The Protein Debate - How much should we have ?

The variety and amount of protein we should be consuming in our diet is a controversial topic. Many people are on high protein diets for weight loss and athletic performance. In the short term this can be very beneficial to the body. Long term effects of following these programs can lead to kidney problems and eventually kidney damage. High protein diets also have an impact on calcium absorption and can cause demineralisation of bone. The quality of protein is also very important. Fish in particular is a problem as mercury levels and PCB's (polychlorinated biphenyls) can be a problem. PCB's are highly toxic industrial compounds that find way into the water system. We have just stocked our shelves with Fish 4 Ever Sustainably farmed fish, mercury and PCB free. Soy is also a hot topic.  Current research is telling us that soy products are fine to have in moderation.  The soy products that are to be cautious about are those containing soy isolates as research is currently inconclusive of their long term effects in the western diet. As in all cases with nutrition, whole foods are much more nutritious and better for us than refined products. Non genetically modified (GM) soy products are another point to consider when buying soy.  In this case buying organic is the best option as they are guaranteed to be GM free. Many vegetarians and vegans have diets low in protein. Protein deficiency can cause symptoms such as hair loss, fluid retention, muscle wastage and anaemia. Follow the links below to find out the latest reserch information from harvard and pubmed on daily protein intake. General guidelines for protein intake for the Victorian Government and Harvard University:

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/protein?open

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/files/protein-quick-tips.pdf

Protein Information : How much to take and is high protein bad for the heart?

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/questions/protein-questions/#atkins

Is protein causing chronic disease?   Straight talk about Soy Products Protein and Weight Control

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/protein-full-story/index.html

High Protein Diets: The short and long term health effects

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14672862

Consequences of very-high-protein diets for athletes and exercisers 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21375795

Music as Therapy Need a lift ? Did you know that classical music revitalises old brain cells and may lift depression. Rock'n'Roll helps with a bad mood and helps release negative emotions whilst techno music speeds breathing and circulation which is great if your exercising. Music therapists use jazz, piano and harp music to reduce chronic pain. So next time your feeling a little down try some music therapy !

Spelt Grain We have lots of customers looking for spelt products as an alternative to wheat. Spelt is a slightly sweet wholegrain flour produced by milling spelt berries, a cereal grain in the wheat family. Spelt still contains gluten, so for the seriously intolerant don't go there. It is perfect for people who are trying to introduce variety into their diet as ongoing overuse of wheat may cause intolerance. It's like everything don't eat too much of one thing. Variety really is the key to a great diet.

Umeboshi Plums Umeboshi plums health properties have been recognised for centuries. Ume-boshi are plums that have been soaked in a salt bath and then sundried. They are quite tart in flavour. Their powerful alkalising ability can help with fatigue, digestion and promote the elimination of toxins. They have also traditionally been used as a potent hangover cure. An umeboshi a day is regarded as one of the best preventative remedies you can take. So not only an apple a day, but an ume-boshi a day.

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