Monday, 23 June 2014

Understand your protein: how does protein help you and your body?

hello,
We shall look at proteins, from their sources, how they are used, how the body works with them to their availability.
What is Protein and Why is it Important?
Protein is one of three macronutrients used by the body for energy. These macronutrients include protein, carbs/carbohydrates and fats.
Scientifically, protein is a series of amino acids linked together like a chain. The links that hold these amino acids together are known as peptide links. Amino acids are the primary source for nitrogen in the body. Having a positive nitrogen balance is essential for proper muscle growth and repair.
In addition to its muscle building properties, protein is needed:
-To keep a balanced PH level in the blood.
-For muscle tissue preservation during dieting or cuts.
-As an energy source when there are no carbohydrates available.
-To build and maintain proper hormone levels.
-For necessary chemical reactions to take place.
-To keep the body’s immune system functioning properly.
-For proper regulation of the body’s fluid balance.
Protein supplement foods have grown in popularity over the last 30 years because of several factors. They are convenient, and require no cooking time. Protein supplements are also cost effective, and can provide an average protein serving cost far below that of beef, seafood and even chicken.
Protein and Fat Loss
Protein foods are very thermogenic. Simply put, it requires more energy to digest protein. The human body has to work 30% harder to digest protein foods then it does to digest and process carbs and fats. For this reason, a high protein diet boosts your metabolism and aids in fat loss.
Proper protein intake is also required for the body to properly mobilize stored fat for energy. If you under eat protein, your body will have a harder time drawing on fat stores, and may cannibalize muscle tissue for energy. This is one of the reasons why low protein diets can make  you feel weak and tired.
Protein and Recovery
Protein plays a vital role in muscle recovery and workout “rebound.” When you workout, two things happen:
Your muscles are depleted of glycogen.
Your muscles are damaged, and are in need of repair.
A steady stream of protein insures a proper nitrogen balance. And a positive nitrogen balance allows your body to be in “muscle repair mode”. The faster your muscles repair, the faster you recover. Conversely, undereating protein foods creates a negative nitrogen balance. In this state, it will take longer to recover. Extra protein is essential, especially for athletes who have frequent workouts, or for athletes who are cutting fat.
Benefits of Protein (Protein for Good Health)
Proper protein intake has numerous benefits for good health. They are:
Anabolism. Eating protein keeps your body in an anabolic state. In terms of muscle building, “anabolism” refers to the construction, and not destruction of muscle tissue. The opposite of an anabolic state is a catabolic state. Not eating enough protein can cause muscle tissue to be catabolized.
Growth Hormone Regulation.
Proper growth hormones levels are essential for good health. Growth hormone contains 190 amino acids. Eating enough protein insures that your body has the necessary building blocks to construct growth hormone. Growth hormone deficiency slows the metabolism, and can lead to lower bone density, muscle loss, and numerous other health problems including and number of psychological issues.
IGF-1. IGF-1 allows muscle cells to properly respond to growth hormone. IGF-1 contains over 70 amino acids. Without proper protein intake, IGF-1 levels can be lowered, making it harder for your body to utilize available growth hormone.
Metabolism.
As stated previously, protein requires more energy to process, so inherently it boosts your metabolism. Eating less then ideal amounts of protein also makes it difficult for the body to draw upon fat reserves.
Insulin. Protein helps lower insulin levels in the blood, which is a factor in proper energy regulation.
Protein is essential to our well being and health, as it forms the very fibres and ligaments that form and join our bodies.
Live well,
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