Nutritional standpoint of the applicability of the food Almased in the parameters of protein modified diet.

Prof. Dr. Michael Hamm, Diet scientist and professor at the Fachhochschule Hamburg and author of multiple books for dieting and lifestyle.

Your muscles however, are the most important part of the body for the conversion of energy. An improper body weight/body composition caused by poor nutrition is a combination of approximately 75% fat and 25% fat free body mass. The latter consists of water and a minimal amount of protein (approximately 3%).

Accordingly, weight loss in this combination is desirable. However, especially with quick weight loss, this goal is unattainable. With the complete interruption of energy supply – the so-called zero diet – the loss of fat is rather small. Instead, you lose additional body protein. An optimum reduction diet can be put together with relatively small amounts of biologically high quality protein, which will stop the loss of the body’s protein.

While simultaneously adding food carbohydrates the protein balance can be significantly improved, i.e. ensure the protein level. The study group of Ditschuneit and Wechsler calculated a daily protein supply of 50g together with 25g of carbohydrates.

If one analyzes the historical development of fasting over the last 4000 years one sees, that from the beginning diets with complete nutrition using protein supplementation were used. Well known, in regards to this, are the so-called “Molkekuren” (whey diets), which add high quality protein combined with high fluid intake.

Protein saving, modified fasting
Nowadays, the formerly often practiced complete fasting has been mostly substituted with a protein-supplemented diet. It is called modified fasting, protein-supplement fasting, or protein saving fasting. Contrary to the zero-diet, the addition of nutritional protein is supposed to counteract the loss of body protein, which is quite substantial.

The average weight loss of modified fasting and complete fasting shows no difference. However, it is important that contrary to the zero-diet the fat percentage of the weight loss is significantly higher, whereas the loss of protein only counts for a small amount.

In addition, the long-term success of weight reduction (stabilization) is ensured through physical activity. In the book “Nutritional Medicine and Diet” the advantages related to modified fasting with protein supplementation are summarized:

• Protein level is well balanced
• Diet treatment does not have to be interrupted until one reaches the ideal weight
• The patient has a sensation of satiety
• The overall well being and the overall performance ability during treatment are significantly higher than with the zero diet
• Complete protein, albumin, and creatine stay mostly constant in the blood, contrary to total fasting. Hyperlipidemiesis will be lowered more and uric acid rises less (Kasper, 1996, page 238/239)
  

Hence it follows that in addition to drinking plenty of fluids (3 liters per day), a sufficiently high and biologically first-rate quality protein assortment, with simultaneous strict fat reduction, is the best plan for successful weight regulation, and has a positive effect on the body composition at the same time. (reduction of body fat percentage while maintaining protein levels)
Besides the combination of protein-carbohydrates, the essential micronutrients like vitamins, quantity elements and trace elements require careful consideration.
A food product composed accordingly can contribute this required nutritive substance during the weight reduction phase. However, it is important that enough instruction and stimulation are provided to insure that the positive diet and fitness behaviors acquired during the modified fast will be permanent.

Suitability of Almased in the parameter of protein substitute fasting
The food Almased contains biologically high quality, and through a patented process in combination with honey enzymes, easily digestible soy protein and milk protein. Therefore, Almased accomplishes the requirements of protein-substituted fasting in an ideal fashion. This pertains to the necessary amount of protein as well as to the quality.

Almased is excellently suited to accomplish protein-substituted fasting (also in combination with diet instructions). Because of the nutritional principal and the high percentage of soy protein, considering the total amount of protein, we can also expect preventative health advantages.
In an actual study (Miller et al. 2001), first signs of improvements on 12 overweight people were seen in the pro-atherogen parameters of the fat metabolism.

Literature:

1. Barth, C. A. et al.: Untergewicht und Hungerstoffwechsel in Ernährungsmedizin (Underweight and Hunger metabolism in nutritional medicine) (Publisher Biesalski, H. K. et al.) page 270-277, Stuttgart 1999 .
   
2. Eimadfa, I.: Leitzmann, C.: Ernährung des Menschen (nutrition for people). Stuttgart 1998
   
3. Ditschuneit, H.: Wechsler, J.G.: (Publisher): Das modifizierte Fasten (modified fasting). Baden-Baden 1981.
   
4. Ditschuneit, H. et al.: Welche Reduktionsdiät? (Which reduction diet?) In: Deutsches Ärzteblatt 90, Heft 27 (1993) C-1274-1279
   
5. Hamm, M.: Schlank und gesund ohne Diät (slender and healthy without diet), München 1997.
   
6. Kasper, H.: Ernährungsmedizin und Diätetik (nutritional medicine and dietetic). München 1996.
   
7. Müller, H. M. et al.: Einfluss einer definierten Reduktionsdiät auf Körperkomposition, Stoffwechsel und Entzündungsreaktion (influence of a defined reduction diet on body composition, metabolism and infection reaction). In Deutsche Zeitschrift für Sportmedizin 52 (2001) Nr. 1
   
8. Wechsler, J. G. et al.: Proteinverlust bei Adipositas während Gewichtsreduktion (loss of protein with Adipositas during weight reduction). Erlangen 1984
   
9. Wirth, A.: Adipositas. Berlin 1997
   

Post -Apotheke Pharmacy, Hamburg, 2001

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