Confused about Protein?  Dawn Does Aminos!

Protein: The Essential Foundation of Life

Dr. Sears says "Every Zone meal begins with Protein"

 I come from a simple background.   As a family group, appreciated the basics.  Reading good books, hard work, and a clear conscience, holding to your word, a handshake was a legal bond. All these basics were daily values that were discussed, sometimes heatedly, but nonetheless known, adhered to and applied with fervor. When it comes to nutrition, I take the same approach to the basics.  

 One of the fundamental basics in nutrition is protein. Protein, in my warped sense of thinking, should have been what Hemingway was thinking of as his theme in one of my favorite novels. In his epic tale, it is not until the last page that we discover the reasoning of the book’s title. It was an answer to a profound question,” Ask not for whom the bell tolls. It tolls for thee” The bell is rung for the funeral procession to the grave, and an honorarium for the life foreshortened, because of the madness of war. In the madness of the war on wellness, protein is the unsung epic hero.  The dinner bell should ring in celebration of the cells to be nourished.  For protein is found in every cell of the body. Perhaps life would be lengthened, and enjoyed more if protein were a daily dietary focus.  Protein is the very essence of life.  From protein we derive the nutrients for all that make us think, feel, move, and make us attractive. We are what we eat, after all.  Sadly, we are not… what we do not eat.  Let us not neglect the basics of nutrition. In other words, every cell of our bodies contains protein. If we do not consume enough protein, the muscles become catabolic (we rob the muscle of protein to pay the protein price of other bodily functions.)  Yuk, feeding on ourselves, isn’t there a law against such a thing? My mistake, that’s cannibalism. But if more people understood nutrition, the difference is really miniscule. If more Americans knew how to properly choose proteins, and balance proteins properly with carbohydrates, and fats we all would become epic heroes.  We would revolutionize modern day capitalism. For instance, the medical and beauty industry would not have to manufacture as many products. From protein intake, our nails would be strong and thick.  Our hair would grow fast, and with good fat intake, our hair would shine on its own.  Our energy, and clear headedness would stagger our employers. Pharmacies, nail salons would suffer from lack of demand. Now I am starting to become politically incorrect, I realize, but neither was Hemingway.  Therefore we must ask and answer the hard questions. 

A little background, and I promise to get us out of a Hemingway induced depression.  Dietary proteins are broken down into amino acids.  There are 20 amino acids that our DNA uses to make the various proteins that we find in our bodies.  Of these 9 are considered essential and we must eat them in our diet.  We are able to make the other 11 if there is overall adequate protein intake.  But we must choose well in order for our bodies to manufacture the amino acids that we do not ingest. Those are, if we listen to the right dinner bell, and answer its call. (If we eat well).  In our society quality proteins are readily available.  Grocery stores and fast food restaurants make sure we can choose quickly and easily. Unfortunately, many of these easy choices are fat laden.   Take a drive down San Pedro near the mall, and you know what I mean.  In fact, the day a new Krispy Krème opens, the police send “extras” to assist in traffic flow.  These are not essential amino acids.  Sorry, I have diverged from the path of background information.  Ah yes, the hard question was protein, the unsung hero. 

The path of protein consumption is lined with many options.  Poultry, cheese, low fat milk, eggs, fish and soy are all good sources of protein. Every meal should have at least 3-4 ounces of such good choices. In order to build muscle, burn fat, and keep the brain functioning well, protein protein, protein.  Your protein needs are based on your lean muscle mass, and then adjusted by the amount of exercise activity.  It is instinctive that after a child goes out to play, most mothers pour their children a glass of milk, or possibly offer a slice of cheese. We know we need to give the body the right ingredients to repair the body. Protein is needed for the maintenance of almost every cell in the body, and it is extremely important to ensure adequate intakes of protein, as well as proper utilization (digestion) of protein. The proper use of protein is in part responsible in balancing of the gut terrain. Another utilization of protein is not well known, but most of us consider it very important, the ability to manage certain stresses. But, gut terrain, and stress management are future articles. (We have other bells to ring today). A useful concept is the Biologic Value of Protein or whether or not the protein is a Complete Protein.  This refers to whether the nitrogen in them is efficiently used by the body for anabolic purposes and whether or not the protein contains all the essential amino acids.   In general High Biologic Value proteins are also Complete Proteins.  Here is a chart of the Biologic Value of Various Proteins. Animal sources in general are preferred proteins.  A vegetarian must have quite a varied diet to get all the essential amino acids and in general must also eat more protein to do so.

