Case Study - Importance of Nutrition For Kids & Teens

Even the best chef can become overwhelmed trying to please fussy eaters. Mothers know it's hard to please everyone at the dinner table, especially children. Kids can be the toughest food critics of all. In fact, small children may refuse to try a new food based solely on its appearance, smell or texture, never mind what it feels like sliding from the taste buds down into the tummy. Dinner time can become more like a "war zone" where parent battles the child who is rebelling; "I'm not eating this!"

Vegetables especially can be a hard sell. Vegetables are important for a child's nutrition too because of the nutrients, vitamins and protein. So if you live with a reluctant vegetarian who stands about 3 feet and can repeat the word "YUCK"  6 times fast, using the intonation of a 6 foot tenor star, there is still no need to worry because there are several sources and creative ways to insure your child is getting enough protein.

\"Liquid Protein\"

First, learn the facts about the important role of protein in your child's development. Teach your child the nutritional facts as well, so he/she will understand they need to take care of their important "machinery" that is growing daily and needs to take in the proper fuel. Over time, they will learn the importance of eating a healthy diet that includes vegetables. Be consistent and keep reminding them of the nutritional benefits of eating healthy foods. 

Case Study - Importance of Nutrition For Kids & Teens

So, What Are the Facts?

According to Baylor College of Medicine, healthy children between the ages of 1-3 need 0.55 grams of protein per pound of body weight. The RDA's for older kids are 0.5 grams of protein per pound for 5 and 6 year olds, 0.45 grams for children around the ages of 8 and 13, and 0.4 grams for teenage boys 18 and younger. Once girls and boys are over age 18, they require the same amount as adults.

Sources of protein are found in dairy products, grain and vegetables as well as animal products. But again, what if you live with a fussy eater who won't go for these protein sources?

Protica Research Provides another Alternative

Protica Inc developed a protein drink called Profect. Profect liquid protein comes in a variety of all natural flavors that would entice most finicky 3foot tenor singers.  Its great tasting flavors include Blue Raspberry Swirl, Grapefruit-Mango, Citrus Berry, Cool Melon Splash, Passion Fruit, Orange Pineapple, Ruby Melon Twist, and Fuzzy Peach Nectar. Your little food critic won't even know it's good for him but appreciate the great taste. You will appreciate the protein benefits of supplementing your child's diet with Profect liquid protein.  

Why Protein Shakes are good for children

Children are constantly on the move. A child's growing body requires protein to support his body organs as well as providing additional energy for burning off those bicycle rides around the neighborhood. Protein is critical for building their immune systems, controlling metabolism, repair of muscle and tissue growth, as well as providing energy when carbohydrates are not available. A protein drink, like Profect, is a delicious addition or supplement for your child's growing body and healthy lifestyle. 

A fussy eater may be hard to please, but it's possible to implement substitutes and alternatives to provide good nutrition. One way to be sure your child or teen gets enough protein in his diet is to introduce him to protein drinks or shakes. Proasis or Profect is a delicious all natural drink that tastes great, is good for you and provides protein for your diet. For pleasing your teenager or your three foot tenor, Profect or Proasis is a great choice for helping you sing a happy tune when feeding the fussy members of your family.

Coming Back from Anorexia: A Case Study

Madison started worrying about her weight at twelve, tearing pictures of models out of magazines and plastering them on her walls at home. She started skipping meals the following year after a comment about her burgeoning figure in a bathing suit. Maddie was briefly bulimic, but found that she really could not stand to throw up after a binge. Her parents, both busy professionals, often did not notice that Madison did not go into the kitchen if she could avoid it and that she rarely was seen with food at all. By the end of the winter, the then fourteen year old weighed in at 65 pounds on a 5'6" frame. Even in the summer days, she kept to baggy sweat pants and heavy tops, always complaining of being too cold.

The family finally noticed when they rented a cabin for the week. After arguing and fighting with her to do so, Madison put on shorts and a tank top to come out by the water's edge. Her parents were shocked by her appearance and took her to the doctor when they returned home.

While she promised to listen to her counselor and follow the plans that were set up for her by the doctor, Madison slipped up several times. However, after collapsing and being hospitalized with an irregular heartbeat, she is focusing on getting healthy and strong once again.

