Q: Are there any risks associated with excess protein consumption?
A: The human body is unable to store extra protein. Protein consumed in excess of the body’s needs is not used to build muscle; rather, it is used for non-protein bodily functions. If individuals consume protein in excess of their caloric and protein needs, the extra protein will not be stored as protein. Unfortunately such extra protein is converted to and stored as fat. As a result, if individuals consume large amounts of extra protein in addition to their regular dietary intake, any weight gain would very likely be in the form of fat. Another important point to keep in mind is that the potential for harm exists if protein is consumed in excess. Such harm is most likely to occur in the individual who consumes protein or amino acid supplements. For example, excess protein may lead to dehydration, because protein metabolism requires extra water for utilization and excretion (i.e., elimination) of its by-products. Since exercising individuals are already at an increased risk for dehydration, the additional strain of protein waste excretion may further promote dehydration. Excess protein has also been shown to lead to an increase in the loss of urinary calcium. A chronic calcium loss, due to excess protein intake, is of particular concern because it may increase the risk of osteoporosis, especially in women. Source: Bryant, Cedric X. 101 Frequently Asked Questions about “Health & Fitness” and “Nutrition & Weight Control”. Sagamore Publishing, 1999.
Greet holiday guests with a fragrant mug of hot cider spiced with cinnamon and cloves. It will do more than warm them up.
Cinnamon and cloves are irresistible flavorings, but they aren’t just treats for your tastebuds. They also provide powerful health benefits, like helping the body process blood glucose — essential to avoiding diabetes. Keep both spices handy for baking, hot drinks, and savory dishes. Cooking with them is as easy as apple pie.
Cinnamon is well known as a stellar antioxidant and a potent germ-killer, and there’s a growing body of evidence that shows that a substance in the spice turns on insulin receptors to help the body use glucose. Which is a good thing, because too much glucose in the bloodstream is tough on your organs and a marker of diabetes. Cloves appear to have a similar effect.
So don’t save these spices for holiday cooking. You can use cinnamon liberally, but cloves — ground or whole — really pack a flavor punch and take a lighter hand. For ways to get more of these good-for-you spices into your everyday life, try these tips:
- Sprinkle both on fresh apple slices and poached pears.
- Add cinnamon and cloves to crockpot dishes for an Indian-inspired flavor twist.
- Add ground cloves to stuffing recipes.
- Use a cinnamon stick to stir your tea, hot chocolate, or warm soymilk.
- Sprinkle both spices into muffin batters and on whole-wheat toast.
- Keep a cinnamon shaker next to the salt and pepper on the table and experiment.
- Push whole cloves into an onion and place it in turkey or chicken cavities for flavorful roasting.
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Compliments of RealAge.com Originally published on 11/20/2006.
These are truly amazing and nutritious:
16 ounce jar of tahini (sesame seed butter)
5 tablespoons pure maple syrup (preferably Grade B)
6 medule dates, pits removed
1/4 raw sunflower seeds
1/4 cup currants or raisins
1/4 cup raw carob powder or cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons cardamom powder
1 teaspoon coriander powder
1/2 teaspoon ground clove
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup granola or graham crackers crushed and in a bowl to roll cookies in
Directions:
Blend everything except the granola in a food processor till thoroughly mixed (I recommend doing only part of the tahini in the beginning because the mixture doesn’t mix well if you put the whole jar in right away, it’s too thick). When blended completely, roll into balls a little smaller than a golf ball. Roll in the granola and either eat or refrigerate for 1/2 hour and then eat. Delicious!
Compliments of Talya Lutzer, Ayurvedic Chef and Practitioner