 Beans and grains also have proteins, but as you can see they are of low biologic value and incomplete.  Don’t get me wrong however; beans have great fiber content.  We cannot rely on beans alone for a protein source.  Soy is a bean all in its own category, but the best soy protein comes from the isolates which do not contain the estrogenic molecules.  Soybeans are a complete plant protein.  Edemame, mommy?

 To summise, I’d like to quote one of my favorite ancient Chinese proverbs,” He who takes medicine, and neglects diet, wastes the physician’s skills” Listen to your physician.  Take his medicine.  Be conscientious though.     Remember that there is not a pill for every ill, if your diet is lacking.  Your food is medicine too.  So, eat.  Be satisfied.  Choose well. “To thine own self be true” ‘Got protein? Sorry, went on a cliché roll there for a minute. At least we are out of our Hemingway funk.  The unsung hero, protein. 

 Remember the basics of nutrition, protein. Every cell in your body is counting on you and your brain, and your listening skills.  Listen to your body. Listen to the dinner bell.  Ask the question, “For whom does the bell toll?” Answer that bell, “It tolls for me, and my muscles!’  Fish or fowl anyone?  Ding ding. Take charge, choose with integrity, and don’t waste the physician’s skills.  Be responsible with one of the basics of life… protein.

 Dawn Blem

Certified Nutritional Consultant

Amanda's Corner:  Check out Dr. Christian!!

Further evidence that you can get a lot stronger without getting bigger!!  Dr. Christian covers this topic in his SuperSlow® "Why" Seminar.  These strength changes are primarily due to Neuromuscular adaptations which include improved cooperation between the large muscle groups and individual fibers as well as metabolic adaptations which make the muscle more efficient at producing ATP, the molecule used during the production of force by the muscles.

Dr. Christian started at 180lbs on the Leg Press Machine in November when the machines arrived.  His routine involves only working out once a week and he sometimes takes a 10-14 day break, always coming back stronger.

Last week he became the first to Leg Press over 400Lbs,  exactly 410lbs for 2min 54 sec.  Since November his s Weight has remained stable at 160lbs and he lost 1.5% body fat for a body fat % of 14.3%.  He gained a little muscle in the arms and torso but the legs were essentially the same!!  Except of course STRONGER!!

PS:  This past weekend he upped the weight to 430lbs for 2min 34 sec!!   His goal is 500lbs by the end of September.

Nancy's Marketing Update:  More TV!!

 

 

On 21 July 2004, Monica Navarro, Anchorwoman of Univision 41 and Hispanic Media Person of the Year 2003, did a segment concerning our SuperSlow® featuring Alexandro Garcia, Frank Garcia, Rosa Gonzales, Amanda Antonini and Dr. Christian!! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rosa Gonzales & Monica Navarro

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On 6 August we were featured on the KSAT12 News Show anchored by Ursula Pari.    The story featured Jane O'Neill and Christina Truax.

 

 

 

 

 

Nancy Goes to Jail for Good!!

 

 

Nancy's Friends donated over $300.00 to bail her out!!

Thanks, Nancy for being such a good sport!!  I heard she gave out some brochures to that policeman and those tough looking guards!!

