Michael Greger M.D. FACLM November 9th, 2012 Volume 11
Why is the intake of animal protein associated with heart disease—even independent of saturated fat—and the intake of plant protein protective?
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We know that the quality and quantity of fat is tightly correlated with the risk of our #1 killer—heart disease. But, what about protein? Out of Harvard recently: “Dietary protein and risk of ischemic heart disease in middle-aged men.”
Independent of source, and independent of fat, do you think total protein intake was associated with more heart disease? Less heart disease? Or, no difference? And, the answer they found was, no difference. The quantity didn’t seem to matter.
But, what about the quality—the source of the protein?
“[They] observed no association between [total] dietary protein and risk of total [heart disease] in this group of men. However, higher intake of animal protein may be associated with an increased risk of [ischemic heart disease] in ‘healthy’ men” [meaning those without hypertension, high cholesterol or diabetes].” “Healthy” only in quotes though, given their higher risk of heart disease, due to their consumption of animal protein.
They also observed “a significant inverse association between higher vegetable protein intake and risk of fatal heart disease.” So, more plants; less heart disease. Meaning, the more plants, and fewer animals, one eats would appear to be better for the heart—even independent of the fat issue.
So, the benefits of a plant-based diet may extend beyond just avoiding saturated animal fat.
But, isn’t protein just protein, though? I mean, how does your body know if it’s coming from a plant, or an animal? Well, proteins are made up of a string of amino acids, and there are some amino acids more common in plants than in animals—particularly glutamic acid, which a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association was found, for example, to potentially “have independent [blood pressure]-lowering effects, which may contribute to the inverse relation [between] vegetable protein to [blood pressure],”—meaning high plants; low pressure.
Their data “generally reinforce current recommendations for a high intake of vegetable products as a part of comprehensive nutritional/lifestyle approaches to preventing and controlling major established cardiovascular risk factors and epidemic cardiovascular disease.”
