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concentration of insoluble polysaccharides. Nevertheless, there are growing concerns about the high levels of saturated fat and cholesterol in animal foods that are
associated with the development of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, leading
dieters and organizations to recommend a more varied diet rich in vegetable proteins. A diet rich in protein, from 1.2 to 1.6 g protein /kg/day, may improve the
regulation of body weight (Skov et al. 1999; Larsen et al. 2010; Austin et al.
2011). Protein-rich diets also seem to complement other strategies, such as reducing energy and physical activity, to combat the global obesity epidemic (Leidy
et al. 2015). Because obesity is an independent risk factor for type 2 diabetes
(T2D), higher doses of proteins for mass regulation and maintenance may also be
beneficial for the prevention of T2D (Shang et al. 2016). Although the total
amount of protein can be important, the source of protein affects other diet components, such as dietary fiber and micronutrients. According to Song et al. (2016)
and Møller et al. (2017) protein sources will probably be an important determinant of health. In the last few years, a high-protein diet was recommended to regulate body weight. However, the potential health risks of these diets are still
uncertain. In the last few years, a high-protein diet was recommended to regulate
body weight. However, the potential health risks of these diets are still uncertain.
Møller et al. (2017) investigated this aspect based on the amount and source of the
protein and the study of the compound’s result with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c)
and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The analysis were performed on
the basis of three population studies included in the PREVIEW project
(PREVEMENT of diabetes through lifestyle Intervention and population studies
in Europe and around the world): ‘NQplus’, ‘Lifelines’ and ‘Young Finns’. The
protein effect was assessed on the basis of two components: (1) percentage of
total energy protein and (2) the ratio of vegetable protein to animal protein. A
positive association was found between protein and eGFR results in Lifelines
lines (slope 0.17–0.02 ml/min/1.73 m2, p < 0.0001). Thus, protein evaluation can
be a useful tool to assess both the impact of the amount and the source of the protein on health parameters. However, further research is needed to confirm this
newly developed protein assessment. Therefore, the source of protein will probably continue to be an important determinant of health (Reckling et al. 2016; Song
et al. 2016). American nutritional guidelines suggest switching to a diet more
based on foods of plant origin (Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015–2020).
Vegetable diets provide many phytochemicals that have been associated with protection against many chronic diseases. However, when compared to animal proteins, plant proteins lack sufficient amounts of essential amino acids. The optimal
ratio of plants to animal protein in the diet has not yet been determined. Møller
et al. (2017) developed a new protein diet using cross-sectional data from three
large European population studies. It has been proven that both the amount and
source of proteins (the ratio of vegetable protein to animal protein) are determinant factors affecting HbA1c and eGFR. However, further research is necessary to
clarify the usefulness of the protein result in long-term population studies, as well
as in other health conditions.
B. Sawicka et al.
concentration of insoluble polysaccharides. Nevertheless, there are growing concerns about the high levels of saturated fat and cholesterol in animal foods that are
associated with the development of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, leading
dieters and organizations to recommend a more varied diet rich in vegetable proteins. A diet rich in protein, from 1.2 to 1.6 g protein /kg/day, may improve the
regulation of body weight (Skov et al. 1999; Larsen et al. 2010; Austin et al.
2011). Protein-rich diets also seem to complement other strategies, such as reducing energy and physical activity, to combat the global obesity epidemic (Leidy
et al. 2015). Because obesity is an independent risk factor for type 2 diabetes
(T2D), higher doses of proteins for mass regulation and maintenance may also be
beneficial for the prevention of T2D (Shang et al. 2016). Although the total
amount of protein can be important, the source of protein affects other diet components, such as dietary fiber and micronutrients. According to Song et al. (2016)
and Møller et al. (2017) protein sources will probably be an important determinant of health. In the last few years, a high-protein diet was recommended to regulate body weight. However, the potential health risks of these diets are still
uncertain. In the last few years, a high-protein diet was recommended to regulate
body weight. However, the potential health risks of these diets are still uncertain.
Møller et al. (2017) investigated this aspect based on the amount and source of the
protein and the study of the compound’s result with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c)
and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The analysis were performed on
the basis of three population studies included in the PREVIEW project
(PREVEMENT of diabetes through lifestyle Intervention and population studies
in Europe and around the world): ‘NQplus’, ‘Lifelines’ and ‘Young Finns’. The
protein effect was assessed on the basis of two components: (1) percentage of
total energy protein and (2) the ratio of vegetable protein to animal protein. A
positive association was found between protein and eGFR results in Lifelines
lines (slope 0.17–0.02 ml/min/1.73 m2, p < 0.0001). Thus, protein evaluation can
be a useful tool to assess both the impact of the amount and the source of the protein on health parameters. However, further research is needed to confirm this
newly developed protein assessment. Therefore, the source of protein will probably continue to be an important determinant of health (Reckling et al. 2016; Song
et al. 2016). American nutritional guidelines suggest switching to a diet more
based on foods of plant origin (Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015–2020).
Vegetable diets provide many phytochemicals that have been associated with protection against many chronic diseases. However, when compared to animal proteins, plant proteins lack sufficient amounts of essential amino acids. The optimal
ratio of plants to animal protein in the diet has not yet been determined. Møller
et al. (2017) developed a new protein diet using cross-sectional data from three
large European population studies. It has been proven that both the amount and
source of proteins (the ratio of vegetable protein to animal protein) are determinant factors affecting HbA1c and eGFR. However, further research is necessary to
clarify the usefulness of the protein result in long-term population studies, as well
as in other health conditions.
B. Sawicka et al.