The Official Aminogen Blog

It All Adds Up

While we're talking about improving our fitness and nutrition choices this year... I came across an article in the LA Times that reminds us what a difference even small changes can make in our health.

The newspaper reports that drinking one soda every day for a year could result in gaining 10 pounds of fat.

But if simple daily habits, like having a soda with lunch, can make such a big difference over time, then the reverse is also true.

The Pennington Biomedical Research Center reports that eating just 100 fewer calories each day can help curb unintended weight gain.  They've put together a great list of foods and snacks to help you identify and eliminate those extra 100 calories from your diet.

And how about a healthy drink alternative? Whey protein shakes can be delicious, deliver nutrients you need, and keep you feeling fuller longer.

Plus, maintaining healthy protein intake (especially when dieting!) helps to promote the RIGHT KIND of weight loss.  If you haven't already read this post on the importance of protein intake when cutting calories, take a minute to check it out.

So let me know, what will you be adding or cutting back on this year?

Enzymes Not Included: Why Adding Aminogen Makes Sense

Of course, always consult with your physician before taking a supplement or changing your supplement use. 

That being said, let's get back to the question posed in my last post: why add Aminogen? After all, there are enzymes in the foods we eat, and our bodies produce their own enzymes too.

Enzymes in Food

As the article in Scientific American points out, while there are enzymes in food, these are destroyed during cooking.  And when we eat foods in their raw form, our own stomach acid can destroy them anyway. 

You see, enzymes are all very different, and quite particular about what kind of environment they will survive and function in.  They require a specific pH (amount of acidity) in order to work. The stomach is quite acidic and therefore many of the enzymes we ingest are destroyed and inactivated here.

Endogenous Enzymes

These are released by the stomach and pancreas in response to the food that we eat. They are created by our bodies for the purpose of digestion. But these have their limits as well.

First, there are genetic differences in enzyme production.  This is why, for example, some people cannot digest dairy foods and are considered to be lactose intolerant.  Their body simply does not produce the enzyme needed to break down the lactose sugar in milk.

Second, our bodies may not always release enough enzymes for the amount of food we eat.  In the case of a high-protein drink, which would have a gastrointestinal transit time of around 1.5 hours, the body may not have enough time to produce and churn out enough enzymes to break down all of that protein before it slips further down the digestive tract, where it is no longer absorbed.

Athletes and dieters should pay particular attention to this fact because they spend money on supplemental protein. Protein has been shown to be important for satiety, weight loss, improved body composition and muscle mass, but how can taking in more protein benefit you if your body does not absorb it?

Third, our production of digestive enzymes diminishes with age. Food that is not digested properly can cause symptoms like gas, bloating and constipation because they have not been absorbed properly.  This is not only uncomfortable, but it means missing out on nutrients.  And older adults need adequate protein to maintain muscle strength, immune health and more.

Adding Aminogen

So we've established why the enzymes in food and even those produced by our own body may not be sufficient for optimal digestion.

What does adding Aminogen do?

Aminogen is a patented enzyme specifically formulated for protein digestion.  It works in the digestive tract's range of pH's, so it will not be destroyed or deactivated in the stomach or small intestine.

It's been proven in a published clinical study to triple the rate of protein absorption  - take note athletes and dieters- so adding it to high-protein foods and beverages means that extra protein is not wasted.  What's more, it was proven in the same study to increase levels of amino acids absorbed from protein by 100 percent and branched-chain amino acids (important for building muscle) by 250 percent.

I often hear from people who take Aminogen that protein digestion becomes much more comfortable, too, without the gas or bloating that signals incomplete digestion.

So if if you've ever:

Experienced symptoms of incomplete protein digestion,

Spent money on supplemental protein and want to make sure you absorb the amino acids you are paying for,

Or are concerned about getting adequate protein nutrition...

I'd say adding Aminogen makes a whole lot of sense.

Protein RoundUp

 
Mark your calendars, protein fans… it’s May!  The flowers are blooming, the birds are chirping. And it’s that special time of year again, National Egg Nutrition Month.  Eggs are an excellent source of protein, and supply important nutrients like vitamin B12, choline and lutein.

