role of protein in healing

[Guest guest]

Does anyone know the role protein plays in healing and supporting the immune

system? I am protein deficient and take an amino acid supplement. It is hard

for me to eat a lot of protein as meat and chicken irritate my stomach. I crave

protein a lot and wonder also if the eating right for your blood type principle

is solidly based. I have read some about it and I have type O blood which is

supposed to mean I need to eat a lot of protein.

The funny part is I was always taught that the need for protein is

overemphasized by nutritionists and people in general and that we need very

little and get plenty in even non protein foods. The western world tends to

overconsume protein with its meat based diet but I have eaten very little meat

for many years and for a couple of years not even egg whites, but it got me

protein deficient as a result. I now eat a lot of egg whites and try to eat a

little meat once in a while and chicken too. I also eat lots of legumes and

some nuts and dairy.

It is an irony that I need so much protein and seem to do better when I get it

when I believed I got plenty and it wasn't so important to emphasize compared to

the vital and highly beneficial vitamins/minerals/antioxidants/phytochemicals in

plants.

Is it possible that my need is just greater now that I am underweight and

nutritionally deficient and ill?

anita