She eats small meals, each between 100 and 400 calories apiece, so that her body can get used to having food to process once again. One of the things she has added to her daily routine is a protein supplement called Profect, from Protica, which gives her 25 grams of protein per 100 calorie serving. She is slowly regaining some of the weight that she lost and will continue to see her counselor once a week until she gets to and maintains 100 pounds.

Madison no longer sits around and stares at the stick thin magazine models, choosing to find more positive role models in her life.

Case Study - Importance of Nutrition For Kids & Teens

About Protica Research

Founded in 2001, Protica, Inc. is a nutritional research firm specializing in the development of protein-rich, capsulized foods (dense nutrition in compact liquid and food forms). Protica manufactures Profect protein beverage, IsoMetric, Fruitasia and more than 100 other brands in its GMP-certified, 250,000 square foot facility.

You can learn more about Protica at http://www.protica.com

Copyright - Protica Research - http://www.protica.com

Chemotherapy and Radiation Treatments and the Need For Good Nutrition

Cancer itself may not be problematic; in fact many types of cancer can continue to grow in the body without any warning signs at all, until it is quite widespread or starts causing other organs to malfunction. For this reason, it is important that all screening test schedules be adhered to. However, even with proper screening there are times when the cancer can grow without notice. In most cases of cancers that are deemed treatable there are three courses of action which may be taken individually or in some combination with one another. These are: surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.

The side effects of both chemo and radiation can make a patient miserable and may seem like they are worse than the cancer itself. These include: nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, anemia, hair loss, fatigue, mouth ulcers and sores, yeast infections, depression and anxiety, insomnia and pain. All of these problems by themselves can be hard enough to handle, but they often all come at the same time.

\"Liquid Protein\"

In addition, you get these side effects while you are trying to cope with cancer and recovering from surgery or other treatments as well. The last thing that people who are going through this want to do is to eat, however, solid nutrition will be what gives your body and mind the strength to fight back and get back to better health.

Chemotherapy and Radiation Treatments and the Need For Good Nutrition

While each patient should follow individual recommendations from their doctor for their own care, it is generally agreed that those who are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatments for cancer care need to have increased nutrition which includes:

- Whey and other protein supplements for health and caloric boost

- Glutamine, an amino acid found in proteins

- Antioxidants

- Green tea

Whey Protein, Protein Supplements and MCT

The reasons that most cancer patients lose a lot of weight are simple: a lack of appetite, nausea and vomiting as well as diarrhea which are common side-effects and finally, the fact that a large portion of the foods that are eaten will not be absorbed properly by the body because of the chemotherapy. These three factors working together can make the chemo patient weaker and weaker and may leave them susceptible for a number of infections and other problems at their worst moment.

MCT - MCT is a highly absorbable, high calorie oil containing a fat which is a medium chain triglycerides. There are a number of different products which contain MCT, available from your health care professional who can also recommend how much of the product you should use.

Whey Protein-- Whey protein is easily absorbable and boosts the immune system in a number of ways, first by supplying immunoglobulins. Whey protein also helps to boost the optimal intake of other proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals for overall health. Glutathione is increased by whey protein. Glutathione is an antioxidant which is necessary for a healthy immune system. (See the antioxidant section for more information) Glutathione also lowers the risk of some infections and may inhibit the growth of some tumors. (Source: Badger)

Whey protein is an optimal source of amino acids, necessary for a number of the body's functions. The whey protein isolate has 90% protein but less lactose, especially beneficial for those who are lactose intolerant (Source: Segounis). In addition, whey protein is also important to prevent muscle breakdown which may be a problem in the presence of lowered caloric intake. The body, needing energy will use up the energy reserves and will then turn to the muscles for more energy, breaking them down and leaving the body even weaker.

Protein Supplements -- A lack of appetite can be a major problem. If there is a moment when you do feel hungry, you should have a snack that is handy to have when you are ready. Protein snacks and supplements include shakes, bars and liquid protein supplement shots. Protein bars should have a high amount of protein but limited sugars because the sugar, can depress an already stressed immune system.

Supplements like the liquid protein shot, is a good choice because it is portable (it comes in a virtually non-breakable plastic tube) small enough to be carried anywhere, and can be consumed in only a few seconds (it is 2.9 fluid ounces). It gives a full 25 grams of protein per serving as well.