Eggs do contain dietary cholesterol, so incorporating eggs into your diet is something you need to discuss with your physician.  Generally though, many experts are comfortable with an egg-a-day guideline for healthy individuals.  Interestingly, I did come across another recent review that investigated the question of egg consumption and cardiovascular disease that is worth taking a look at. 

 

 For something a little lighter, the American Egg Board has a great website with more egg facts, games, and an egg that tells the future.

 

 But wait... that's not all, folks! May is also National Beef Month - not to be confused with National Beef Steak Month - that’s June.

 

 According to USDA data, a 3 oz serving of lean beef accounts for only 10% of the calories in a 2,000 calorie diet, and yet it provides more than 10% of the Daily Value for zinc, iron, selenium, niacin, riboflavin and vitamins B6 and B12.

 

 The Continuing Survey of Food Intake by Individuals reports that 38% of individuals do not get the Recommended Daily Allowance for zinc, 32% do not get enough iron and vitamin B6. Lean beef is a good source of protein, iron and zinc.  Check out the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association for more information on beef nutrition. By the way, May is also National Barbecue Month. Coincidence?  I think not.

 

 

Speaking of not-coincidences, May is also National Osteoporosis Prevention Month. Usually when we think about osteoporosis we think about calcium.  Eggs can actually help us out in that department, as they are one of the only foods that naturally contain vitamin D.  We all know vitamin D is essential for absorbing calcium. 

 

 But other than that, what does all this protein have to do with National Osteoporosis Prevention Month, you ask?  … or I ask for you?  Well, it seems that loss of lean muscle mass, known as sarcopenia, is closely associated with osteoporosis.  In one study, in fact, researchers found that half of the women who had osteoporosis also had sarcopenia.  While scientists are still investigating the exact relationship between the two conditions, loss of muscle mass appears to precede loss of bone mass.  Studies have also shown that weak muscles and inadequate muscle mass increase the risk of falling, leading to injuries like hip fractures in older adults.

 

 So order an omelet, grill up a luscious cut of lean beef, pump up your protein powder, and celebrate May. Because this month it’s all about protein.  …Unless, of course, you plan on celebrating National Asparagus Month, and sadly I could not find a website for that.

 

Are You Digesting all of the Protein You Eat? Why Timing is Crucial When It Comes to Protein Digestion

There is eating protein.

And then there is digesting it.
 

Anyone who has ever had a high protein meal or protein shake and later felt uncomfortable side effects like gas, bloating or constipation knows the difference.  This happens because undigested protein ferments in the lower intestine and causes those unpleasant symptoms.

Of course, undigested protein does not always cause symptoms. Research suggests that protein absorption is limited by several factors. And symptoms or not, undigested protein means that amino acids and other important nutrients are being wasted.  If you are spending money on quality protein, undigested protein is a waste of money too.

Why Does Some Protein Go Undigested?

We usually think of timing in terms of when to take protein, but the time it takes your body to move that protein through your gastrointestinal tract and digest it is important too. This is called gastrointestinal transit time (GTT).

All absorption of nutrients takes place in the upper gastrointestinal tract (GI).

Amino acids will be absorbed from your protein while it remains in the upper GI.  But propelled by the smooth muscle contraction of digestion, protein will continue to move further down your digestive tract whether you have absorbed all of its nutrients or not.

Protein that is not broken down and absorbed in time will end up in the lower gastrointestinal tract.  It will no longer be absorbed, but will ferment and be eliminated. 

Gastrointestinal Transit Time

GTT is a measure of how long it takes your food to reach the lower gastrointestinal tract. It has a lot to do with exactly how much of the protein you eat gets absorbed, and how much does not.

Your body has limited time to draw nutrients from the protein you eat as the protein makes its way through your digestive tract.  The amount of time your body has before the protein moves too low in the gastrointestinal tract for absorption is critical.

For decades, scientists have been investigating exactly how nutrients are absorbed during digestion.

A 1968 Duke University study examined GTT using barium.* There were 315 people in this study, ages 19 to 80 years. They ingested 16 oz of barium and then underwent an upper gastrointestinal tract exam.

Gastrointestinal Transit Time was measured from the time the subject finished drinking the barium to the time it reached their lower gastrointestinal tract (where absorption ends and fermentation begins).

*If any of you have ever had an upper GI, as I have, you will know that barium is about the same consistency, maybe a little thicker, than the average protein powder mixed with water or milk.

