Sodium caseinate is the scientific name for casein, a type of protein found in milk.
Casein is also a main component of commercial cheese since is the principal source of protein. This protein represents between 20 percent to 45 percent of the proteins in human milk and more than 80 percent of the proteins in cow’s milk. The other 20% is whey.
The main difference between casein and whey is that casein is a slow-digesting protein with anti-catabolic properties (meaning it helps reduce muscle breakdown, even in the absence of food), whereas whey is digested very quickly, making it better for a recovery meal.
It can take up to 8 hours for the human body to completely digest casein, that’s why it’s also known as the ”bedtime protein.”
Uses
It is commonly used in processed cheese, coffee creamer, snacking, liquor, and binding in processed food applications. Because of its properties, it is added to coconut-milk powders to give them a creamy-milky consistency.
Furthermore, it is occasionally used as a substitute for carbon in color modification and it removes undesirable odors of white wine. It is used in infant formulas as well. However, some have eliminated or lowered their casein content to make the formula-milk more similar to human milk.
This protein is popular as a supplement for bodybuilders and athletes since it is apparently effective at increasing muscle growth when is used in combination with resistance exercise.
Is It Vegan?
It is made from cow milk by a chemical process. Therefore, if you are a lacto-vegetarian it is ok to use but anyone following a strict vegetarian diet should avoid it, although many people on a strict vegetarian diet do not mind a small quantity of this protein in their soy cheese.
Side Effects And Dangers Of Sodium Caseinate
Kidney Damage
One potential side effect of consuming this protein is kidney damage, especially if you have any type of liver damage or kidney disease, since increasing the protein intake may lead to further damage to your kidneys and liver.
Also, individuals with liver damage are not able to process protein correctly, and a regular diet consisting of high protein may also lead to the buildup of toxic waste in the brain.
Cancer
According to studies, a diet high in animal protein (but not a regular nutrition with similar amounts of plant proteins) might increase the chances of cancer.
Furthermore, in “The China Study,” Dr. T. Colin Campbell studied the connection between the consumption of animal protein and the occurrence of cancer. What Dr. T. Colin Campbell established was that casein promoted cancer in all stages of its development. More importantly, the protein which did not support cancer development was plant-based protein.
Also, dairy products may contain growth factors, like – insulin-like growth factor I, that has been shown to promote breast cancer cell growth and contaminants, like – pesticides, that also have carcinogenic potential.
Lactose Intolerance
This protein can cause an allergic reaction and should be avoided entirely by people who are allergic to dairy. Lactose intolerance occurs when some individuals stop making lactase, an enzyme produced by many organisms which break lactose (the sugar in milk) into galactose and glucose.
Symptoms of lactose intolerance include – wheezing, hives, runny nose, vomiting, itchy skin, watery eyes, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea. This condition can appear later in life with symptoms, like – pain, bloating, diarrhea, gas, or gastroesophageal reflux.
Addiction
Casomorphin is one of the substances which form in the stomach after milk is consumed. Interestingly, casomorphins have an opioid effect. This type of addiction can be felt as an intense desire to continue to consume dairy products beyond what you know to be an appropriate level of consumption.
Osteoporosis
A high animal-based protein regular nutrition may cause calcium to leach from the bones and, ultimately, leading to osteoporosis. For example, daily consumption of large amounts of protein leads to a condition known as hypercalciuria (elevated calcium in the urine), according to a 2003 study issued in the “American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.”
More importantly, according to a review of 26 such studies, for every 40 grams of protein consumed, people pee out an extra 50 milligrams of calcium. Our body only has about 2 pounds of calcium in the skeleton, hence, the loss of 50 mg per day means a loss of about 2 percent of bone calcium a year.
Note
So why have we not all heard about these side effects of casein? Why are we still drinking milk by the gallons? Maybe because of the 100 billion dollar business called the dairy industry?
Sources
Most dairy products contain casein, such as yogurt, milk, kefir, ice cream, and cheese.
Plant-Based Foods Rich In Protein
Vegetables, nuts, legumes, and seeds are not only a good source of protein, but they are also highly healthy and sustainable too.
Moreover, plant-based foods have large amounts of both insoluble and soluble dietary fiber, therefore, you also get the benefit of a proper digestion. Lastly, whole plant-based foods are very easy for the human body to digest.
Plants high in protein include – cotton seeds, spirulina, watermelon seeds, pumpkin seeds, mustard seeds, walnuts, almonds, peanuts, sunflower seeds, flaxseeds, sesame seeds, oat bran, soybeans, chia seeds, hazelnuts, millet, pine nuts, corn, pecans, lentils, red kidney beans, mung beans, navy beans, Brussels sprouts, quinoa, or sweet potatoes.
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