Glutamine -- Glutamine is an important amino acid, one of many that is synthesized by the human body on its own. Adding a supplement of this amino acid can protect the cells which line the intestinal tract and can be damaged by chemotherapy or radiation treatments. (Source: Gottlieb, 2000). Before adding any type of supplement however, speak to your doctor who may have other suggestions or may disagree with their use.

Amino acids are important, and are the building blocks that many functions are built upon. The body makes a number of amino acids beyond glutamine, however, it cannot make eight of them. The eight amino acids not made by the body must come from the foods that we eat- both from animal and plant based sources.

Animal proteins are complete, meaning that they have all eight of these amino acids. Plant proteins are not complete because they typically are missing one or more of the amino acids. The only exception to this is soy protein which is complete. The eight essential amino acids are: threonine, isoleucine, leucine, valine, methionine, phenylalanine, tryptophan and lysine. In children, histadine is also needed from food sources.

Antioxidants -- Antioxidants are meant to prevent the damage of free radicals in the body. Free radicals also multiply in the body because of sun damage, smoking, poor diet and other factors. Whether antioxidants are good for cancer patients or not is a serious debate. Chemotherapy generates free radicals to destroy the cancerous cells. On one side of this debate are the doctors who believe that since antioxidants seek out and neutralize free radicals, then those who are using chemo should avoid antioxidants or at the very least not add extras to their diet. However, there are doctors who think that antioxidants not only boosts the effectiveness of the chemo or radiation treatment, but also lessens the worrisome side effects! (Source: Gottlieb, 2000)

Your own doctor may be on the opposite side of the antioxidant debate than you yourself are. You may want to present your side of the issue and work out a discussion together. Your best care depends on everyone being on the same page, working as a team.

Green Tea -- Green tea, as well as other teas can help people to feel better. It also is beneficial for its anti-cancer properties. You can drink several cups of green tea per day, either hot or cold depending on taste. In addition, you can use green tea supplements as well. Again, before starting any supplements, discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

References

Dr. Thomas Badger, the Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center

Bill Gottlieb. Alternative Cures, The Most Effective Natural Home Remedies for 160 Health Problems. Orion Press. United States of America 2000

Sofia Segounis, Nutritionist. Protein Powders truestarhealth.com

Chemotherapy and Radiation Treatments and the Need For Good Nutrition

About Protica Research

Founded in 2001, Protica, Inc. is a nutritional research firm specializing in the development of protein-rich, capsulized foods (dense nutrition in compact liquid and food forms). Protica manufactures Profect protein beverage, IsoMetric, Fruitasia and more than 100 other brands in its GMP-certified, 250,000 square foot facility.

You can learn more about Protica at http://www.protica.com

Copyright - Protica Research - http://www.protica.com

Case Study - A Different Look at Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factors and Nutrition

The leading cause of both death and disability in the United States is coronary heart disease, accounting for about 40% of all deaths. A million new cases of coronary heart disease are diagnosed every year as well. There are many forms of coronary heart disease, including myocardial infarction and angina pectoris, both caused most typically by veins and arteries that are blocked off and narrowed by deposits called plaque. Known medically as atherosclerosis, this blockage prevents oxygen-rich blood from making it to the heart or can block off blood flow to other areas of the body, including the brain. This reduced flow of blood to the brain can result in a cerebral vascular accident, commonly referred to as a stroke.

There are four major types of risk factors for coronary heart disease, some that can be changed and some that cannot. These four types include bodily characteristics, health habits, community, lifestyle and cultural factors and personality. Each of these four categories includes several sub-headings that should be considered individually to assess the real risk of coronary heart disease.

\"Liquid Protein\"

Bodily Characteristics

Case Study - A Different Look at Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factors and Nutrition

These include age, hypertension (high blood pressure), cholesterol, obesity and heredity. Of these, hypertension, cholesterol and obesity are changeable, while age and heredity are obviously not something that can be changed by anyone. Obesity may be the most important factor to change because it can influence the others positively. For instance, even a small reduction in weight can lower the cholesterol level as well as the blood pressure.

