Laurence T. Gayao MD
When I was in my thirties I started a physical fitness program based on weight training. I subscribed to Muscle and Fitness Magazine and followed the suggested exercise and dietary regimens body builders recommended. I also read a book on exercise physiology. I diligently spent about two hours a day five times weekly in my home gym and was on a high protein diet of egg whites, fish and dairy products. I bulked up and folks would often comment about the size of my arms when I worked in the emergency room wearing my hospital scrubs.
How much protein do we really need and is there a connection between one’s protein intake and cancer? These questions were recently asked by one of my readers. There are many kinds of research done related to these questions for the last thirty years but much of the information has not been disseminated as well as it should have been. My attention was drawn to this subject recently by the advertisements by The Cancer Treatment Centers of America touting their advance treatment program which included nutritional therapy.
Connection Between Protein and Cancer
1. Insulin-like Growth Factor: A study by the group of L. Fontana has shown that low-protein, low-calorie diet, and endurance running have a strong effect on the concentration of several growth-promoting hormones and other clinical biomarkers as reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2006. It was noted the circulating levels of free insulin-like growth factor (IGF) were low in this group of individuals compared to those of the general population. IGF is known to promote cancer growth. Studies have shown when the caloric intake of animal protein was over 10% of the total there was noted an increase in the levels of IGF, this was not so with protein from plant sources even at high levels of intake.
Studies related to this started after scientists observed the association of primary liver cancer and animal protein consumption among Filipino children, this also coincided with experimental studies done among animals in India. It was shown that tumor growth in rate was enhanced when mice were fed with animal protein over 10% of their caloric intake and tumor growth completely repressed when animal protein decreased to less 5% or over 20% plant protein of the total caloric intake. Research for the last forty years both in animals and human beings have consistently shown that tumor development and growth could be turned off and on by the amount of animal protein intake.
Dr. T. Colin Campbell of The China Study spent 50 years researching the correlation between diet and cancer. This scientist who grew up in up in a dairy farm, thinks that cancer can be prevented and cured by a plant-based diet and avoiding animal protein. He’s said proteins like casein (protein in dairy) are related to increasing of multiple types of cancers and meat consumption to prostate and colon cancer. Campbell has faced extreme opposition from the entire food industry and from the medical community. When cancer researchers started to search for links between diet and cancer, one of the most noticeable findings was that people who avoided meat were much less likely to develop the disease. Lately, The Cancer Treatment Centers of American is using low animal protein or plant-based protein diet as a part of their treatment program which is based on the overwhelming evidence that animal protein enhances cancer growth.
2. Animal protein total lack of fiber: Unlike plant protein which cames with fiber, antioxidants and phytonutrients animal protein is void of these items. Many people in an effort of increase their intake of protein eat a lot of animal protein and end up with fiber and nutritional deficiency.
High intake of fiber has been associated decrease cancer risk especially of the breast and colon. It also lowers the risk of ulcerative colitis , Crohn’s disease, constipation and diverticulitis. It may also reduce cholesterol levels, strokes and heart disease.
3. Animal Protein, Heme Iron and Free Radicals: Iron is an important metal in our body. We get it in two forms; a) heme iron from animal foods and b) non-heme iron found widely in plant based foods. One problem with heme iron can catalyze the formation of N-nitrooxide compounds in our bodies which are potent carcinogens. Heme also could convert to free radicals which could damage different cell structures like DNA, proteins and membranes.
Other Ways Animal Protein Affects Your Health
1. Kidney stones and Osteoporosis: High animal protein intake causes an increase in calcium to be excreted through the kidneys which result in the increase in the production of kidney stones and also contributes to the development of osteoporosis. A study in England found that when people added 5 ounces (34 grams) of fish to their diet there was an increase of 250% of forming kidney stones.
2. Kidney disease: Too much animal protein intake increases nitrogenous products to be excreted through the urine putting a strain on the kidneys and eventually resulting in renal failure.
3. Gout: A new study published in the New England Medical Journal 2014, showed another risk of animal protein-rich diet especially among males is the painful inflammatory arthritis called gout. Substituting vegetable protein has been found to be protective of this disease.
4. Body odor:The amino acids in red meat leaves a residue, which then mixes with bacteria on your skin during perspiration and intensifies your body odor
6. Animal Protein and TMAO: Higher consumption of animal protein results in higher levels of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO. This substance causes inflammation of the lining of the blood vessels which results in cardiovascular problems. There is a saying you are as old as your blood vessels.
7. Animal Protein and Cholesterol: Most animal foods comes with high cholesterol and saturated fat. This is even true with what we call lean meats such as chicken, turkey or fish irregardless how they are cooked.
For years we have been lead to think that athletes need more protein. The truth is even those on muscle building and strength training just need slightly more protein than the average person, what they need is more calories from fruits and vegetables to convert to clean energy required for their workout and this gives them more fiber for the health of their bowel.
Good Sources fo Protein
Legumes, seeds, spirulina, mycoprotein (fungus-based protein), and quinoa, are good sources of protein. Soy is a complete source of protein and has cancer-fighting characteristics including being a good source of calcium, acting as a phytoestrogen and promoting anti-angiogenesis (suppressing new blood vessel growth in tumors). Remember the body also recycles protein from the break-down of cells this decreases the kidney load for waste products that the body needs to get rid off.
In the past physicians and the general public were made to believe that you could never get too much protein. Some diets even recommend high-protein, low carbohydrate diets and in the short term one may be successful losing weight but users may be unaware of the long-term health hazards associated with such type of diet. While this diet is used as an adjunct in the treatment (ketogenic diet) of some cancers it is not recommended as diet to maintain health. In the keto diet, it is recommended to avoid red meat which increases the risk for cancer.
Remember our body is the most sophisticated and complex organism on this planet, give it better care and attention than what you give your cars so you could enjoy your life with your loved ones on this earth as long as you can. Do not forget that
Don’t forget Cancer is a Preventable Disease that Requires Major Lifestyle Changes.
Use the best fuel to keep your body healthy.
By: Laurence T. Gayao, MD, Total Fitness Medicine/ Founder
