The Versatility of Actinase Protein Complex

The ingredients list found on the back or side panel of every commercially available food product - with few exceptions - serves as the consumer's best starting point for understanding the real contents of each product. It discloses the ingredients that make up the product, sorted in order from most abundant to least abundant. What it does not show is the actual quantity of each ingredient. As such, more people than ever before are reading the Nutrition Facts panel on product labels to truly understand what is in their food[i].

However, where one problem has been solved, another has emerged. While it is beneficial for people to know that their food contains a specific amount of nutrients and/or vitamins, there are variations within those elements that are not captured by a typical food label. This is illustrated clearly when examining protein.

Many consumers are well aware of the importance of protein in daily diet. Protein constitutes the very building blocks that sustain life, from digestion through to muscle maintenance[ii]. However, eating the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) of 50 grams of protein may not be as healthy as it should be, due to the differences in protein sources and protein qualities.

The variation of protein used in products is almost as wide as the variation of products themselves. Manufacturers may use whey, soy, caseinate and other protein types to fortify their products with protein. And within each of these protein types are further refinements called 'protein grades' such as whey concentrate, whey isolate, whey hydrolysate, and so on. Though the specific type and grade of protein used in a product is not captured on the Nutrition Facts or Supplement Facts panel of a product, it is an important distinction.

The type and grade of protein determines how well the body will digest and assimilate it. Certain proteins such as whey isolate are readily digested after physical activities. Other proteins such as caseinates are ideal for sustained energy and anti-catabolism, and therefore best taken when there will be a long lapse before the next meal (catabolism is the state in which the body breaks down muscle tissue for energy).

One special grade of proteins - hydrolyzed proteins - is used in a very small percentage of products because of its high cost to manufacture. It is most often found in infant formula because it is very gentle on the stomach; it is easy to digest and assimilate. Hydrolyzed proteins are derived from complete proteins oftentimes through an enzymatic process of breaking down the protein into smaller constituents called peptides. The process divides the long protein molecules into shorter molecules called peptides. Generally, the smaller the peptide (measured in Daltons), the easier the protein is to digest and absorb.

Hydrolyzed proteins also owe their popularity to the fact that, as compared to standard proteins, they are less susceptible to denaturing (a process by which the proteins are broken into structures that the body cannot easily digest).

Since hydrolyzed protein is an excellent, natural formula of protein, it stands to reason that consumers would continually look for products using it. However, this is where the challenge occurs. The Nutrition Facts panel on product labels does not reveal the grade or even the type of protein used. To find this information, the consumer needs to turn back to the ingredient list. The FDA requires all food products to disclose the source of all proteins (eg. whey, soy, egg), but not the grade (eg. concentrate, isolate, hydrolysate).

Since all proteins are not the same, manufacturers employ various methods for incorporating them into products. Proteins such as caseinate and soy are alkaline-based and can only be used with 'milky' flavors such as chocolate and vanilla. Another drawback to casienates and soy is their high viscosity (thickness). This limits the amount of caseinate or soy that can be used in a beverage. Whey is an acid-based protein and is less viscous. Whey can be used with fruity flavors because of its compatibility with acidulants such as citric acid and malic acid. A challenge with all of these proteins is their heat instability ? when they are heated, the proteins denature (break apart). Denatured proteins are difficult to digest and difficult to metabolize. Most proteins on the market fall into this category.

However, an innovative hydrolyzed protein blend called Actinase® could be changing all of this for the better. Because of its molecular structure, Actinase is very dense. Forty grams of Actinase can be dispersed in less than three fluid ounces of water, with a viscosity no thicker than tomato juice. Any other protein at this concentration would become a sold mass. In other words, Actinase allows manufacturers to add more protein to their product without adding the thickness (or, viscosity) normally associated with protein fortification. Actinase is also very heat stable, so it has many applications that transcend the obvious sports drink market.

Yet Actinase's appeal goes beyond its heat-resistance and low viscosity. It is all natural, hypoallergenic, both acid and alkaline stable, and complete (i.e. Actinase contains all essential amino acids). Through a natural physiological mechanism called thermogenesis, Actinase also stimulates the body's metabolism and caloric burn rate. This is very good news for individuals on a weigh-loss or weight-maintenance program, since an increased caloric burn rate reduces the intensity and frequency of fat-storing insulin surges. It is also good news for consumers who want to ingest a good source of protein, but not necessarily taste it, since Actinase has a neutral taste and aroma.

