Unlike many years past, protein supplements today can be nutritious and delicious. Combined with a healthy, lean sources of natural protein, they can be very beneficial to your body.
The proteins and the amino acids are the building blocks for a healthy body. 60-70% of our body's protein can be found in the muscle tissue. For many years it was thought that only body builders and extreme athletes needed to supplement their protein intake.
We now know that that simply is not true.
Increased protein consumption is recommended for people of all ages and activity levels. When searching for your protein sources, there are many choices.
Food is obviously a good source of protein. The problem is that food choices may not be good enough. For example, when consuming protein sources found in meat, it also comes with saturated fat, which is not good for you. Plant sources of protein eliminate the saturated fat issue, but they do not provide a complete amino acid profile of the protein.
Protein supplementation in your diet can help!
There are many benefits to supplementing the protein that you are already consuming. Protein supplements are easier to prepare and are designed to provide a full dose of essential amino acids. Protein supplements also come with labels, making it easier to monitor your total caloric intake and vitamin and mineral nutrients.
The two most common types of protein supplements are whey based and soy based. Whey protein is usually easily absorbed by the body, but tends to be dairy based. When consuming too much of this supplement too quickly, stomach discomfort may develop. Soy protein itself, is not a complete source of amino acids. This means that you will need to make sure that the soy protein is enriched, so that you have all of the necessary nutrients.
The benefits of protein to your body include:
Stabilizing blood sugar
Promoting fat loss
Slowing the production of the stress hormone, cortisol, and releasing serotonin.
Stimulates protein synthesis, which aids in muscle repair.
Provides weight management when calculating caloric intake.
Protein supplements are a wonderful way to enhance your body. They are for anyone! Athletes, nursing mothers, older adults, growing teenagers, you name it!
If you are having difficulty obtaining enough protein in your diet, this is a perfect solution. The shakes can be mixed up quickly and consumed as a snack between meals. They are easy to monitor for calories and nutrients. Your protein requirements will vary based on your age, weight, sex, activity level, and health. Consult your doctor to help determine your protein requirements.