Orgain is pleased to announce that we have earned B Corp™ certification! Certified B Corporations meet the highest standards of positive impact on society and the environment. We’re proud to join a growing movement of like-minded businesses balancing purpose and profit to positively impact the planet and the people living on it. B Corp™ aligns with our mission to provide consumers and healthcare professionals with high quality nutrition, resources, and solutions to meet their evolving needs. As always, thank you for your support in recommending Orgain to your patients and clients.
B Corp™ certification marks an important milestone in Orgain’s ongoing efforts to be a force for good in the world which began with our founding mission to provide accessible, clean nutrition for all. In the years ahead, Orgain will focus its efforts on expanding access to clean nutrition, implementing sustainable practices that nurture the planet, and empowering a healthy, fair, and diverse workforce. See below for an overview of efforts in place and some of the goals we’re planning to achieve this year.
Access to Clean Nutrition
In keeping with our founding mission, Orgain has worked closely with non-profits and individuals, donating time, dollars and most importantly, food, to ensure real nutrition gets in the hands of those who need it most. In 2022, we donated over 330,000 meals to those in need of nutrition, and in 2023, we plan to increase the number of meals donated by a minimum of 5%.
Sustainability
Orgain supports sustainable agriculture with over 75% of our product portfolio certified Organic. We are also committed to continuing to implement sustainable practices and building on the efforts already in place such as the following:
- In 2020, Orgain launched Its green Initiative that reduced plastic used in containers by 40%, saving 30,000 pounds of plastic annually without reducing the amount of product per container.
- We use bio-based caps made from sugarcane, a renewable source that produces 6% less CO2 emissions than conventional caps.
Embracing Diversity
As a company founded on improving people’s wellbeing, we continue to raise the standard of support for our team by creating an inclusive, healthy workplace that celebrates diversity of thought and lending a hand to each other to get the job done. From leadership to our broader employee base, Orgain embraces a diverse workforce with over 60% of employees identifying as women and over 30% that identify as being from a racial or ethnic minority.
Aside from water, proteins are the most abundant molecules in the human body and is the major structural component of all cells. In addition to helping the body repair cells and make new ones, protein is important for growth and development in children, teens, and pregnant women. As humans age, it’s even more crucial to consume enough high-quality protein in the diet to better preserve muscle mass and strength, increase the body’s immune function, help decrease recovery time from illness, and maintain a certain quality of life.1
Healthcare professionals know that protein is vital for health and fitness. Yet, while a towering body of research supporting the adequate consumption of high-quality protein has become mainstream, numerous misconceptions have surfaced in media causing confusion amongst consumers. A cross-sectional study analyzing protein trends from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001-2014, found that dietary protein intake was well below the upper end of the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR). In addition, results revealed that a considerable percentage of adolescent females (14–18 y) and older adults (≥71 y) fall below the recommended dietary allowance (RDA).2 This data further supports the importance of healthcare professionals to debunk protein myths and encourage adequate protein intake at levels to optimize health.
Here are three of the most common protein myths with science-backed facts.
1. Individuals can’t get enough high-quality protein on a plant-based diet
Protein quality is based on the content of essential amino acids in a food and their bioavailability. The digestibility of protein suggests the proportion of ingested nitrogen or amino acid made available after digestion and absorption.3 Currently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) uses the Protein Digestibility-Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS) to measure protein quality in foods. The PDCAAS evaluates the quality of protein based on the amino acid requirements that humans require.
While the PDCAAS tends to indicate animal protein sources (i.e., meat, seafood, dairy) rate higher than plant protein sources due to higher digestibility and distribution of the nine essential amino acids, research has shown that when a variety of plant foods are ingested, overall protein and essential amino acid needs can be met adequately in adults.4 Conversely, children that are consuming enough calories to meet their needs for growth are usually able to meet daily protein needs on a vegetarian diet. Whether on a vegetarian or vegan diets, it’s important for individuals to consume a variety of protein-rich plants such as legumes, nuts, and seeds, and to be counseled on ways to enhance their nutrition with supplementation, if needed.
2. Eating too much protein can negatively impact kidney function and weaken bones
Over the years, the myth suggesting too much protein will impair kidney function has been a topic of misinformation circulating in the popular media surrounding high protein diets. However, the one major caveat is people with pre-existing kidney disease. Individuals with impaired kidney function are not able to efficiently remove all the waste from protein in the diet. For this population, a higher protein intake (1.4g/kg/day or more) has been associated with a higher mortality rate whereas lower intakes of dietary protein were not associated with mortality.5 However, there is a lack of evidence showing a detrimental effect of high protein intakes on kidney function in healthy people. Recent research states that people with normal kidney function and a low dietary protein intake (less than 0.6g/kg/day) was associated with higher mortality, whereas higher dietary protein intake levels were not associated with death. 5
While it was once suspected that bone was impacted by the acid generating components of a high-protein diet, updated literature indicates that greater protein does not negatively affect bone health. According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, adequate dietary protein is “essential for optimal bone mass gain during growth and also for preserving bone and muscle mass with ageing.”6
3. Cutting back on protein can lead to weight loss
One of the many functions of protein is that it can help to increase satiety or feelings of fullness, which can indirectly help with weight loss. According to a substantial body of evidence, high-protein (1.2-1.6g/kg), energy restricted diets have showed greater weight loss, fat mass loss, and preservation of lean mass compared to low-protein, energy-restricted diets. In addition, spreading protein intake throughout the day in quantities of 25-30g protein per meal has shown improvements in appetite, body weight management, cardiometabolic risk factors, or all these health outcomes.7
Known as the “hunger hormone”, ghrelin is a hormone produced and released in the stomach which signals the brain when the stomach is empty and it’s time to eat. In contrast to the hormone leptin, which decreases appetite and signals the brain that the stomach is full, ghrelin has been associated with increased appetite. Decreased levels of ghrelin have been related to decreased appetite which can in turn increase weight loss. When it comes to the impact of dietary protein, research has shown there to be a significant reduction in ghrelin over time when consuming higher-protein diets compared to carbohydrate diets.8
The Role of Healthcare Professionals
Healthcare professionals have the unique opportunity to better guide their patients in understanding important macronutrients like protein and clearing up the confusion that may be steering them away from getting adequate daily intake. However, before debunking protein myths with clients, it’s important to first gauge their understanding on what protein is. Once this is established review the different dietary sources (plant and animal), the many roles protein plays in the body, and the importance of daily consumption spread throughout the day. For a comprehensive overview of protein and current dietary recommendations, check out part 1 of this two-part protein education series, Demystifying the Role of Protein in Human Health.
