Islam Creator of the Modern Age
2. Holding Sacred that which is not Sacred
~ 82 ~
He explained that pulses constituted the most
important protein source in a vegetarian diet,
whereas animal products like milk had proteins of a
better quality. Protein needs would have to be
assessed both in terms of quantity and quality.
Among the components of protein, about 80 amino
acids were necessary for normal growth. He said
that a deficiency of some of the acids like lycine and
methionine were common in a vegetarian diet,
while the excess of leucine in Jowar had been the
cause of diseases in certain areas where this cereal
was the staple food. Though a larger consumption
of animal products was desirable, their production
was costly since much energy was wasted in
converting plant products into animal food.
3S
After the publication of this interview, the
Indian
Express
brought out an editorial titled, ‘Protein
Hunger,’ which said:
... when the union government decided to go
in for a comprehensive policy of price support
for foodgrains, it could hardly have been
suspected that there could be ‘protein hunger’
in view of the plentiful supply of cereals.