 

Dana's SuperSlow® Technique Corner: The SuperSlow® Chest Press

The super slow chest press may look simple, but the anatomical movements when doing the chest press are compound. This means there are multiple muscles exercised during the chest press. The primary muscles  are the pectoralis major and minor and the anterior deltoids. The secondary muscles being used are the triceps and the entire abdominal musculature.  Some even call this machine the SuperSlow Anterior Torso Group Machine. The movement begins as a chest-press movement that immediately goes inferiorly into a decline press and finishes in a conventional dip.

When starting the chest press, remember to buckle yourself in securely, I wouldn’t want you to fall out seeing as how you’re sitting so far from the ground!  Push on the handlebars right at the curve of the bars with your thumbs on top but don't grip hard, merely push with the base of the palms.  Some of you will want to use the foam pads to relieve some of the pain on the palms.  Remember to keep your head at a neutral angle. This means that your head should be a fists distance from your chest and do not turn your head to the left or the right when exercising.

When you begin the movement, and push the handlebars down slowly, concentrate on a hard contraction (squeeze) your chest muscles as you near the upper turnaround. When returning to the lower turnaround try not to let your shoulders move upward as this takes tension off the chest muscles. On the upper turnaround of the third repetition, squeeze your abs as you contract your chest muscles as hard as you dare for three seconds. As you squeeze your abs  do a pelvic tilt by pushing your thighs against the security strap that is across your thighs. This will help you get a better contraction in your abs and chest muscles. As with every super slow exercise, don’t forget to go slow and breathe!

This machine can also be used as pure abdominal by keeping the arms locked as the torso flexes.  In addition, the machine can be used as  a pure shoulder girdle depression exercise by keeping the arms locked and the torso stationary.

Ken Hutchins has a detailed description of this machine and others one his web site HERE.                                                          

 

Ashley on Intense Pulsed Light Skin Photorejuvenation

We all hate the aging process; all those brown spots, or maybe even those little red lines on your cheeks.  These things start to pop up with age, and of course for a lot of us from lifestyle choices such as too much sun exposure.  Let me introduce  Intense Pulsed Light (IPL).  IPL Skin Photorejuvenation, as seen on the T.V show “Extreme Makeover”, is a non-invasive skin treatment that works to treat and correct a variety of skin conditions, such as freckles, Rosacea, wrinkles, broken capillaries, dark spots, blotchy skin color, redness of the face and neck, enlarged pore size and uneven pigmentation.  All of these skin conditions can be corrected with little or no “downtime” and with very minimal discomfort.  The light is absorbed by any pigmented lesion, brown, black, blue or red, and converted to heat which destroys the cells which make up the lesion.  These damaged cells are then absorbed by the body or flake off.

 

The number of treatments depends on an individual’s skin condition and the severity of the problem. Clients with a lot of "target" will require more treatments for satisfactory resolution.  Deeper lesions, seen only on the UV Camera analysis will either be absorbed in the deeper layers or may surface to flake off after subsequent treatments.  A series of six treatment sessions every 2-3 weeks is the usual protocol.  Some skin conditions may have to be followed by a maintenance package to get optimal results.  Call or come by for your free consultation to get you started on your “Extreme Makeover”.

 

The Face is Covered with a layer of Very Cold Gel, the eyes are protected from the light  and the IPL Settings are made. The Initial settings and the first treatment are generally on the low side until we have a better feeling of how your skin will respond.

Some Test Pulses are given as the IPL device flashes the skin.    There is mild discomfort as if a rubber band had been popped against the skin.  We look to achieve a slightly red appearance from the test pulses, if there is no redness we increase the settings a little.  At the end of the procedure, the face should have a slight windburned feeling with some redness.  Pigmented lesions will seem a little darker and some of them will flake off after 4-5 days. The face should be protected with a good sunscreen throughout the period of the treatment package.

 

Complications are rare and might include bruising and possibly a blister if the settings are too high.

 

Please review our PowerPoint Presentation to see the kinds of lesions we treat and some post procedure results.

 

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Dr. Christian

Amanda Antonini

Nancy Flater

Dawn Blem

Dana Carter-Boyd

Ashley Kuhn

Rosa Gonzales

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