Do you have a little one that struggles with mood, weight, behavior, ADHD, anxiety, SPD, OCD, or even sleep? If so it’s time to kick the breakfast cereal and muffins to the curb.
Yes, protein is essential for building muscle, but protein breakdown is vital for every function in your body.
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Generally, the broader the spectrum of amino acids a protein source contains, the more nutritious it will be for you
Amino Acids are the key to mood
Protein is broken down into amino acids that are used to create your neurotransmitters. Serotonin, Dopamine, GABA, and Norepinephrine are the four major neurotransmitters that impact mood and concentration. Without the proper breakdown of amino acids, your mood can suffer.
Remember: protein is your body’s primary source of growth.
Yes, protein can help support muscle growth, but it is so much more than that! Good protein content can also help you achieve a stronger bone structure, healthier hair and skin, and much more. It can also help prevent sarcopenia (loss of muscle due to aging) and frailty, lengthening your lifespan.
The question then does arise – what’s the best source of amino acids? If amino acids are so essential, which source of protein will give you the best spectrum?
Here are the top 3 sources of amino acids:
- Eggs/Chicken. Both will provide a perfect spectrum of amino acids – especially one specific amino acid called L-Leucine, which is excellent for building muscle.
- Tuna. Have you ever heard how boxers often open up a can of tuna after a training session to boost muscle development? This is for a good reason. Not only is tuna very low in calories, but it’s also relatively high in amino acids and contains a comprehensive and available spectrum.
It will benefit you to make tuna and other fish a regular protein source in your diet. - Wild game. When it comes to maximizing your amino acid spectrum for muscle development, nothing beats the wild game. Animals like moose, bison, and even deer contain a very lean protein source that is high in amino acids.
These animals provide the perfect combination of strength and mass. Research has also shown that the amino acid bioavailability (the amount you can absorb) is very high for wild game meats.
*If you cannot locate wild game near you, grass-fed/grass-finished beef is also a great option.
So, there you have it – three of the very best sources of amino acids. One last important thing to remember is that when it comes to amino acids, each food matrix will always be different.
This is why it’s crucial to get protein from various sources.
If you’re vegetarian, ensure that you utilize a broad spectrum of protein sources like beans, nuts, seeds, and grains. If you’re a meat-eater, vary your protein choices across all fish and many wild game animals.
For your best results, getting your protein from numerous sources always provides more significant health benefits than restricting your diet to only a couple of kinds of protein – even when you’re trying to maximize your amino acids for specific purposes.
Two Factors that Impact Protein Breakdown
· Digestion: Good digestion is needed to correctly breakdown proteins into usable amino acids. Poor digestion, inflammation, and lack of stomach acid can all hinder your ability to breakdown proteins.
· Artificial food coloring: Artificial food colorings have been shown to bind to proteins and prevent their breakdown.
