Currently, a variety of "protein powder" products have appeared on the market for the purpose of supplementing protein. Their manufacturers have also heavily promoted them through various advertising media, providing well-reasoned arguments about the harm that protein deficiency can cause to the human body and the necessity of supplementing protein. So, is protein deficiency common in healthy individuals, and is it necessary to consume them as nutritional supplements?
As an important nutrient in the human body, protein is the material basis for all life. It is digested and broken down in the human gastrointestinal tract into several essential amino acids. These amino acids are transported to the body's cells through the bloodstream to synthesize various important physiologically active substances such as human tissues, hormones, enzymes, immunoglobulins, and antibodies. The energy for our daily activities and the improvement of our immune system both rely on the function of protein. If the human body lacks protein, it will cause great harm to health. However, for us normal people, as long as we maintain a normal diet, protein deficiency generally does not occur, so there is no need to supplement protein by consuming protein powder.
Currently, animal protein and soy protein are recognized as high-quality proteins in nutritional research. They are found in most eggs, meat products, and soy products. In addition to containing various amino acids, minerals, and vitamins, these foods also contain some bioactive factors that are being researched or有待开发, such as soy isoflavones in soybeans, lecithin in eggs, and unsaturated fatty acids in fish, all of which have the effect of lowering triglyceride levels in the blood and reducing the risk of coronary heart disease. The vast majority of protein powders sold on the market are produced through deep processing of soybeans. Although their protein content can be as high as 90% or more, due to the loss of other nutrients during the processing process, their nutritional value is greatly discounted and cannot compare to natural foods.
Of course, protein powder is not completely useless; it also has special applicable populations. For some people in special physiological periods, such as hospitalized patients, patients with intestinal diseases, and late-stage cancer patients, it is necessary to supplement protein appropriately because their digestive and absorption abilities are poor. It is worth noting that excessive protein supplementation is also detrimental to human health. First, it will increase the burden on the kidneys. Under normal circumstances, the human body must deaminate excess protein and excrete the resulting nitrogen through urine, which requires a large amount of water and healthy, strong kidneys. If kidney function is not sound, excessive protein intake can pose a threat to health. Secondly, excessively high protein intake may also increase the loss of calcium in urine, damaging bone health. Therefore, people who regularly eat eggs, meat, fish, or legume foods do not need to consume protein powder at all.