A study published in February 2024 in the journal Nature Metabolism drew an association between dietary protein intake and the risk of cardiovascular problems. However, a closer look at the details of the study reveals flawed methodologies that undermine the researcher's conclusions.
Unsurprisingly, despite the weaknesses of the study, the media rushed to publish headlines about a link between arterial plaque and protein.
Today, we'll take a closer look at this study, identify where it went wrong, and discuss what it can teach us about the Medical Establishment. Savers will surely notice the parallels between this flawed study, osteoporosis, and Big Pharma.
A Study On Protein And Arteries
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh conducted a study concluding that consuming more than 22% of dietary calories from protein can lead to increased atherosclerotic plaque and a higher risk of cardiovascular problems. They linked the increase in atherosclerosis, or stiff, hardened arteries, to the amino acid leucine.
The researchers observed that leucine impeded immune cells called macrophages tasked with removing debris from arteries. The breakdown of macrophage function causes buildup that hardens arteries.
The study had multiple phases, including small human trials, studies with mice, and laboratory experiments using cells in petri dishes.
In the first experiments, the researchers observed the dose-response relationship between consuming protein and the functioning of immune cells. Participants in one study received liquid meals with differing amounts of protein. In another study, participants received either high or low-protein mixed meals.
The scientists used blood tests to measure changes in participants' immune cells and found that the higher-protein groups had impaired macrophage function.
To isolate the impact of specific amino acids the study authors conducted in vitro studies, observing the impact of those amino acids on immune cells in the laboratory. Then they tested their findings using the cells of mice, before completing studies with living mice. In the mice, they also found that increasing leucine levels past a certain point impaired the functioning of immune cells and increased arterial plaque.
Synopsis
Researchers in Pittsburgh conducted a series of experiments with human participants, mice, and immune cells observed in vitro. They observed a dose-dependent relationship between the amino acid leucine and macrophage function that resulted in hardened arteries.
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Overlooked Details Undermine Study Results
This complex study goes to great lengths to associate dietary protein with arterial plaque. However, considering that diet was one of the subjects of the study, it is surprising that the researchers didn't pay more attention to that element. While good studies control for as many variables as possible, the liquid protein meal chosen by the researchers introduced a significant number of variables.
The portion of the study's “liquid diet” responsible for introducing protein was a product called Boost Plus. However, this protein supplement beverage contains far more than just the protein. The ingredient list includes the following.
- Water
- Glucose Syrup
- Sugar
- Vegetable Oil (Canola, High Oleic Sunflower, Corn)
- Milk Protein Concentrate,
- Soy Protein Isolate
- Calcium Caseinate
- Sodium Caseinate
- Vitamins And Minerals
- Gum Acacia
- Fructooligosaccharides
- Inulin (From Chicory)
- Soy Lecithin
- Salt
- Natural And Artificial Flavor
- Carrageenan
The researchers mixed the Boost Plus with other processed food compounds, including Unjury (a commercial protein isolate product), non-fat dry milk powder, and Sol Carb (a commercial nutritional carbohydrate polymer made from genetically-modified corn).
They combined these elements in different amounts to create higher and lower protein meals for participants. However, using Boost Plus as a source of protein overlooks all of the other ingredients included in that drink.
In essence, the study is flawed as it did not isolate the protein, so it’s impossible to identify the true cause of the biological changes that took place during the study,
When the researchers conducted a follow-up study using whole foods instead of processed beverages, they liquified the foods. This allowed them to create exact percentages of different food sources in each “meal”, and include unspecified ingredients such as “fats” or “broth”. This “real meal” hardly resembles any meal eaten by a normal person in real life.
These collections of highly processed foods likely had a variety of negative impacts on participants. However, this study did not isolate the variable they hoped to observe. As a result, this study draws dubious conclusions.
Synopsis
The study used a commercially produced protein supplement beverage as a source of protein. To observe the impact of eating more protein they increased the amount of this beverage in each meal. However, the beverage contains a long list of other ingredients. We cannot conclude that protein alone caused the study’s results, as other ingredients were also included.
Not Every Headline Is Trustworthy
This study may contain valuable observations about the impact of the amino-acid leucine on the functioning of immune cells in the cardiovascular system. However, the overall assertions of the researchers, and the headlines they inspired in the media, don't reflect that level of technical detail.
A typical article covering this study would trumpet a new link between eating protein and hardening arteries. They might provide the detail that the effects were observed once 22% of the calories in participants' diets came from protein. But without reading the whole study you wouldn't know about the liquid meals made from compounds and powders, or the liquified version of “real meals”. Neither of those are likely to resemble any meal you've prepared at home.
The Medical Establishment has a tendency to value attention-grabbing headlines, so it's important to take a closer look at flashy news stories about health and wellness.
The history of osteoporosis contains many such instances in which the story the Medical Establishment tells doesn't bear much resemblance to reality.
Take for example the over-insistence on bone mineral density as the single most important measurement of bone health. In truth, there are many other factors that make you more or less likely to break a bone. However, BMD is a diagnostic tool that Big Pharma could use to prescribe more osteoporosis drugs. The story created by the Medical Establishment served Big Pharma, instead of serving us.
What This Means To You
Become your own best advocate as you navigate health and wellness information. Look beyond the headlines and seek out trusted sources to keep your knowledge up-to-date. The more you learn, the easier it will become to recognize suspicious headlines and to dig deeper.
The Osteoporosis Reversal Program is not based on any one study. It's built on decades of studies by countless scientists, and confirmed by the experience of Savers.
You can take a simple, common-sense approach to improving your health and strengthening your bones without drugs. The changes you make along the way will positively transform your life and how you live it.
I eat a high protein diet, at least 1.5 mg/kg. I feel more prepared to defend it after reading this article. Thank-you. Leucine may be the strongest activator of mTOR, but it is also the strongest activator of muscle protein synthesis. As a senior, I want MPS activated.
Very good analysis. Well it almost looks as if they fed them Mc Donald’s food for the test! Having studied to get a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, I was amazed at so little insight and power of reflection the graduate students had, just following the thesis director instruction, no questions asked. Only caring if he is famous or not…
Thank you for your power of reasoning ! And sharing it too.
You’re very welcome! It’s my pleasure to share relevant health information while focusing on natural health (and truth!), Luc!
Thank you . Ita.
My pleasure, Ita!
I agree entirely with this article. The “liquid protein” was nothing of the sort, but a concoction of fake nutrients and quite frankly, industrial waste. It reads more like what they now feed cattle in feedlots. Why didn’t they use 100% real animal protein from grass fed animals? There’s a push to put us off eating animal products and take up fake meat and a plant based diet. So is it to make us ill or engineer the end of farming? There’s plenty of research out there showing that it’s too many carbs/glucose and too much industrialised vegetable oils in processed food, causing inflammation and malfunction of our digestive systems.
I’ve been a successful participant for some years on the Save Our Bones programmes and, at 81, I walk strong and tall on Vivian’s guidelines. I’ve confounded my GP on my bone and general health and regular tests have shown that I reversed my bone health back into the safe zone. I’ve never had to take any medication.
You’re spot on, Jilli! And congratulations on reversing osteoporosis by following the program and without taking osteoporosis drugs!
Most studies aren’t honest and shouldn’t be trusted. Scientists can make any study look just like what their stakeholders want them to be. Anything for a buck, so follow the money.
That’s why we have to dive deep into the information provided in the study and the sources and methodology 🙂