Amino Acids

[Holli]

So I had this conversation, not unlike many conversations I've had since discovering this way of life. This lady was a nutrition major and was concerned that my family wasn't eating animal protein. I began to explain that there are many amino acids found in leafy greens. She said that she didn't believe all 27 aminos were present in greens and that I would need to be eating lots of whole grains to make sure I filled in the gaps to make the proteins our bodies needed (I do sprout wheat berries and barley and buckwheat...she liked that). Anyway, she's a very nice woman and meant well, and was very knowledgable about what she was discussing. I'm just wondering if what she said has merit? Can we get all the aminos we need from greens? I don't consistently prepare/sprout whole grains and maybe I should do more of that.

[StarFire]

Amino Acids are the building blocks of protein. 8 of the amino acids are called 'essential' -and they need to be acquired thru the diet. The body does not manufacture these 8 essential amino acids...

There are so many different choices of raw and vibrant foods that contain the various amino acids....

by the look of raw foodists that have enjoyed this LIFEstyle for a while - I'd say they were very healthy and their bodies looked like they were receiving all the nutrition that they needed. :D

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/bigthumbup.gif

[jenjen]

hi! it is true that not all the essential 9 amino acids are present in all fruits and veg (it's actually 9-11 essential amino acids). it's really only the essential ones you should find a source for.
the rest of the amino acids your body can make on it's own, and come in a variety of foods. it's really only the essential ones which your body cann't make that you should find a good source for, that you can include in your diet every day. just so you know you're covered, as your body can not produce any protein unless it has enough of those 9-11.

great sources that are actually complete proteins are:
spirulina, bee pollen ( both have 4-6 grams of complete protein/tbsp), flax seed is also a complete protein (the onion bread recipe and it's many variations is an awesome way to eat it -search for recipe on this site).
dark greens are great sources.

there are lots of other sources...like goji berries have all the essential aminos. i just feel comfortable knowing that as long as i get a couple of these in a day, i'm covered.

some people will say that's "to complicated" and raw people don't have to think about stuff like protein, but you can be malnurished raw, in the long run, if your not taking responsibility to get the basics. considering your body can not repair, grow, or rebuild cells, muscles, energy producing ezymes or your immune system unless it has all the essential amino acids i don't think it's a bad idea to consider have a few tbsp of one of these sources a day just to be covered.

i just make sure i'm getting the basics every day (i call them my staples) then the rest of food i eat can just go by how i feel.
j

[Stina]

All of your questioned are answered in-depth in Victoria Boutenko's book Green for Life. I'm getting a wide variety of leafy greens in my diet now and feel better than ever, just being high raw.