Orgain = High-Quality Plant-Based and Grass-Fed Whey Protein
At Orgain, we understand the desire for healthcare professionals to recommend high-quality protein products and ingredients to those they serve. We’re proud to share that all our products are reviewed and certified for quality by a recognized 3rd party, and all our suppliers are regularly audited for quality assurance. In addition to Orgain’s line of grass-fed whey protein powders, our plant-based protein powders provide a complete source of protein with all nine essential amino acids. For your patients following renal diets and seeking higher-quality nutrition to meet their needs, check out our downloadable resource, Orgain Renal-Friendly Products.
- Baum, J. I., Kim, I.-Y., & Wolfe, R. R. (2016, June 8). Protein consumption and the elderly: What is the optimal level of intake? Nutrients. Retrieved March 2, 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4924200/
- Berryman, C., Lieberman, H., 2, & 3. (2023, February 2). Protein intake trends and conformity with the dietary reference intakes in the United States: Analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2001–2014. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Retrieved March 2, 2023, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002916522029215?via%3Dihub
- Tomé, D. (2013). Digestibility issues of vegetable versus animal proteins: Protein and amino acid requirements—functional aspects. Food and Nutrition Bulletin, 34(2), 272–274. https://doi.org/10.1177/156482651303400225
- Mariotti, F., & Gardner, C. D. (2019, November 4). Dietary protein and amino acids in vegetarian diets-A Review. MDPI. Retrieved March 2, 2023, from https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/11/11/2661
- Narasaki, Y., & Okuda, Y., et al, (2021). Dietary protein intake, kidney function, and survival in a nationally representative cohort. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 114(1), 303–313. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/nqab011
- Protein and other nutrients: International Osteoporosis Foundation. IOF International Osteoporosis Foundation. Retrieved March 2, 2023, from https://www.osteoporosis.foundation/health-professionals/prevention/nutrition/protein-and-other-nutrients
- Leidy, H. J., & Clifton, P. M. (2015). The role of protein in weight loss and maintenance. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 101(6). https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.114.084038
- Missimer, A., & DiMarco, D. (2017). Consuming two eggs per day, as compared to an oatmeal breakfast, decreases plasma ghrelin while maintaining the LDL/HDL ratio. Nutrients, 9(2), 89. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9020089
New episodes of The Good Clean Nutrition Podcast are available! Since we greatly value your feedback, please take our survey to help inform future episodes of this podcast.
Episode 23 – Dietitians Discuss: Reframing “Healthy” & Eating From Our Roots with Maya Feller, MS, RD, CDN
This National Nutrition Month, registered dietitians Maya Feller, MS, RD, CDN and our host Mary Purdy, MS, RDN, discuss today’s top nutrition trends, what it means to eat “healthy” and their thoughts on this month’s theme, “Fuel for the Future.”
Share Your Story for a Chance to Be Featured in an Upcoming Newsletter!
Are you an Orgain Healthcare Ambassador with an inspiring story to share? We’re thrilled to share our latest initiative, The Orgain Healthcare Ambassador Spotlight, where ambassadors can submit personal stories about their professional journeys, and patient success stories using Orgain products.
With careful review of each submission, we’ll select one ambassador to showcase in our newsletter each month. Featured ambassadors will receive a $150 Orgain gift card for participation! If not selected during the month of submission, Orgain will keep all entries in mind for future opportunities.
To be eligible to participate, you must be an Orgain Healthcare Ambassador. Request an account now and once approved, Share Your Story with us!
Did you know that the 2023 Orgain Healthcare Professional Education Webinar Series has one new webinar each month that’s easily accessible on the Orgain Healthcare App? Whether on-demand or live, all the webinars in Orgain’s Professional Education Webinar Series are available for 1.0 CPEU for RDNs and NDTRs. Here’s what’s new for March and April:
Register Now for Our April Webinar on April 6, 2023, 2pm EST
The Soil, Biodiversity and Gut Microbiome Nexus: A Road Map for Practitioners presented by Mary Purdy, MS, RDN
A vast amount of research indicates that the current industrial model of agriculture that is contributing to soil erosion and biodiversity loss is also affecting the health of the human gut microbiome and the many systems it influences. This presentation will explore the interplay between soil health, biodiversity and the gut microbiome and provide strategies for advocating for food production techniques and dietary patterns that help to protect the environment while also enhancing both planetary and human health.
In case you missed it live last week, be sure to watch this month’s webinar, Examining Emerging Nutrition Trends & How These Impact Your Work in Healthcare, presented by Liz Shaw, MS, RDN, CPT. This webinar covers nutrition trends that are in the spotlight for 2023 with a practical application on how these trends impact healthcare. Watch Now On-Demand!
