By Eben van Tonder
12 April 24

Abstract

Here I explore the multifaceted nutritional profiles of various food components—from collagen to chicken MDM—and their integration into a specially formulated sausage designed to support recovery for UFC fighters and extreme athletes. I take into account the synergy between proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals, and particularly emphasise the roles of calcium and additional collagen to showcase a sausage formulation in which we strategically approach the matter of post-exertion recovery from a nutritional perspective.

In recent years, the evaluation of food based solely on the presence of complete proteins has sparked debates among nutritionists and food scientists alike. To arrive at the optimal nutritional balance which leads to specific product formulations, I first deal with this matter of the unbalanced emphasis on complete proteins. I do this by evaluating the completeness of a few types of foods, from collagen to bread, and cabbage to mechanically deboned meat (MDM)—to illustrate the multifaceted nature of food evaluation. Then I do an assessment of our sausage formulation that incorporates these diverse ingredients and highlights the benefits of a holistic approach to diet that considers not just protein completeness but also the array of nutrients that contribute to a balanced meal. My goal in the sausage formulation example is not to get you to buy our sausages but to show how a correct evaluation of the diverse nutritional benefits of various foods can be the basis for anyone to design their own healthy meal plan. MDM-based products are typically less costly and my point of including it in our evaluation is that good nutrition does not have to be expensive.

Introduction

The dietary landscape is often dominated by oversimplified metrics that may not fully capture the benefits of certain foodstuffs. For instance, the emphasis on complete proteins has led to the undervaluing of foods like collagen, which offers substantial nutritional benefits despite its incomplete protein profiles. This is not true at all. Despite collagen being an incomplete protein, its value is immense in nutrition.

Nutritional strategies for high-performance athletes must transcend conventional dietary guidelines to address the intense demands of training and recovery. The focus on complete proteins, while important, often overshadows the broader spectrum of nutritional needs that are critical for recovery and performance enhancement. This series on UFC fighters examines how incorporating a diverse array of food components can optimize recovery and sustain performance among UFC fighters and extreme athletes.

Complete or Incomplete Protein: The Issue

In human nutrition, the issue of complete proteins is crucial because these proteins contain all nine essential amino acids necessary for the body’s metabolic processes. Essential amino acids cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained through diet. Most animal-based proteins are complete, providing all essential amino acids in sufficient amounts, which is vital for muscle repair, enzyme production, and general bodily function. The issue comes up given this fact, if the completeness of the proteins is the only criterion for good nutrition. Collagen is often criticized when it is included in a formulation in high dosages for not being a complete protein. As I will point out below, neither is bread or vegetables, for that matter. Does it mean that all other foods without complete protein profiles are inferior from a nutritional perspective?

Evaluating Key Food Components

1. Collagen
   Often dismissed due to its lack of essential amino acid tryptophan and low levels of methionine and histidine, collagen remains a powerhouse for connective tissue health, thanks to its rich content of glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline. It exemplifies why judging a food solely by its amino acid spectrum can be misleading. It is critical for joint and connective tissue health.  Glycine and proline are essential for repairing tissues damaged during intense physical activity. While traditionally undervalued due to its incomplete amino acid profile, the importance of collagen in a recovery diet cannot be overstated.
2. Bread (Wheat-based)
   Next, I consider bread. Most athletes do not see it as good nutrition but people who criticize collagen for its non-completeness in amino acid profile have little or nothing to say about bread which is a staple for many people worldwide. Despite incompleteness in protein, it provides carbohydrates for glycogen replenishment, alongside B vitamins that aid in energy metabolism, making it supportive of a balanced diet.
3. Cabbage
   Same as bread, I mention cabbage as an example of vegetables. I could have chosen any vegetable or fruit. It is deficient in protein but offers vitamins C and K, and anti-inflammatory properties, beneficial for reducing post-workout inflammation and aiding in the quick recovery of muscle and connective tissues. Nobody in their right mind will claim that cabbage or any other vegetable represents poor nutrition purely because of its lack of proteins.
4. Potatoes
   The story about potatoes is the same. Poor in terms of protein content, it is another source of carbohydrates, vitamin C, and potassium, helping in muscle function and recovery by replenishing glycogen stores and maintaining electrolyte balance.
5. Chicken MDM
   MDM or Mechanically Deboned Meat is a primary ingredient in most sausage and blended ham formulations worldwide. It is obtained through the mechanical separation of meat from the bones (mainly chicken) after the primary cuts of meat have been removed. This process is used to recover remaining meat tissues that are still attached to the bones, which would otherwise be difficult and not cost-effective to remove manually. Despite what critics will make you believe, it offers a complete protein profile and includes additional calcium and collagen due to the presence of bone material. This not only supports muscle recovery but also enhances bone density and structural integrity, crucial for athletes involved in combat sports and high-impact activities. MDM is an excellent nutritional choice!
6. Red Meat, Dried Meat (Biltong), and Deep-Fried Meat
   For completeness, I add a few obvious ones. Red meat, bilting or dried meat and even deep-fried meat as is a staple in West Africa, – these provide high-quality protein and essential minerals. The fat content, particularly in biltong and red meat, serves as an energy reserve, replenishing what athletes burn during intense activity.

Case Study: Sausage Formulation for Athletic Recovery

Taking the entire discussion above into account, I now turn my attention to the work that Richard Bosman and I are doing in formulating our Power Sausage Range. So far, we have a Vienna-style sausage which we call a Cape Vienna and a Frankfurter (American)/ Russian (Southern African)/ Hungarian (Zambian)/ Cransky (Australian) style sausage which we call a Ukrainian.

The proposed sausage consists of approximately 5% collagen, 40% chicken MDM, 10% pork or beef, a small quantity of starch, and about 10% fat, strategically designed for the recovery of athletes.

Here are the benefits: The high protein content aids muscle repair and growth, while the diverse fat sources provide sustained energy. The increased calcium content from MDM, derived from bone material, is particularly advantageous for bone health, a critical consideration following the skeletal stresses encountered in fighting and rigorous training. The inclusion of additional collagen supports joint and tissue recovery, addressing the common injuries faced by fighters and athletes.

Conclusion

Evaluating foods based solely on their complete protein content does a disservice to the complexity of human nutrition. Foods like collagen and vegetables contribute valuable nutrients that are crucial for overall health.

In a more balanced approach, this nutritional strategy in our sausage formulation represents a comprehensive approach to dietary planning for UFC fighters and extreme athletes. It not only meets but anticipates the rigorous demands placed on their bodies, providing a holistic array of nutrients geared towards optimal recovery and performance. By valuing each component’s unique contributions, this approach underscores the importance of a nuanced diet, beyond mere protein completeness, for maintaining peak physical condition and quick recovery. Atheltes can do these evaluations for themselves and design their own meal plans for optimal recovery and peak performance by mimicking the percentages we use in the formulation of our Ukrainian Power Sausage.

Objective Evaluation

I asked ChatGPT for an objective evaluation of our formulation. Here is the response: “In the context of extreme physical exertion, where quick recovery is paramount, this formulation provides a robust solution that leverages the synergistic effects of its components. It serves as a practical application of advanced nutritional science, designed to support the high demands of professional athletes and fighters, ensuring they are nutritionally prepared to face their rigorous challenges.”

For Trade information, visit Oake, Woods & Co.

Other Articles highlighting the value of collagen and nutrition for athletes – click on the image to go to the list of articles.