Gelatin > Whey

Also see:
Thyroid peroxidase activity is inhibited by amino acids
Whey, Tryptophan, & Serotonin
Tryptophan, Fatigue, Training, and Performance
Carbohydrate Lowers Free Tryptophan
Protective Glycine
Calcium to Phosphorus Ratio, PTH, and Bone Health

“A high protein diet, of about 100 grams of good protein daily, is protective, and protein deficiency is a common cause of hypothyroidism. But too much emphasis on the muscle meats, including fish fillets, chicken breast or legs, and the usual steak and chops, can be anti-thyroid by providing too much tryptophan. That can be offset by using gelatin liberally (chicken soup and ox-tail soup contains lots of gelatin from the bones and connective tissues), because gelatin contains no tryptophan. Whey, which is sold as a protein supplement, and egg whites contain too much tryptophan and can be antithyroid if used excessively.” -Ray Peat, PhD from “Thyroiditis. Some confusions and causes of “autoimmune disease””

In western society, when you talk protein most people think of meats like steak or chicken breasts or if the subject is supplementation you might think of whey protein. No one talks about gelatin, and it may be one of the most beneficial protein sources to add to your nutrition plan (particularly if you’re an adult).

Meat comes from the animals muscle or organs while gelatin is made from the connective tissue of the animal. Because our ancestors ate the entire animal, their diets were likely more gelatin rich than the modern diet. The consequences of over consumption of meat in the modern diet are rarely considered.

Meats, whey protein, and eggs whites contains inflammatory amino acids such as cysteine, histadine, methionine, and tryptophan in abundance which act as precursors to substances that promote stress, inflammation, and poor metabolism in adults. Gelatin, on the other hand, either lacks these amino acids or has them in small quantities. Gelatin is rich in anti-inflammatory amino acids such a glycine, alanine, and proline.

Gelatin’s Amino Acid Profile

Consuming gelatin can make your diet more reflective of our ancestors’ who consumed the whole animal. A more gelatin rich diet can reduce inflammation, foster better sleep, support metabolism, and slow degeneration. Bone broth made from marrow bones, oxtail, chicken necks, or chicken feet is a great source of gelatin and beneficial vitamins and minerals. Purchasing powdered gelatin (cooked connective tissue) from Great Lakes Gelatin can provide you with a great source of protein containg the anti-inflammatory amino acids but without the vitamins and minerals found in the bone broth.

The powdered gelatin allows you to easily increase your protein intake because of the food’s versality. Some common food and drink that you can add gelatin to are as follows:

• Juice
• Yogurt
• Apple sauce
• Ice cream
• Soups
• Sauces
• Gravies
• Shakes/smoothies
• Coffee

If you’re looking for an alternative to traditional western proteins, give gelatin a solid look. It can make a real difference in how you feel and how you age.

FPS coaches at 12 to 16 week nutrition course based solely on the methodology of Ray Peat, PhD. Please click here for more information.

Resources
“Gelatin, stress, longevity” by Ray Peat, PhD