Animal and Plant Protein Sources and Cardiometabolic Health

Abstract

The sources or types of protein in the diet have long been overlooked regarding their link to cardiometabolic health. The picture is complicated by the fact that animal and plant proteins are consumed along with other nutrients and substances which make up the “protein package” so plant and animal protein come with clear nutrient clusters. This review aimed at deciphering the relation between plant and animal protein and cardiometabolic health by examining different nutritional levels (such as amino acids, protein type, protein foods, protein patterns, and associated overall dietary and nutrient patterns) and varying levels of scientific evidence [basic science, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), observational data]. Plant protein in Western countries is a robust marker of nutrient adequacy of the diet, whereas the contribution of animal protein is highly heterogeneous. Yet recent data from large cohorts have confirmed that total and animal proteins are associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, even when fully adjusting for lifestyle and dietary or nutritional factors. Here again, there is marked variability depending on the type of animal protein. Protein from processed red meat and total red meat on the one hand, and from legumes, nuts, and seeds on the other, are often reported at the extremes of the risk range. RCTs using purified proteins have contributed little to the topic to date, inasmuch as the findings cannot readily be extrapolated to current or near-future diets, but RCTs studying whole protein foods have shown a beneficial effect of pulses. Despite the fact that many of the benefits of plant protein reported in observational or interventional studies may stem from the protein package that they convey and the nutrients that they displace, there are also important indications that protein per se may affect cardiometabolic health via the many amino acids that are present in typically contrasting levels in plant compared with animal proteins.

Dietary Protein and Amino Acids in Vegetarian Diets—A Review

“…There are, however, numerous findings in the recent literature which indicate that a higher plant protein intake and lower intake of some animal proteins likely contribute to the lower risk of disease associated with vegetarian diets [101,102,103,104]. We recently reviewed this evidence [105] and argued that this potential benefit of a higher plant protein intake probably stems from the cluster of nutrient intakes that are closely associated with plant protein [11,106] and also from a different pattern of amino acid intake, with higher contributions from non-indispensable amino acids (such as arginine and cysteine) and lower contributions from indispensable amino acids such as BCAA. In a recent study, we found that pattern of amino acids intake that are contributed by indispensable amino acids intake (vs. those contributed by so-called non-indispensable amino acids) are indeed strongly associated with cardiovascular mortality [107].…”

“…In a recent study, we found that pattern of amino acids intake that are contributed by indispensable amino acids intake (vs. those contributed by so-called non-indispensable amino acids) are indeed strongly associated with cardiovascular mortality [107]. This scenario warrants further research to reevaluate the traditionally stated, and probably overrated, importance of indispensable amino acids when plant-based diets are considered in the context of health and disease in the populations of industrialized countries [105]. Indeed, the question of nutritional quality for protein rich foods has been long restricted to the ability to provide indispensable amino acids, whereas plant protein sources are considered critical to overall diet quality and long-term health, calling for a modernized definition of protein quality that incorporates the quality of health and environmental outcomes associated with specific food sources of protein [100].…”

Associations between Dietary Animal and Plant Protein Intake and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors—A Cross-Sectional Study in China Health and Nutrition Survey

“…In addition, available data for the associations between dietary animal and plant protein intake and glucose homeostasis biomarkers [ 17 , 19 ], low-grade inflammatory biomarkers [ 20 , 21 ], and uric acid [ 20 , 22 ] also have heterogeneous findings. Research suggests that the inconsistency may be partially driven by the differential background dietary patterns of study participants [ 23 ]. The majority of the available studies have focused on populations with habitual animal-based dietary patterns, such as the western diet.…”

Plant Proteins as Healthy, Sustainable and Integrative Meat Alternates

“…account for high risks; purified protein (e.g. soy protein isolates) ingredients on higher consumption (∼35 g/d) has a negative impact on blood lipids and blood pressure, while lower dose of soy protein (say, < 25 g/d) shows no remarkable effect [14]. Thus, both animal and plant proteins has their own influence over the consumers, where quantity and type of nutrient are important.…”