The Fatty Acid-Protein Connection

The Fatty Acid-Protein Connection

The essential amino acids from which protein is made and the essential fatty acids (EFA) work together in our bodies to produce life's energies. They are indispensable to each other and are synergetic - meaning they achieve an effect greater than the sum of their individual effects.

They combine to form new compounds. Together they form lipoproteins, a whole family of organic compounds that make up every part of our bodies.

Lipoproteins: For example, phospholipids form the cell membranes of every cell in our bodies. Other lipoproteins form the hemoglobin in our blood and are responsible for moving fats throughout our body.

Every one of these elements are made from amino acids and essential fatty acids. Without essential fatty acids, the cells in our bodies don't form right!

The importance of balancing protein with the Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs): Getting enough good protein isn't a problem as we in North America get on average 2 to 3 times our required amounts. In fact, we can `overdose' on protein. (It is possible to get too much of just about any good thing.)

As we eat too much protein, and reduce our EFA intake, the toxicity of the protein rises. As we ingest more EFAs, the toxicity decreases. This is because without the EFAs, there isn't anything our body can do with the extra protein and it causes us problems. This has been known for over a hundred years.

A researcher by the name of Lebedow in 1888 discovered when he fed starving dogs either 100% protein or 100% fat, they died quicker than if they had been fed nothing. But when he fed them protein and fat, they quickly recovered. Protein and good fat must work together to perform their magic within us. For good health they are inseparable.

Stress and the protein/fat connection
Dealing with stress in a positive way has everything to do with the protein/fat connection. Our life energy flows within this union.

As we go into stressful situations, our need for balanced protein/EFA nutrients increase. And to metabolize them, our need for the other essential nutrients increases also. In our busy, fast moving society, stress comes from many directions.

Our bodies are uniquely designed to deal with large amounts of stress, and normally maintains a reservoir of potential energy for such times. In dealing with prolonged, high stress situations, however, sometimes that reserve of energy runs out.

During such times, we may look in all the wrong places to find answers for our inability to cope and should be looking inside ourselves rather than outside ourselves for answers. It just never occurs to us that the symptoms may be caused by an internal chemical imbalance.

As I stated at the beginning of this page, most of us already get plenty of protein. But we do have a great need to get our requirement of essential fatty acids.