--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is no such thing as protein…" description: "\"“There is no such thing as protein deficiency in the United States. How many people do you know who were hospitalized last year for protein deficiency?..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/153/rip-esselstyn-40000_heart-disease_there-is-no-such-thing-as-protein-defici_974233.jpg" --- # There is no such thing as protein deficiency in the United… ![“There is no such thing as protein deficiency in the United States. How many people do you know who were hospitalized last year for protein deficiency? Zero! Now, how many people do you know who were hospitalized for heart disease, cancer, diabetes, or obesity related ailments? Probably lots” quote by Rip Esselstyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/153/rip-esselstyn-40000_heart-disease_there-is-no-such-thing-as-protein-defici_974233.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/153/rip-esselstyn-40000_heart-disease_there-is-no-such-thing-as-protein-defici_974233.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/153/rip-esselstyn-40000_heart-disease_there-is-no-such-thing-as-protein-defici_974233.jpg) > ““There is no such thing as protein deficiency in the United States. How many people do you know who were hospitalized last year for protein deficiency? Zero! Now, how many people do you know who were hospitalized for heart disease, cancer, diabetes, or obesity related ailments? Probably lots”” [Rip Esselstyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rip-esselstyn/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Protein deficiency is rare in the US, while diet‑related diseases are common, suggesting focus should shift from protein concerns to broader health issues. **In simple terms:** Protein lack is rare; heart, cancer, diabetes are common. Key Takeaway Prioritize preventing chronic diseases over protein fears. Themes health nutrition misconception Mood informative critical Type interview educational When to use this quote - diet planning - medical advice - policy making Key Concepts dietary myths public health Questions to Reflect On - Why are protein myths persistent? - How can public health messaging improve? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on protein can overlook other nutrients. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ailments Probably](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ailments-probably-1892463/) [Deficiency United](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deficiency-united-1892461/) [Food](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/food/) [Heart disease](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart-disease/) [Last year](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/last-year/) [Productivity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/productivity/) [Protein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/protein/) [Protein Deficiency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/protein-deficiency-1892460/) [Thing Protein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thing-protein-1892462/) ## Related quotes > [As an athlete, the most important thing is the protein that you eat and the things that you put into your body. 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McDougall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-a-mcdougall/) > [“Although protein deficiency is widespread in poverty-stricken communities and in some nonindustrialized countries, most people in industrialized countries face the opposite problem—protein excess. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-bernstein/although-protein-deficiency-is-widespread-in-poverty-stricken/) [Melissa Bernstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-bernstein/) > [It’s not the plant-based foods that will make you ill, it’s the meat and the liquid meat (i.e.: dairy) that can lead to sickness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rip-esselstyn/it-s-not-the-plant-based-foods-that-will-make-you-ill-it-s-the-meat/) [Rip Esselstyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rip-esselstyn/) > [“Pop quiz: Which has more protein per calorie, beef or broccoli? Yup. Broccoli. This green bodybuilding machine has 15.5 percent more protein per calorie…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rip-esselstyn/pop-quiz-which-has-more-protein-per-calorie-beef-or-broccoli-yup/) [Rip Esselstyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rip-esselstyn/) > [“Whether through grains, beans, or even fruit, there’s plenty of protein in a plant-strong diet. We only need 5-8% of our calories from protein,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rip-esselstyn/whether-through-grains-beans-or-even-fruit-there-s-plenty-of-protein/) [Rip Esselstyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rip-esselstyn/) > [“A woman saying yes to a date with a man is literally insane and ill-advised, and the whole species' existence counts on them doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-c-k/a-woman-saying-yes-to-a-date-with-a-man-is-literally-insane-and-ill/) [Louis C. 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Colin Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-colin-campbell/) > [A significant number of research studies have documented that heart disease is easily and almost completely preventable through a diet rich in plant produce…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-fuhrman/a-significant-number-of-research-studies-have-documented-that-heart/) [Joel Fuhrman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-fuhrman/) > [“have been associated with obesity, depression, cognitive impairment, heart disease, reduced immunity, cancer, psychosis, and all causes of mortality. Check your 25-hydroxy vitamin D…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-g-amen/have-been-associated-with-obesity-depression-cognitive-impairment/) [Daniel G. Amen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-g-amen/) ## More by Rip Esselstyn > [“Whether through grains, beans, or even fruit, there’s plenty of protein in a plant-strong diet. We only need 5-8% of our calories from protein,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rip-esselstyn/whether-through-grains-beans-or-even-fruit-there-s-plenty-of-protein/) [Rip Esselstyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rip-esselstyn/) > [“Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” It’s a catchy maxim. It’s simple. On first glance it makes sense. The phrase was coined by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rip-esselstyn/eat-food-not-too-much-mostly-plants-it-s-a-catchy-maxim-it-s-simple/) [Rip Esselstyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rip-esselstyn/) > [“J. Morris Hicks, who wrote Healthy Eating, Healthy World, has this to say about our obsession with protein: Because of the mistaken, yet almost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rip-esselstyn/j-morris-hicks-who-wrote-healthy-eating-healthy-world-has-this-to-say/) [Rip Esselstyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rip-esselstyn/) > [“If the milligrams of sodium are more than the calories per serving, leave it on the shelf. 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