Why Protein Is Very Important To Achieve Your Fitness Goals
Protein is one of three macronutrients. It provides essential amino acids which are required for our bodies to function properly. The National Institute Of Health indicates that the average individual should be consuming at least 0.36 grams per pound or about 56 grams a day depending on your activity level and body composition goals. This blog post highlights the reasons why protein is important to achieve your fitness goals. Check on the details below.
Protein is The Building Block of Muscle
Protein is essential for building muscle. If you have been to the gym, you may see people lifting heavy weights and taking protein supplements immediately after a workout. As stated by the team behind TheFitBrit.co.uk, protein plays a great role in building muscles. Therefore, if you need to increase muscles, the only way your body can achieve this goal is by consuming enough protein.
In addition, our bodies are made of proteins. Some proteins enable us to breathe, others help our blood clot while some others keep the chemicals in our body working properly. Therefore, it is very important that we consume enough protein for all these functions to be carried out effectively.
Protein Helps Regulate Hormones, Making It Easier To Lose Weight
Protein can help reduce your weight. According to research (Medical News Today), protein helps regulate the levels of hormones in our bodies that are crucial for weight loss. These include leptin, ghrelin, and insulin among others. Therefore, if you want to lose some pounds by doing very little work except consuming more protein, opt for good quality proteins such as salmon and other lean meats like turkey or chicken.
However, it is important that you do not take these proteins in excess. The purpose of taking protein supplements is to help boost your body’s production of hormones, so you should only consume enough for this function and no more than that.
Protein Can Help You Feel Full So You Don’t Overeat
If your goal is to reduce the number of calories in your food, consuming more protein will boost this process. A study published by the British Journal Of Nutrition found out that individuals who ate meals with higher amounts of protein consumed fewer amounts of sugar than those whose meals consisted mainly of carbohydrates. This is because protein can help you feel full faster and for a longer period than carbohydrate-rich foods such as bread, potatoes, and pasta.
Therefore, if your goal is to lose weight by reducing the number of calories in your food intake or even just limiting them without necessarily losing too much weight, then you should opt for high-quality proteins such as chicken and turkey, lean meat, or even low-fat foods like egg whites.
Eating Protein Before Bed Will Improve Your Sleep Quality and Increase Muscle Mass
Protein is crucial for muscle development and growth among other things. Your body needs it to keep functioning properly, so make sure you include several good-quality proteins in your diet every day.
Ensure that you include protein in your diet. Your body does not store proteins, so you must consume them regularly to keep benefiting from their myriad benefits such as improved muscle development, better sleep, growth, among others.
Eat More Protein to Protect Yourself From Aging-Related Diseases Like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s
Proteins also play a crucial role in preventing some aging-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. A study conducted by Australian National University found that individuals who consumed high levels of protein had lower risks of developing degenerative brain conditions like Alzheimer’s, dementia, or Parkinson’s disease. In fact, those with higher amounts were at half the risk of developing these diseases compared to individuals who consumed low-protein levels.
Therefore, make sure you consume proteins regularly to keep your brain well protected against degenerative conditions that are likely to affect it as you grow older.
A high-Protein Diet Reduces Appetite and Promote Weight Loss In Overweight Individuals
Another benefit of protein is that it can help you lose weight. According to a meta-analysis published by the American Journal Of Clinical Nutrition, overweight individuals who are trying to reduce their body mass index (BMI) levels should opt for diets rich in proteins rather than carbohydrates or fat.
This study found out that high-protein low carbohydrate diets reduced appetite and promoted weight loss in overweight individuals more than high-carbohydrate or low-fat diets. This is because proteins contain fewer calories per gram when compared to both carbohydrates and fat, so you can consume them without worrying about not losing weight while doing very little work.
Protein is crucial for fitness goals, so make sure you include several protein sources in your diet every day. These can be lean meat or fish such as salmon and turkey and egg whites or whey protein supplements if necessary. Eating more proteins will reduce the number of calories you consume while maintaining muscle mass to prevent aging-related diseases. Furthermore, proteins will prevent weight gain and make you feel less hungry, so they can also promote weight loss in individuals who are overweight.
Ensuring a robust protein intake is pivotal for your fitness journey. Incorporate a variety of sources such as lean meats (think salmon and turkey), egg whites, and, when needed, the convenience of Naked Nutrition’s Grass-Fed Whey Protein Powder.