7 reasons why a protein supplement is right for you
Protein is an essential building block that your body utilizes for strong bones, muscles, cartilage, healthy blood, and healthy skin. Even your hair and nails are made mostly of protein. It is a macronutrient, which means that your body needs fairly large amounts of it each day in order to function properly. This macronutrient also works to repair tissue as well as produce hormones, enzymes, and other chemicals the body needs to thrive. Unlike fats and carbohydrates, your body does not store protein, so it has no “reservoir tank” to pull from when your body begins to run low on protein. Needless to say, protein is an important component of every cell in your body.
Daily consumption of protein is vital to your health, whether you’re an athlete or not. If you are athletic, protein plays an important role in your body’s recovery from physical activity after working out and exercise. It helps your body repair damage inflicted on the muscles from a workout, which also prevents injuries while your muscles grow stronger and bigger. If you aren’t refueling your body’s cells, it will result in energy loss, muscle loss, and a weakened immune system. However, using a protein supplement will help your body maintain the nutrients and amino acids it needs to have favorable results in your active lifestyle.
If you don’t live an active lifestyle, a protein supplement can still work in your favor with weight loss and muscle tone. When adding a quality whey protein, such as Renegade Protein, to your meal replacement smoothie it helps to satisfy your appetite while also reducing your calorie intake. Whey protein is great satisfying a sweet tooth craving without the guilt of excessive calorie intake. It also works to increase your body’s appetite reducing hormone levels, which in turn reduces your hunger hormone called ghrelin. Since the protein helps keep you feeling full longer, it makes for a great breakfast meal replacement. A 2011 study published by the US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, researchers learned that whey protein is also effective in boosting the body’s metabolism. Increased metabolism allows your body to convert the food you eat into energy needed to burn calories.
The amount of protein you will need is going to depend on your age, gender, whether or not you are breastfeeding, your level of physical activity, and your overall health. Everyone’s protein needs will differ slightly from person to person, but the Recommended Daily Allowance is a minimum of 0.8 grams per kilogram of your body weight. You can figure out approximately how many grams of protein your body will need using this simple equation:
- Divide your weight by 2.2 to convert your weight into kilograms.
- Multiply that total by 0.8.
So, using this example, a person weighing 150 pounds will need to consume around 55 kilograms of protein each day.
Consuming high amounts of protein each day can have adverse effects on your body as well. It can result in a condition called hypercalcemia, which causes elevated levels of calcium in your urine. High levels of calcium will also begin to break down your bones over time, as well as create kidney issues like stones and kidney failure. When your body takes in high amounts of proteins, but little carbs, your body will change to a state called ketosis. This means your body begins will not start to burn its own fat, as opposed to burning carbs for fuel. If you are not taking in enough carbs, this can become an unwanted problem for you. So it is important to maintain your carb intake while also maintaining the proper amount of protein each day.
There are a few different varieties of protein powder. Whey is a popular protein supplement choice, and is generally the one that researchers focus on in studies. However, it is not the only type of protein supplement available. Some of the common types of protein supplements are:
Casein – this protein is rich in the amino acid glutamine. Glutamine helps to speed up your muscle recovery after a workout. Since casein comes from dairy, it isn’t suitable for vegans or for people that are lactose intolerant. Your body digests casein slower than other proteins, so this type of protein is best suited for nighttime use.
Whey – as we mentioned previously, whey protein is a commonly used protein supplement. Athletes often prefer whey protein because it is a water soluble milk protein. It contains all the amino acids your body requires from food, which makes it a complete protein source. It’s also easily absorbed by your body.
Soy – because soy protein is dairy-free, it’s a good protein alternative to whey and casein. If you’re vegan, or lactose intolerant, soy is a good choice for obtaining all the essential amino acids needed, without having to consume dairy.
Pea – this protein is a high quality alternative to soy, as well as dairy based proteins. Many plant based protein supplements contain pea protein because it it a good source of the amino acid arginine.
Hemp – hemp seeds provide you with a complete protein source that also contains the essential fatty acids your body needs. It is a great choice for those who are lactose intolerant, vegan, or just prefer an alternative to soy.
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