Gender is an important consideration as well. Coronary heart disease is a major killer of men starting at age 39, and for women the increased risk begins at 66. Women will often have chest pain for a very long time before they suffer an actual heart attack, but theirs will more likely be fatal. (For women, the rule is typically one and done, while the opposite is true for men). It is generally accepted that if a man is having any chest pains, he is already actively having a heart attack. It is also important to note that some of the accepted tests for heart disease may miss clues in women because of differences in the way that their arteries and veins are made.

Stress and Personal Life Styles

Although coronary heart disease is still the leading cause of death in the United States, the rate of death has decreased roughly 35% in the last forty years and is progressively decreasing. There are several factors that influence this progress, including better education about general good health. There are several studies that have been done in regard to personality types as well - identifying the Type A personality (high stress, hurried, competitive and hostile) which is at a high rate for heart attack and the Type B personality, which is more relaxed and less at risk.

Although most people assume that it is the stress that is the impetus for heart disease, it is not the case. Hostility is a bigger factor for determining the risk factors for coronary heart disease, with the more hostile people at higher risk for having a fatal heart episode.

Can Loneliness Cause Heart Disease?

Having a support system and social network can help to alleviate some of the stress that is felt through life, whether or not it is a typical stressor or something more serious. Support that is given by a woman has been shown by studies to have more impact on good health than that of a man, regardless of who is getting the support. Another study showed that pet owners had lower rates of coronary heart disease as well as lower blood pressure than non-pet owners.

Hypertension

The number of adults who are considered to have pre-hypertension is 20% of the population in the United States. Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a major factor for coronary heart disease and is considered by most to be one of the most common and leading causes to consider. Chronic anger and stress can raise hypertension in many people, especially for those who are more susceptible to it. (Type A personalities, for example).

Finding ways to reduce stress and to accept the stress that cannot be changed is important not only to physical health but to mental health as well. However, one of the most common sources of stress seems to be the workplace.

Reducing Risks of Coronary Heart Disease: A Case Study

Beth is 68, and her son, Bret, is 38. Both have been diagnosed with heart disease and both have been directed by their doctors to make changes in their lifestyle and to reduce their risk factors as much as possible. Beth is twenty pounds over her optimal weight, while her son is fifty pounds over his own. Neither of them is very active any more, although they both enjoyed golf, bowling and tennis in the past. Neither of them is a smoker, which is a plus; however, both of them have major stress in their lives. Beth just retired from a job that she enjoyed and she finds herself lonely most of the day, unable to figure out what to do with her newfound time. Bret, on the other hand, has been very busy, trying to find a new job because he loathes the man that he works with, he loathes his office and he loathes his job in general.

The first step for mother and son is finding a new dietary plan and returning to exercise. Tennis is not on the horizon quite yet, however, but golf and bowling might be enough for right now. They are both going to reduce the amount of red meat that they eat and eliminate all simple carbohydrates from their diet. They are also going to swap out their fat sources for healthier fats, including Omega-3 fatty acids.

Bret is not as dedicated as his mother and she is soon well on the way to her goals. Her weight is down by fifteen pounds, and her blood pressure and cholesterol levels are within normal limits. She has moved beyond the weekly golf games and bowling with her son and added daily walks; one day a week she adds a jog for the last part of her walk, adding a little more distance every day as she gets stronger and stronger. Beth's last five pounds are no longer a problem, as they are now healthy, lean muscle mass instead of flab.

Both Bret and Beth have added a liquid protein supplement to their daily diet as well, with Bret using his as a between-meal snack and Beth using hers as a meal replacement. (She is smaller and does not need to eat as much as her son.) The liquid protein shot gives them both 25 grams of protein per serving, 100 calories and the whole day's worth of vitamin C. They each have their favorite flavor and have their rituals to consume them. Bret always has his on the way back to the office after lunch, while Beth has hers in the park after her walk/jog on sunny days.

Case Study - A Different Look at Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factors and Nutrition

About Protica Research

Founded in 2001, Protica, Inc. is a nutritional research firm specializing in the development of protein-rich, capsulized foods (dense nutrition in compact liquid and food forms). Protica manufactures Profect protein beverage, IsoMetric, Fruitasia and more than 100 other brands in its GMP-certified, 250,000 square foot facility.

You can learn more about Protica at http://www.protica.com

Copyright - Protica Research - http://www.protica.com