Protein Overload

Last week we touched on starchy carbohydrates. This time we will focus on another essential nutrient, protein. A prevalent condition arising in the population is a disease called "Gout." Its most notable symptom is inflammation in the big toe joint, manifesting as severe pain, redness, local warmth, and swelling.

Apparently, this disease is caused by unbalanced protein consumption and the digestive system's difficulty in handling proteins. Indeed, one of the recommendations for gout patients is to reduce the amount of protein in their daily diet, especially animal protein.

What are proteins? Proteins are compounds built from 22 amino acids. They are found everywhere in the body: in muscles, bones, skin, and every single cell. Therefore, they have a significant role in the diet. Two questions arise in this context: How much protein should we consume? And what are the preferred sources of protein?

Regarding the amount of protein to consume, there are different opinions. One view is that due to the importance of protein, we should consume it abundantly. In contrast, proponents of the more natural approach argue that the digestion of proteins, especially those from animals like cattle, generates many toxic by-products. When consumed in large amounts, the concentration of toxins is high. If the body's waste disposal organs are overloaded, they sometimes struggle to eliminate these wastes, causing accumulation in various tissues and joints, leading to disease processes manifested by pains and sometimes various inflammations. This can cause arthritis and even premature aging. Hence, consumption should not be excessive.

Additionally, regarding the protein sources that are preferable to consume, there are also different views. Some claim that to get enough protein, one should eat protein-rich foods, and naturally the richest food is beef. Proponents of the natural approach counter that the animals we eat are themselves vegetarians, thus arguing that it is not correct to claim that one must eat meat to obtain protein, especially.

In fact, significant amounts of protein can also be found in plant-based foods, which are easier to digest, such as nuts, almonds, various seeds, sweet potatoes, corn, and more. Quality protein can also be obtained from combinations of different foods, such as eating grains with legumes, rice and lentils, and so on. Even those who eat meat should not overindulge.