Only a few years ago, learning about protein was confined to simply reading a food label to ensure that the Recommended Daily Intake was being met. Today, however, the subject has become more complex, especially with respect to protein. Consumers now understand that it is not enough to simply understand how much protein is in their food. They should be aware of the source and quality of the protein, as well.

ABOUT PROTICA

Founded in 2001, Protica, Inc. is a nutritional research firm with offices in Lafayette Hill and Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Protica manufactures capsulized foods, including Profect, a compact, hypoallergenic, ready-to-drink protein beverage containing zero carbohydrates and zero fat. Information on Protica is available at http://www.protica.com

You can also learn about Profect at http://www.profect.com

REFERENCES

[i] Source: "Understanding Labels". Supermarketguru.com. http://www.supermarketguru.com/page.cfm/261

[ii] Source: "The Importance of Protein". Ohiohealth.com http://www.ohiohealth.com/facilities/mcconnell/weightmanage/details/protein.htm

Copyright - Protica Research - http://www.protica.com

---

Policosinol and Cholesterol Reduction

The word cholesterol has become synonymous with poor health. Indeed,... Read More

Use Food and Focus to Gain Tons of Energy for Summer

While there are many effective ways to get more energy... Read More

The Most Effective Treatments for Acid Reflux Disease

Acid reflux disease, or GERD, is a common compliant of... Read More

Brown Sugar is Not Brown Rice

Question from Jack:A question from Jack, one of the subscribers... Read More

Omega 3 Fat is Good for Your Heart and for Your Brain

Scandinavian fishermen are a healthy bunch. It had long been... Read More

Good Fats Prevent Chronic Disease

Essential fatty acids are the number one recommendation for anyone... Read More

Unhealthy Foods: Five Sneaky Foods Revealed

With the array of different diets and diet foods available... Read More

The Top 10 Ways to Improve Your Diet, Your Health & Your Life!

Because I believe diet and exercise are so important, I'm... Read More

Dietary Sources of Vitamins and Minerals

Whenever possible, we should try to get our antioxidants and... Read More

Fruits for Summer: Summer Skin Care

Summer is the time when we sweat highly and beating... Read More

Boost Your Immune System

The Immune System is probably the most important system in... Read More

How Can Fat Be Essential?

How Can... Read More

Understanding Cholesterol Levels and Decrease the Risk of Heart Attacks and Strokes

What is Cholesterol?Before we go into how to reduce your... Read More

Ginger 4 Spleen - A Love Story!

For all I prefer to buy my fresh produce at... Read More

Is It Possible To Follow a Strict Diet Program and Still Have A Normal Lifestyle?

Following a diet program of any sort can sometimes be... Read More

Soytastic ? The Health Benefits of Soy

It is often taken as a given fact that soy... Read More

Alcohol as a Key Ingredient to a Healthy Diet

Evidence suggesting that alcohol is "cardio-protective" first appeared in the... Read More

Why You Should Eat Healthier

Every where you look you see articles or news or... Read More

The Meat You Eat: How Corporate Farming Has Endangered Americas Food Supply

Factory FarmingThe big names in American agriculture would like you... Read More

Food for Potential Energy

FOOD (Macro-nutrients)One of the most important aspects of hill walking... Read More

Vegetarian Lifestyle

Being vegetarian is one of the greatest things in the... Read More

Avocado - Ooh, What a Lovely Pear!

Many people avoid avocados thinking them to be fattening, but... Read More

Let Your Freezer Be Your Ally!

Most recipes end with instructions to "serve immediately." You could... Read More

Using Calcium and Magnesium for Constipation

Calcium helps reduce constipationUsing calcium and magnesium in the right... Read More

Calcium Absorption and Information

Ionized minerals, colloidal minerals, chelated minerals . . . What... Read More

Food Labels: Fact or Fiction?

How often do you pick up items at the grocery... Read More

The Two Faces of Chlorine

If you are like most people, you don't enjoy the... Read More

What You Eat Can Protect Your Skin from the Sun

(ARA) - By now you probably think you've heard all... Read More

What Actually Is Health?

Nature works mostly on the principle of thing and no... Read More

Are You Lactose Intolerant?

Do you know anyone who can't consume milk or milk-based... Read More

Personal Wellness Program

Having a personal wellness program has become a concern for... Read More

What on Earth is an Enzyme?

Enzymes are the workers in our body that make everything... Read More

How Does Glucosamine Chondroitin Help Your Body?

Glucosamine is readily produced in the human body and is... Read More