Dr. Eric Berg points out that protein is not simply a matter of "how many grams," but rather about "amino acid quality" and "absorption rate." Especially for vegetarians, children, or those on a ketogenic diet, choosing the wrong protein source can affect muscle mass, mood, digestion, and even development .
Check out our most popular amino acid products!
👉🏻 : https://iherb.prf.hn/l/6qRz4VL/
High quality doesn't have to be expensive! Over a hundred iHerb products are up to 25% off compared to other stores, and with lightning-fast 8-hour delivery!
Concept 1: Protein ≠ Food Weight
- For example: 100g steak ≠ 100g protein → actually only about 26g
- The rest is water + fat → you can't estimate protein intake by food weight.
- Recommended calculation method: Approximately 0.8–1g of protein is needed per kilogram of body weight per day.
Concept 2: What the body truly needs are amino acids.
- Proteins are composed of amino acids → the body's requirements are based on "the types and proportions of amino acids".
- Food labels that only list "total protein" cannot reflect the quality of the food .
- The ketogenic diet recommends 20% protein , but doesn't clearly explain the sources of amino acids.
Concept 3: Protein Absorption Rate Ranking
|
Ranking |
food |
Absorption rate / amino acid quality |
|
1 |
breast milk |
Most complete and most easily absorbed |
|
2 |
egg |
High quality, complete with amino acids |
|
3 |
Meat/Chicken |
High absorption rate, complete amino acids |
|
4 |
dairy |
Secondary absorption rate |
|
5 |
plant protein |
Imbalanced amino acid ratio, low absorption rate |
The trap of plant protein
- Although it contains all eight essential amino acids , the proportions are extremely low (e.g., leucine , lysine , methionine ).
- For example: Wheat protein accounts for 80% of plant protein → amino acid deficiency.
- Supplementation method: Eat more? But this will result in a large intake of carbohydrates → disrupting the ketogenic diet.
Common problems for vegetarians
- Difficulty in obtaining high-quality protein → reliance on protein powder (but most of which is refined).
- If you have gut problems , it will be harder for you to absorb plant protein.
- Recommendation: If you are not a vegan, you can add eggs to improve the protein quality.
Having difficulty digesting meat? It might be due to insufficient stomach acid.
- Normal stomach acid has a pH of approximately 1–3 (close to battery acid).
- Insufficient stomach acid → difficulty digesting red meat → bloating and nausea
- Solution: Supplement Betaine Hydrochloride → Helps acidify gastric juices and improve digestion.
Protein warning signs in children
- Commercially available baby food often contains soy protein → resulting in an imbalanced amino acid ratio.
- Long-term intake → indigestion, low mood, and stunted development
- Recommended brand: Serenity Kids (contains meat, bone broth, and vegetables) → High-quality protein + natural ingredients
In conclusion: Stop focusing on "protein content in grams" and learn to look at "amino acid levels" for true health.
Hong Kong people have a diverse diet and a growing number of vegetarians, but protein is not just about "having" it, but about "how well it is absorbed and whether it is of good quality." Starting today, an egg, a piece of steak, and a spoonful of beetroot hydrochloride will lay the foundation for your body's health!
Don't be misled by the myth that "plant protein = health." Knowing how to choose, digest, and supplement is the key to true health!
Check out our most popular amino acid products!
👉🏻 : https://iherb.prf.hn/l/6qRz4VL/
High quality doesn't have to be expensive! Over a hundred iHerb products are up to 25% off compared to other stores, and with lightning-fast 8-hour delivery!
YouTube source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceaA3CPwGac
YouTube Column: Dr. Berger in Chinese Health knowledge