From this study, researchers concluded that the average upper GI transit time is 1.5 hours. 

No significant GTT differences were found between males and females or older and younger subjects.

Protein Absorption

An hour and a half is not a long time for the body to absorb all the protein from one serving, especially if you factor in the rate at which the body can absorb protein.

A review on the rate of protein absorption published in 2006 in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, reported that whey protein isolate absorbs at a rate of about 8g/hour.

Window of Opportunity

This means if one serving of whey protein isolate is 25g with an absorption rate of 8g/hour and it has a 1.5 hour window to absorb it, only 12g of protein would get absorbed.

No matter how “digestible” the protein is, its absorption is still limited by Gastrointestinal Transit Time.  In fact, the faster the GTT, the less time your body has to absorb nutrients.

This is why it is so important to add Aminogen.  You have approximately a 1.5 hour window opportunity to absorb as much of your high protein meal, snack, or drink as possible.  

Make the most of it and increase the amount of protein metabolized and absorbed with Aminogen.

Boost Your Protein Drink

Men’ s Health lists some smart ways to give your protein drink a nutritional boost.  Check out their suggestions here.  I have added a few suggestions of my own below.

Pineapple and Crushed Ice

Stir in with plain or vanilla protein powder and chill for a refreshing twist.  Pineapple is a natural source of enzymes and vitamin C. 

Raspberries, Blueberries, Strawberries

Berries are high in antioxidants.  Since your body accrues oxidative stress during exercise, berries make a great addition to any post-workout protein drink.

Aminogen

… of course!  Like the enzymes in pineapple, the enzymes in Aminogen are natural and plant-based.  The benefit is that Aminogen is formulated and proven to break down the whey protein in your drink. And while some brands of protein powder contain generic enzymes, Aminogen is the only designer enzyme system patented and clinically shown to significantly increase absorption of amino acids and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) from dietary protein. 

Easy Way to Look Up Food Facts

Want to know the protein content and nutritional breakdown of that burger you had for lunch?  I have added Food File Online's search box on my Nutrition Tools page to make that easier to do.  It's a great, user-friendly way to search USDA nutritional data on thousands of foods. 

Simply type in the food you are interested in:

If you know exactly what you are looking for, give your description.  It can be  general or specific.  Or,choose from a list of categories to narrow down your search.

Food File gives you detailed, easy-to-use nutritional information.

The great thing about this site is that it includes food you eat at home as well as popular restaurant selections.  The downside is that now there is no excuse for not knowing what was really in your lunch!

Protein and Dieting

This is a good article from WebMd with some basic information about protein's role in a healthy weight loss plan. 

It touches on a few of the studies that I have reported on here, including studies showing that protein can affect levels of certain hunger hormones.

The article quotes the researcher from a study published in the Journal of Nutrition who found a combination of protein and exercise accelerated fat loss and reduced blood lipids:

“Our research suggests that higher-protein diets help people better control their appetites and calorie intake,” says researchers Donald Layman, PhD, a professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champain.

Diets higher in protein [and] moderate in carbs, along with a lifestyle of regular exercise have an excellent potential to reduce blood lipids [and] maintain lean tissue while burning fat for fuel without dieters being sidetracked with constant hunger.”

The second page also includes a helpful chart listing the protein content of some common foods.

More Information on Protein and Weight Management

The US Dairy Export Council  is a great resource if you take whey protein or are thinking about it.  Here is the USDEC report on whey protein and weight management. 

What I like about Aminogen is that it has been shown in studies to improve both whey protein amino acid absorption AND whole-food protein amino acid absorption.

So, whether you are taking a supplement or eating a meal, Aminogen helps you to maximize your protein nutrition - an important aspect of weight management.

Good News

It may not have been all protein powder and food pyramid perfection over the holidays, but you may be surprised…some of what you ate may not have been as bad for you as you think.

                                                                                  

This article from CNN online explains why the protein content in foods like lean beef, eggs, even ice-cream, makes them a good choice.

Carb-Protein Drinks May be Better Than Carb-Only Sports Drinks

Protein added to carb-replenishing drinks seem to rehydrate and re-engergize better than carb-only energy drinks.  Check out complete article here.