RE: limiting Amino Acids?

[Guest guest]

Rose and his colleagues completed research by the spring of 1952 that

determined the human requirements for the eight essential amino acids.2 They set

as the " minimum amino acid requirement " the largest amount required by any

single subject, and then doubled these values to make the " recommended amino

acid requirement, " which was also considered a " definitely safe intake. " By

calculating the amount of each essential amino acid provided by unprocessed

complex carbohydrates (starches and vegetables),3 and comparing these values

with those determined by Rose, 2 the results show that any single one, or

combination, of these plant foods provide amino acid intakes in excess of the

recommended requirements. Therefore, a careful look at the founding scientific

research and some simple math proves it is impossible to design an amino acid

deficient diet based upon amounts of unprocessed starches and vegetables

sufficient to meet the calorie needs of humans. Furthermore, mixing foods to

make a complementary amino acid composition is unnecessary.4

1. St. Jeor S, B, Prewitt E. Dietary protein and weight reduction. A

statement for health professionals from the Nutrition Committee of the Council

on Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Metabolism of the American Heart

Association. Circulation 2001;104:1869-74.

2. Rose W. The amino acid requirement of adult man. Nutr Abst Rev

1957;27:63l-47.

3. J Pennington. Bowes & Church's Food Values of Portions Commonly Used. 17th

Ed. Lippincott. Philadelphia- New York. 1998.

4. M. Irwin, Hegsted D. A conspectus of research on protein requirements of man.

J Nutr 1971;101:385-428.

The issue than became that some plant foods have " limiting " amino acids. The

term

" limiting " was applied after realizing that " incomplete " wasincorrect. However,

as

the research shows, even limiting is inaccurate. Yes,

some plant foods have lower amounts of certain amino acids (mostly methionine

and cystein), but so do certain animal foods. And, that may be a good thing

and not a bad thing.

As I mentioned, analyze any one plant food (not fruit), even lettuce and adjust

the

amount so it supplies 2000 (oops, I may have said 1500 but it should still work)

calories. Than check out the amino acid content. You

will see that any one plant food (except fruit) will surpass the amino acid

requirements set by Rose, or WHO. Most will double them.

Also, it is important to know where the nutrition software you are using is

getting their numbers and recommendations from. They are not all accurate and to

be careful of decimals and what is given in mgs vs gms.

I am hoping the format doesnt mess up. If it does, I will post the info on the

web and give the URL for the data.

I have included Rose's minimums, Rose's " requirements " which were he doubled his

minimums, which the WHO adopted and used for many years and I have included the

more recent update from the Food and Nutrition Board published in the Food and

Nutrition Bulletin Volume 17, Number 3, September 1996 which are also identical

to the ones published in the most recent edition of Nutrition and Diet Therapy.

, SR, Times/Mirror Mosby College (which are given as mg/kg/day which i

based on a 70 kg adult (150 lbs). As you can see, each food item listed

clearly surpassed not only the minimum established need, but all the newly

revised and updated recommendations. Even if you want to only use a percent of

the total (due to some lower protein score, protein quality, or absorption,

utilization issues that may be raised),say like 70-75%, you still surpass all

recommendations (which would than still make it at 1500).

Just for the fun of it, I also included the numbers for iceburg lettuce, often

thought of as having little nutritional value and often called " junk food " .

In addition, what is interesting is not only does the 2000 calories of these

foods meet the protein and amino acid requirements it also provides the

following nutrient values (romaine, broccoli, iceburg)respectively

Calcium (3894, 2773, 4000)

Iron (114, 43, 70)

Zinc (27, 24, 32)

Omega 3s (5.5, 2.4, 3.2)

You will see that any one plant food (except fruit) will surpass the amino acid

requirements set by Rose, or WHO. Most will double them. "

Amino Acid Rose's Min Rose Req (WHO) FNB Romaine Broccoli Iceburg

Trypt .25 .50 .4 1.4 1.9 1.6

Phenyl* .28 .56 2.7 8.0 6.9 9.8

Leuc 1.1 2.2 2.7 11.6 7.6 14.0

Isoleu .7 1.4 1.6 12.3 4.6 15.0

Lysi .8 1.6 2.1 12.3 7.9 15.0

Vali .8 1.6 1.4 10.2 7.3 12.4

Methio* .11 .22 1.0 2.3 2.2 2.8

Threon .5 1.0 1.0 8.7 5.1 10.6

Total Pro 20 37 145 167 162

References

Rose W. The amino acid requirement of adult man. Nutr Abst Rev

1957;27:63l-47.

M. Irwin, Hegsted D. A conspectus of research on protein requirements of man.

J Nutr 1971;101:385-428.

It is important to also know that ~75% of the requirement for Phenylalanine can

be met by tyrosine (non ess AA) and ~ 85% of the requirement for Methionine can

be met by Cysteine (non ess AA). THose references..

W. Rose, " The Amino Acid Requirements of Man XIV The Sparing Effects of Tyrosine

on Phenylalaine Requirement, " J Biol Chem 217 (1955): 95

W. Rose, " The Amino Acid Requirements of Man XIV The Sparing Effects of Cysteine

on Methionine Requirement, " J Biol Chem 216 (1955): 763