The Protein Paradox: What the Wellness Industry Isn’t Telling You

Continuing on the theme of food as medicine, I want to share a truth I’ve stayed quiet about for far too long. Over the years, I’ve read hundreds of books on food, nutrition, and medicine — and experimented with countless diets and health trends. In sorting through the misinformation, I eventually found a path to true healing. But when I first began, it felt overwhelming, conflicting, and complicated. One of the greatest misconceptions I’ve encountered in the wellness world is protein.

We’ve been told that protein is the key to health — that we need more of it to be strong, lean, energized, and well. But what if the truth is the opposite? What if the protein story we’ve been sold is another marketing illusion — one that benefits industries more than it serves our biology?

The Protein Paradox

Protein has become one of the most overemphasized and misunderstood nutrients of our time. We’ve been taught to fear deficiency and to chase numbers — grams, macros, and “high-protein” everything. And yet, true deficiency is almost unheard of in developed nations.

The truth?

Most people aren’t protein deficient — they’re glucose and mineral deficient. We’ve also become connection deficient — disconnected from real food, nature, and the innate wisdom of our bodies. This obsession with protein has led us away from balance, radiance, and true nourishment.

A Truth the Industry Won’t Tell You

The protein narrative is deeply tied to profit. Industries that sell meat, dairy, and supplements thrive on fear — the fear that our health will wither without them. Many of these same industries fund the research that “proves” their products are essential. But when we look at nature, we see another truth. The largest, strongest land mammals — elephants, horses, gorillas — are all herbivores. Their power, structure, and vitality don’t come from animal flesh or animal protein, but from plants — rich in bioavailable amino acids that the body recognizes and uses with ease. Plants provide everything we need to build, repair, and thrive — without the inflammation, acidity, and energetic heaviness that often accompany animal-based proteins.

Rethinking Protein, Reclaiming Radiance

When we return to nature’s intelligence, we begin to see that:

— Protein is present in all whole foods — fruits, vegetables, and leafy greens.

— Our body needs far less than we’ve been told, especially when digestion, absorption, and energy flow are optimized.

— Excess protein, especially from animal sources, can burden the liver, kidneys, and lymphatic system — leading to stagnation, not strength.

— True radiance doesn’t come from more consumption — it comes from better absorption, deeper connection, and alignment with the natural design of life.

A Note on Balance and Bio-Individuality

I want to be clear: I’m not saying everyone must be plant-based. Healing is personal, and there are strategic ways to design your lifestyle and support your body while still consuming animal-based proteins. The key is how and when you consume them. The larger the animal, the larger the adrenals — which means more adrenaline is present in the tissues you ingest. Timing and food combining are essential, because protein equals fat in the body and can prevent cleansing when consumed without balance.

Cleansing is foundational in healing and in architecting radiant health. When you understand the rhythm of building and cleansing, you can work with your biology — not against it.

This Week’s Reflection

Pause and ask yourself:

“Am I eating from fear or from trust?”

“Am I listening to my body — or to a narrative designed to sell me something?”

(A lot of the “intuitive” messages from our bodies are misinterpreted and misunderstood — more on that another time.)

When you begin to nourish from awareness rather than anxiety, your energy expands, your health improves, and your radiance returns.

This is food as medicine — not in theory, but in practice.

PS: My gift to you this week is my Harmful Health Trends Masterclass.

There are so many trends that mislead and confuse. This class is designed to empower you with the truth and tools to heal and reclaim your health — without wasting energy chasing what harms rather than heals.