As we hit the ¾ mark of our discussion on protein, it is important to follow this last set of basic guidelines if you are interested in finding a high-quality source or protein for your health. Carefully selected raw whey proteins need to come from cattle that are not treated with antibiotics or growth hormones. It is equally important that their food sources are not riddled with herbicides and pesticides. In addition, cows should only be grass-fed, not corn-fed, as, although the corn consumption may be inexpensive, it can lead to sickness, which results in the introduction of antibiotics in some cases.
Remember the old saying, “you are what you eat”? Well, this is not only true but something critical to be aware of. We eat whatever a plant or animal ingests. This includes antibiotics and hormones that are injected into livestock and poultry. There is a wide belief that this is a major contributor to the scary reality of our growing resistance to antibiotics when treating our own illnesses. We should only be getting antibiotics or hormones from prescriptions, not from what we eat.
Glutathione and selenium found in good sources of whey protein play a large role in fighting toxins in the body. Glutathione is a critical substance for detoxifying the liver and every cell in the body. Its production depends on the availability of several amino acids, along with available iron and an important trace mineral called selenium. Together these form the enzyme glutathione peroxidase, which is one of the steps in glutathione production and boosting metabolism. When glutathione production is low, detoxification function in the liver is seriously impaired. This means the body is less able to eliminate all toxic metals, many toxic chemicals and other substances such as biological toxins.
Glutathione is needed in every cell in the body to protect cell membranes, cell proteins and DNA. It is also one of two primary ways the body detoxifies itself. Most glutathione is produced naturally in the body, but the toxins contained in most foods today diminish glutathione levels.
There are supplements available containing glutathione or glutathione-sparing nutrients. However, these nutrient supplements can be difficult for the body to absorb and may only provide minor benefits. A far better solution would be to take in glutathione in responsibly-sourced whey protein. The answer is that carefully selected whey proteins are high in the amino acid cysteine, which has been shown to significantly boost glutathione levels in the body. It is always better for the body to make more glutathione on its own instead of taking a glutathione supplement.
