If you think of protein as a source for muscle building only and shy away it from it because you don't want to become "The Incredible Hulk," think again! Protein has many functions. When protein enters the body it is converted into amino acids. These "aminos" actually work to not only keep you healthy but happy, too, which translates into not only looking good but feeling good too!

Are you asking yourself, "How?", "What's the catch?" Here are some important features of the wonders of protein.

Yes it is true that protein is responsible for muscle repair and growth. However, among its many functions, it strengthens bones, generates cartilidge, sustains hair follicle growth (in other words it keeps the hair on your head and not in your tub), preserves nails (keeps them from chipping and breaking), speeds the growth of skin layers (for that "glowing" look), retains vital organ function (enhancing metabolism), produces critical digestive enzymes to break down your food (so you don't feel bloated), supports immune function (keeps you healthy) and most importantly it is responsible for the synthesis of hormones. One of my favorite hormones is serotinin because it helps drive our "happy feelings."

Get the picture now? You may be thinking, I'll just eat more animal foods. While these will certainly bring the benefits of the wonders of amino acids, have you ever thought where you maybe losing these wonders?

Take grains for example. Refining grains (especially into white flour products) removes the bran and the germ leaving only the endosperm. Without the bran and germ a good portion of the grain's protein is lost.

That's why eating "whole" foods is important. Take whole grains for example. Many don't realize that grains like quinoa and millet are high protein grains. Other whole grains include oats, barley, farro, brown rice, barley, corn, wheat, spelt and kasha. While processed foods like instant oatmeal, puffed cereals, muffins and bagels may contain the word "whole" grain, are they in the same ratio as nature intended? Besides losing protein, refined grains lose fiber another key for total health.

Another important question, "Do the number of grams on the package equal the number of grams you are absorbing?" Are you losing the benefits of the amino acids once they enter your body by eating them with a white sugar or white flour product? White sugar and white flour products can "set off bodywide stress causing your pancreas to release insulin. The insulin sweeps most of the amino acids out of your bloodstream"* before getting a chance to fortify your body function. That means your body may not get a chance to make the hormones that keep you happy or make the digestive enzymes to keep you from feeling bloated, or sustain your hair follicle growth, etc. Are you getting the picture now? In short, while they may taste good, they may not be doing much for your body. Another reason to avoid that hamburger on a white roll!

Remembering that balance is the key ingredient in any healthy meal is the first step. That means not leaving out any macronutrient (protein, carbohydrate and fat) when planning snacks or meals. These macronutrients work in unison, to keep the body in tip top shape. Leaving any part out would be like having only one key player on a team. Take egg whites for instance. Many look to the white where the protein is, however, the yolk contains nearly as much protein and contains nutrient rich goodies like essential fatty acids and fat soluable vitamins like A, D and E. Separate the white and yolk and you are short changing yourself. Again, that's why eating "whole" foods is so important.

Beans are another way to get protein into your diet. You can obtain some 15 grams of protein by eating one cup of a wide variety of beans like navy, black, great northern, kidney and pinto. Eat these beans with a whole grain and you have created a "complete" protein source.

And while vegetables don't contain "complete" proteins, if they are not part of your balanced diet, you may want to rethink that strategy. Aspargus, broccoli, cauliflower and black eyed peas contain approximately 30% protein!

So if you are feeling moody, it could be because those aminos are not getting a chance to create those good feeling hormones like serotonin!

And finally, STRESS. We haven't addressed that beauty. Even if those aminos are getting the chance to do their job - if your adrenal glands are too busy making hormones like adrenaline and cortisol to balance the stress in your life, the production of those good feeling hormones may be compromised. It's like the bad kid in the family getting all the attention while the good kid is getting neglected.

So you can see how eating a whole foods BALANCED diet is a sure way to keep yourself not only looking good but feeling good for years to come!

Stay well,

Andrea Tortorella, HHC


*The Mood Cure, Julia Ross M.A.

phone: 914 9601554

web: http://www.bringbalance2u.com