Best Protein Supplements

Psoriasis goes usually hand in hand with protein deficiency. Stomach acid production is crucial for proper protein digestion and since most psoriatics have low stomach acid or even no stomach acid it is no surprise that the amino acid deficiencies develop.

The symptoms of protein deficiency or maybe I should say amino acids deficiency are fatigue, nail ridges, muscle weakness, weight loss, back pain, slow wound healing, hair thinning, depression, anxiety, being hungry all the time, frequent infections, brain fog, joint pain, etc….

I think that psoriasis also may be caused at least in some people mostly because of protein deficiency. Immune system as well as digestive system need the amino acids to produce the antibodies to fight off the microbes and enzymes to properly digest food.

Actually the pain in the knee you may feel after years with psoriasis does not have to be arthritis. Maybe it’s just the wear and tear because the body is short in amino acids. Joints can and do repair constantly but body needs the building blocks – the amino acids. Osteoarthritis develops not due to high age but bad digestion, bad nutrition and lack of movement.

Actually the various diets a lot of people try in order to get rid themselves of psoriasis may cause even more harm. Plant based diets for those who have bad digestion may cause worsening of psoriasis besides the other negative effects.

broccoli-and-spinachYes, there is some protein in broccoli, carrot or in apple but how do you think you can get and assimilate it in required amounts? Plant based protein is much harder to digest than protein in meat and low stomach acid levels are common even in relatively healthy people.

Glutathione, antibodies, digestive enzymes, neurotransmitters, production of new cells and detoxification – everything needs proper protein supply in order to run effectively and without problems.

1. Free-form amino acids

Now Foods, Sports, Amino-9 Essentials Powder, 11.64 oz (330 g)

free_aminoacids

The best source of amino acids is the blend of all 9 essential amino acids. NOW Foods produce Amino-9 Essentials Powder that contains all the essential amino acids in proportions that are recommended by National Academy of Sciences.

Amino acids in this product are in their “free form” what means that they can be easily absorbed into the bloodstream without any prior enzymatic breakdown. This product is useful for those with low stomach acid levels and bad pancreatic function.

One bottle will last for 30 days when you take 5.5 grams of powder 2 times daily, however recommended dosage is 3 servings daily. Serving size is 5.5 grams and will provide you with:

L-Leucine – 981 mg
L-Lysine – 888 mg (as L-Lysine Monohydrochloride)
L-Phenylalanine – 771 mg
L-Valine – 561 mg
L-Threonine – 468 mg
L-Isoleucine – 444 mg
L-Methionine – 443 mg
L-Histidine – 328 mg (as L-Histidine Monohydrochloride)
L-Tryptophan – 117 mg

Actually histidine is considered as semi-essential amino acid but the more we know we should accept it as the essential because in most cases body is not able to produce it in sufficient amounts. It is just an advantage to have histidine in this product since it helps the stomach to produce the acid.

In addition to free-form amino acids it may be very useful to add also whey protein because weak body may not be able to synthesize the non-essential amino acids in amounts that the body needs.

2. Desiccated liver

Now Foods, Liver Powder, 12 oz (340 g)

desiccated_liver

Desiccated powdered bovine liver is great source of protein, minerals and vitamins. Liver contains all the essential nutrients needed for the body to function. The nutritional profile of desiccated liver powder is about 70% of protein and 15% of fat.

However protein needs the digestive enzymes to break down the chemical bonds in order to be absorbed so even though desiccated liver is one of the best supplements one can buy it is not as effective (per weight or price) as free-form amino acids.

But the combo of free-form amino acids supplement and desiccated liver powder is unbelievably powerful for correcting the deficiencies and rebuilding of spinal discs, joints, cartilage, ligaments, skin, hair, nails as well as repairing the digestive tract (damaged small intestine).

3. Whey protein

Jarrow Formulas, 100% Natural Whey Protein, Unflavored, 32 oz (908 g)

whey_protein

Good old whey protein is not beneficial just for bodybuilders or top athletes. It’s the protein supplement with the complete amino acid profile so you won’t miss any amino acid that your body needs. However amino acids are not in their free forms so they may need some digestion before being assimilated.

Another advantage is that whey protein contains also some very supportive compounds like immunoglobulins and peptides like lactoferrin. Lactoferrin is also abundant in colostrum and you can buy it separately as supplement in high-dose in the capsules.

Lactoferrin is not a cheap supplement however it has many benefits. One of them is its iron binding capability. Scientific data concluded that supplementing with lactoferrin is comparably effective as taking the iron supplements in terms of correcting the iron deficiency.

Lactoferrin costs more than iron supplements but one huge advantage is that it’s iron binding capabilities steal iron from bacteria in the intestinal tract. That makes the life harder for pathogens since bacteria usually needs iron for their own living and biofilm production. When taking lactoferrin you don’t need taking any extra iron supplement since lactoferrin binds existing iron in the digestive tract and transport it where the body needs it.

Another advantages of lactoferrin are its antibacterial properties mediated (not just via binding the iron and transporting it to the human cells but also) by direct binding to bacterial cells. Powerful antiviral and antifungal properties are another advantages of this protein.

4. Brewer’s yeast

Now Foods, Brewer’s Yeast, Reduced Bitterness, 1 lb (454 g)

brewers_yeast

I used to recommend brewer’s yeast before more than I currently do but because of its higher price when compared to real value I think that amino acids sources like whey protein as well as desiccated liver powder are better.

The main advantage of brewer’s yeast is that it combines protein with b-complex vitamins. Even though brewer’s yeast was often used about 100 years ago to correct the deficiencies the price was much lower (since it is actually a byproduct of beer making process) and purity was higher since nobody sprayed grains with herbicides like glyphosate and other chemicals. Using herbicides also promotes the fungal growth what leads to higher levels of mycotoxins.

37.mold_Grains used for fermentation have generally lower quality and contain more mycotoxins and you really don’t want to ingest these substances in higher amounts. Even World Health Organisation warns that mycotoxins posses a serious risk for human health – www.who.int/bulletin/archives/77(9)754.pdf

Which protein product to buy?

The products in this post are ordered by my own opinion on their efficacy and convenience to supply the easy to assimilate amino acids for good price. Free-form amino acids are really the best since they don’t need to undergo any complicated digestive process in order to be absorbed into the bloodstream. Desiccated liver powder is great not just because of amino acids but also to supply the vitamins and even those vitamins that may not be discovered yet. Personally I would really consider taking both products since they complement each other.

Whey protein is good since it contains also the immunostimulating proteins, lactoferrin as anti-biofilm agent and immune booster and tastes good since manufacturers usually make their products palatable.

The biggest concern about brewer’s yeast is its contamination with mycotoxins. It is known that many producers of beer use less quality grains (often contaminated with molds). It may be beneficial to take brewer’s yeast short-term but I would avoid supplementing with it on a daily basis for more than 2 months. It depends also what dosage would you take. Alternatively you can buy Nutritional Yeast (Saccharomyces cervisiae) which is grown on cane and/or beet molasses.

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