1/17. 🔪Let’s slay some protein myths once and for all!
I’ve spent 10 years studying cancer and protein structure & function. The US says I have “exceptional ability” in my field & I’ve been (am!) a protein and process development scientist in biotech firms & startups.
A 🧵👇🏼
I’ve spent 10 years studying cancer and protein structure & function. The US says I have “exceptional ability” in my field & I’ve been (am!) a protein and process development scientist in biotech firms & startups.
A 🧵👇🏼
2/17. 🧱What are proteins? Think of them as building blocks (Lego) your body needs to make tools.
Your body uses 20 pieces of amino acids to build thousands of tools.
Know those pesky IKEA instructions? Your DNA takes the role of providing instructions to make those tools.
Your body uses 20 pieces of amino acids to build thousands of tools.
Know those pesky IKEA instructions? Your DNA takes the role of providing instructions to make those tools.
3/17. Our body makes 11 of these Lego blocks. We need 20. So we need to find 9 from the food we eat.
Foods containing all 9 of these essential amino acids are called “complete sources.”
Any protein you eat will break down to amino acids. You use them to make your own proteins!
Foods containing all 9 of these essential amino acids are called “complete sources.”
Any protein you eat will break down to amino acids. You use them to make your own proteins!
4/17.❓So why are plants misleadingly called an "incomplete" source?
This contributes to the myth that plants don’t have enough protein.
Even though this has been thoroughly discussed by the Professor of Medicine at Stanford, Dr. @GardnerPhD!
Hmm…
This contributes to the myth that plants don’t have enough protein.
Even though this has been thoroughly discussed by the Professor of Medicine at Stanford, Dr. @GardnerPhD!
Hmm…
5/17. Here’s the deal:
Each plant has ALL 20 amino acids - but in different ratios as shown in @GardnerPhD's paper.
The only way to NOT get a balanced dose of all amino acids is to eat ONLY, say, rice and NOTHING else.
Know anyone who only eats rice? Yeah, I didn’t think so.
Each plant has ALL 20 amino acids - but in different ratios as shown in @GardnerPhD's paper.
The only way to NOT get a balanced dose of all amino acids is to eat ONLY, say, rice and NOTHING else.
Know anyone who only eats rice? Yeah, I didn’t think so.
6/17.🤱🏼Time to mention that soy - contrary to popular belief - IS a complete protein.
It also reduces the risk of breast and prostate cancers, and heart disease!
PS: Soy does NOT cause man boobs (gynaecomastia)! Otherwise plastic surgeons would be out of business, lol! 😂
It also reduces the risk of breast and prostate cancers, and heart disease!
PS: Soy does NOT cause man boobs (gynaecomastia)! Otherwise plastic surgeons would be out of business, lol! 😂
7/17. An addiction you didn't know about:
Methionine, an amino acid, is found in lesser amounts in plants.
While essential, there's an interesting relationship between methionine and cancer.
Cancer cells LOVE methionine. They are meth(ionine) addicts (unlike normal cells)!
Methionine, an amino acid, is found in lesser amounts in plants.
While essential, there's an interesting relationship between methionine and cancer.
Cancer cells LOVE methionine. They are meth(ionine) addicts (unlike normal cells)!
8/17. Cancer cells (unlike healthy cells) can’t recycle methionine effectively. So they need a continuous supply of meth…
Fun fact: If you selectively starve cancer cells from methionine, it inhibits their growth!
[I’m not your doctor so this isn’t specific medical advice]
Fun fact: If you selectively starve cancer cells from methionine, it inhibits their growth!
[I’m not your doctor so this isn’t specific medical advice]
9/17. In the lab, we can grow healthy breast cells with or without methionine just fine.
But for cancerous breast cells to grow, we MUST add methionine.
Sounds too good to be true, right? We’ve known this for decades! Just Google it.
But for cancerous breast cells to grow, we MUST add methionine.
Sounds too good to be true, right? We’ve known this for decades! Just Google it.
10/17.✅ Pharma companies have been trying to develop cancer treatments based on reducing methionine.
But guess what else simply lowers the methionine intake (while providing adequate amounts) and therefore reduces cancer risk?
Plants would be the correct answer!
But guess what else simply lowers the methionine intake (while providing adequate amounts) and therefore reduces cancer risk?
Plants would be the correct answer!
11/17. 💯 Oh oh. Methionine is found in abundance in animal products, including lean meat and eggs.
It is found in lower but adequate quantities in plants.
"Methionine restriction is one of only a few dietary manipulations known to robustly extend healthspan in mammals"
It is found in lower but adequate quantities in plants.
"Methionine restriction is one of only a few dietary manipulations known to robustly extend healthspan in mammals"
12/17. But low methionine & reduced risk of cancer are not the only reasons why plants are a great source of protein.
Animal Protein = carcinogenic heme iron, endotoxins, saturated fat, excessive cholesterol, no fiber
Plant Protein = fiber, anti-oxidants, and no cholesterol
Animal Protein = carcinogenic heme iron, endotoxins, saturated fat, excessive cholesterol, no fiber
Plant Protein = fiber, anti-oxidants, and no cholesterol
13/17. Plant proteins have slightly lower bioavailability (ability to be absorbed). That just means that you eat a little more of the good stuff!
Athletes who are fully plant-based notice improved athletic performance b/c of better vascular oxygenation & reduced inflammation.
Athletes who are fully plant-based notice improved athletic performance b/c of better vascular oxygenation & reduced inflammation.
14/17. Gastroenterologist @DrAlanDesmond explains
how fiber & other nutrients from plant sources directly enhance the gut microbiome's health, reduce inflammation/cancer risk, & prevent and reverse diabetes, heart disease and other chronic diseases:
how fiber & other nutrients from plant sources directly enhance the gut microbiome's health, reduce inflammation/cancer risk, & prevent and reverse diabetes, heart disease and other chronic diseases:
https://twitter.com/DrAlanDesmond/status/1569380478850826245?s=20&t=-3icuc9KWbB8GbFm4ZU8dg
15/17. 😎 Chill. You don’t need more protein!
Most Americans have a total protein intake that greatly exceeds their requirement (>2x).
We should all be worried about the high morbidity and mortality associated with animal products instead of the "obsession" with protein.
Most Americans have a total protein intake that greatly exceeds their requirement (>2x).
We should all be worried about the high morbidity and mortality associated with animal products instead of the "obsession" with protein.
16/17. 💔When in doubt, remember that the #1 killer in the US and globally is NOT protein deficiency. It is heart disease.
@cardio10s the past President of the American College of Cardiology: “There are two kinds of cardiologists: vegans and those who haven’t read the data.”
@cardio10s the past President of the American College of Cardiology: “There are two kinds of cardiologists: vegans and those who haven’t read the data.”
17/17. TL:DR. Plants are a great source of high quality protein that comes with many added benefits (compared to animal protein sources)
A fantastic summary on quality of plant proteins by @DrAlanDesmond:
Now you have the info to make the right choice!
A fantastic summary on quality of plant proteins by @DrAlanDesmond:
https://twitter.com/DrAlanDesmond/status/1550201589272612864
Now you have the info to make the right choice!
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