Proteinaholic: How Our Obsession With Meat Is Killing Us And What We Can Do About It
Protein is one of the most popular and controversial topics in the world of nutrition. Many people believe that eating more protein is the key to losing weight, building muscle, and staying healthy. But is this really true? Or are we actually harming ourselves by consuming too much animal protein?
Proteinaholic: How Our Obsession With Meat Is Killing Us And What We Can Do About It
In this article, we will review the book Proteinaholic: How Our Obsession With Meat Is Killing Us And What We Can Do About It by Dr. Garth Davis, a weight loss surgeon and vegan advocate. We will summarize the main arguments and evidence presented by the author, and discuss the implications and recommendations for our health and the environment.
What is Proteinaholic?
Proteinaholic is a term coined by Dr. Davis to describe the condition of being addicted to protein, especially animal protein. According to Dr. Davis, proteinaholics are people who:
Believe that protein is essential for health and weight loss.
Eat more protein than they need, often at the expense of other nutrients.
Ignore or dismiss the negative effects of animal protein on their health and the planet.
Are influenced by the diet and health industry, which promotes protein as a miracle nutrient.
Dr. Davis argues that proteinaholism is not only widespread, but also dangerous. He claims that eating too much animal protein can cause or worsen many chronic diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and kidney failure. He also points out the environmental and ethical issues of animal agriculture, which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, deforestation, biodiversity loss, and animal suffering.
What is the evidence?
Dr. Davis bases his arguments on a large body of scientific research, as well as his own personal and professional experience. He cites hundreds of studies from various fields of medicine, nutrition, epidemiology, and biology to support his claims. Some of the main sources of evidence he uses are:
The China Study, a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between diet and disease in rural China, which found that people who ate more plant-based foods had lower rates of chronic diseases than those who ate more animal products.
The Blue Zones, a project that identified five regions in the world where people live longer and healthier than average, which found that most of them followed a predominantly plant-based diet with low to moderate amounts of animal protein.
The Adventist Health Studies, a series of long-term studies on the health outcomes of Seventh-day Adventists, a religious group that encourages vegetarianism, which found that vegetarians had lower risks of mortality and morbidity than non-vegetarians.
The Physicians' Health Study, a large-scale trial that examined the effects of dietary supplements on cardiovascular disease and cancer in male doctors, which found that taking extra protein did not reduce the risk of these diseases.
The Framingham Heart Study, a landmark study that followed the cardiovascular health of thousands of residents in Framingham, Massachusetts, which found that high blood cholesterol levels were strongly associated with increased risk of heart disease.
In addition to these studies, Dr. Davis also shares his own story of how he transformed his health by switching from a high-protein diet to a plant-based diet. He describes how he suffered from obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, fatty liver disease, and prediabetes before he changed his eating habits. He also recounts how he improved his athletic performance by becoming a vegan ironman triathlete.
What are the implications?
The implications of Dr. Davis's book are profound and far-reaching. He challenges many common myths and misconceptions about protein and nutrition, such as:
Protein is essential for health and weight loss.
Animal protein is superior to plant protein.
We need to eat more protein as we age or exercise.
We can only get complete protein from animal sources.
Plant-based diets are deficient in protein and other nutrients.
He also offers practical and realistic advice on how to adopt a plant-based diet, without being dogmatic or judgmental. He explains how to get enough protein and other nutrients from plant foods, how to plan balanced and satisfying meals, how to deal with social and cultural pressures, and how to enjoy the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle. He emphasizes that eating more plants does not mean giving up all animal products, but rather reducing them to a minimum or eliminating them altogether.
What are the recommendations?
Dr. Davis's main recommendation is to eat more plants and less animals. He suggests that we aim for at least 80% of our calories from plant sources, and no more than 10% from animal sources. He also advises that we limit our protein intake to about 10% of our calories, or about 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight per day. He warns that eating more than this amount can have negative consequences for our health and the environment.
Some of the specific foods that Dr. Davis recommends are:
Fruits and vegetables, especially leafy greens, berries, cruciferous vegetables, and citrus fruits.
Whole grains, such as oats, brown rice, quinoa, and buckwheat.
Legumes, such as beans, lentils, peas, soybeans, and tofu.
Nuts and seeds, such as almonds, walnuts, flaxseeds, chia seeds, and hemp seeds.
Mushrooms, seaweed, and other fungi and algae.
Herbs and spices, such as turmeric, ginger, garlic, basil, and cinnamon.
Some of the foods that Dr. Davis advises to avoid or minimize are:
Meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products.
Processed foods, such as bacon, sausage, ham, cheese, butter, ice cream, and yogurt.
Refined carbohydrates, such as white bread, white rice, pasta, pastries, and sugar.
Added oils and fats, such as olive oil, coconut oil, margarine, and mayonnaise.
Artificial sweeteners, preservatives, colors, flavors, and other additives.
Conclusion
Proteinaholic: How Our Obsession With Meat Is Killing Us And What We Can Do About It is a book that challenges the conventional wisdom on protein and nutrition. It presents a compelling case for eating more plants and less animals for optimal health and longevity. It also exposes the myths and biases of the diet and health industry that promote protein as a miracle nutrient. It is a book that can change your life and the world for the better.
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