Meat isn't only option for protein

Q: I'm not a huge fan of meat, and sometimes have a hard time forcing myself to eat it. How can I get all the protein I need without eating meat? — Colleen, Denver, Colo.

A: Ask a vegetarian. Plenty of folks who have sworn off meat and poultry (we're guessing you avoid both) can rattle off plant proteins as easily as you can spout the alphabet. Among them: beans, lentils, chickpeas and other legumes; tofu, edamame, nuts, seeds, low-fat cheese and yogurt, even potatoes. These are all good sources of protein that, when eaten as part of a varied diet, supply all the amino acids you need in a day. For comparison: A 3-ounce chicken breast delivers 27 grams of protein; a cup of lentils gives you a hefty 18 g. If you're not a vegan — someone who doesn't consume any animal products at all — you also can eat an egg a day (perfectly fine if you don't have a cholesterol problem). An egg has about 6 g of protein. And of course there's fish. They're not only full of protein, but some types are good sources of healthy omega-3 fats.

The truth is, you're better off getting your protein this way instead of from a T-bone or a turkey leg. Vegetarians tend to be healthier than carnivores; they're thinner, have lower lousy (LDL) cholesterol, higher healthy (HDL) cholesterol, better blood pressure and are less prone to heart disease, diabetes and cancer. You may consider your distaste for meat a problem, but actually, it can really work for you.

Q: Does having bleeding gums mean I'm going to get heart disease? — Anonymous

A: It was once thought that bleeding gums only meant you were about to have fewer teeth than a barroom brawler. Today, we know that tooth loss is only part of the problem. People with gum disease (gingivitis) are almost twice as likely as people with healthy gums to have heart disease. The common denominator may be inflammation. Bleeding gums indicate that your immune system knows there's trouble in your gums. This inflammation sets up a reaction that damages things, including the lining of your arteries. That makes it easier for plaque to cling to and narrow artery walls, impeding blood flow to and from your heart. The best preventive is an electric toothbrush (it removes more debris from your teeth than a manual brush) and a lifetime supply of dental floss — that you use daily.

Q: I have been diagnosed with a fatty liver. I would like to know how it got that way and how to get rid of it. — Jenny, via e-mail