Aids HIV FAQ

Albumin levels—and optimal protien

Question:

Thanks Michael. PS, re the whey, I’ve recently bought a product called Molkosan, which is concentrated whey – a clear, slightly bitter liquid, recommended as 1 teaspoon per day for 2-3 months with lactobacillus acidophilus to reintroduce the "good" bacteria and help crowd out any harmful ones. The whey has been "lactofermented" and is very rich in lactic acid, but no mention made of lactose. Your comments? Bryan

Response:

> Thanks Michael. PS, re the whey, I’ve recently bought a product called > Molkosan, which is concentrated whey – a clear, slightly bitter liquid, > recommended as 1 teaspoon per day for 2-3 months with lactobacillus > acidophilus to reintroduce the "good" bacteria and help crowd out any > harmful ones. The whey has been "lactofermented" and is very rich in lactic > acid, but no mention made of lactose. Your comments? > Bryan

        Whey is supposedly very good for aiding beneficial bacterias.  It also contains immunoglobulins and other protiens that can stimulate the immune system.  A western docs point of view would be that this is bad because you don’t want an "overactive immune system".—I don’t quite accept this veiw.  A strong immune system that is well modulated is the best, not a weak one.  I feel that If you can tolerate it, it will help you in the long run.  There are other things that aid benefical bacteria.  These aids are colostrum (much like whey), inulin, FOS powder, vitamin B12 and B5  (growth stimulants), lactose, and lactulose.  Unfortuately, lactose is not tolerated by everyone.  I can’t tolerate it anymore.           Anyway, You need to check the Carbohydrate content of the Whey.  It usually has 1-2 grams perserving tops.  If it has more, it probably has a lot of lactose or some other sugars added.  Not all wheys are created equal.  I won’t get into detail b/c all that stuff about ionized and cross-micro-filteration just makes me cross eyed.  Every company who makes whey, claims their product is the best form.  It is soooo confusing!!  You might have to guess and test.  If you get very gassy from it you know it should be avoided.         The next confusing thing to me is the issue of how they processed the whey.  I heard that traces of hexane are found in whey protein.  Well… That’s a whole different animal.           I was doing designer protein for a while.  It is quite bland but I had the fewest problems.  THen I found a 5 gallon jug of vanilla cream whey of another brand.  It tasted good, but left me sooooo gassy.  I could have supplied Exxon and Mobil and put everyone out of business.–Ha ha =)…  Again pick one that you can tolerate.  I now use egg protien b/c it offers the highest concentration of protien per scoop and I am weary of trying the wheys again. ——Michael Corbett

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> Does anyone know whether eating egg albumin (cooked or boiled) will help to > increase low serum albumin levels? Chris’s doc said the very low serum > albumin is typical of IBD and is the most likely contributor or cause of the > swollen ankles (which he said the prednisone would sort out, because it’s > arthritically-related to flare-ups). > Does anyone know what other complications can arise from low serum albumin > levels? > Bryan

Dear Bryan,         Yes!! Eating egg albumin will help increase albumin levels.  However, consuming other protiens will also increase albumins.  Prednisone significantly increases the breakdown of protiens in the body.  You need to up the protien ante.  I know for example with exercise you need one gram of protien per kg of body mass.  Triathletes can consume as much as 2 x the amount of protien.  –And diseased states, well… It is very high.  It can be as much protien as your body weight.  HIgh protein diets are essential for this condition.         Most people start the day with very low protein.  You can’t absorb all the protein in one meal.  You need several small meals each with about 25-35 grams.  It is also important to note absorbsion of protien is hindered with these diseases.  You need to perhaps invest in a multi-enzyme with each meal.         Here is an example of optimal protien spread out through the day-the rest of my diet includes other things like raw veggies which:         1) breakfast:  sardines  1-2 cans  17 grams per can                                         1 scoop egg protien w/ rice milk = 25 grams                                          high protien veggie juice mix= 5-6 grams                                         47-64 grams         2) Lunch: canned salmon 1/2 can=  30 grams         veggie jucie 2 grams (carrot celery)  = 32 grams total         3) veggie juice = 2 grams         4) fillet of salmon:  30-40 grams         total daily protein=  122-149         body weight:  177 *****  Note: I was still slightly low at times in albumin levels when I fall on the low end.  My albumin levels have been borderline.  –And this I consider to be quite a bit of protien.  I consumed sometimes as much as 200 grams.  It is difficult.  One might need  to invest in a protien powder such as egg and whey.  Be careful with whey becase some contain high lactose. —Michael Corbett

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