Why is Protein making the world go round?
Even if you’re living under a rock, you can never be too far away from hearing the word ‘protein’ popping up from somewhere. Like most of us who have a surface level understanding of the term, it can get a bit too overbearing at times realizing the omnipresence of proteins and related products in today’s day and age. Let’s break down the term, shall we?
What are Proteins?
As we are generally aware, proteins are the fundamental components that make up our cells, tissues, organs and help in building muscles. Proteins also act as fuel and provide energy for the body to perform all sorts of functions required for sustenance and growth.
A healthy diet must contain a minimum of 15-18% of proteins. There are different kinds of proteins depending on the specific role they perform. Scientifically, proteins are large molecules made up of many chains of amino acids connected through peptide bonds.
Why are proteins so essential, especially if you dream of a muscular body?
- Proteins are the fundamental building blocks of muscles. Proteins are made up of amino acids and when we workout these amino acids break down and help in repairing and building the torn muscles and that’s how you get a toned body.
- For bodybuilders and people into heavy workout regimes, proteins are utmost necessary because the proteins in muscles is utilized by the body in workouts, hence we need additional sources of protein, like protein supplements to not just make up for the lost protein but to build newer muscles too.
- As transporters of nutrients, protein help carry different nutrients from one place to another in the body, the most prominent example being hemoglobin which carries oxygen from lungs to tissues.
So how much protein should you actually consume?
Based on recent studies, more than the composition of your muscles, the kind of workout you’re doing decides your protein requirements. As mentioned earlier, a healthy diet should have at least 18% protein in it. But that’s a general requirement and our individual protein needs will wary based on our lifestyle and the specific shape we want to keep our bodies in.
The recommended quantity of protein per 1 kg of body weight is 0.8 grams as specified by the United States Department of Agriculture. This is for people with a moderately active lifestyle. If you’re a gym enthusiast who lifts heavy or a professional athlete, the quantity increases to 1.2 to 1.8 grams per 1 kg of body weight.
Food Sources and the amount of protein they carry
- From plant-based foods such as Lentils (17 g per 100g), Whole Grain Bread (6 g), Chia Seeds (3.5 g), Tofu (15 g per serving), Quinoa (8 g per serving) and Peanut Butter (7 g per 2 tablespoon)
- Egg (6 g)
- Lean Meats (30-35 g)
- Protein Supplements – Protein shakes, Whey protein supplement powder.
Please mention protein per 100g for everything as it is creating confusion and in protein supplements write an approx. value 25-30g per scoop of 33g
Based on your individual requirement you must incorporate a healthy mix of the above protein sources to meet your needs.
How effective are protein supplements and how to choose the best one?
For most people, their protein needs are adequately met just by their regular diet. However, when we’re not able to get enough proteins and nutrients from our diet (due to lifestyle and other factors) we require a specific source of protein to compensate for the overall loss. That’s where protein supplements come in the picture.
Protein supplements make up for the shortage of protein in the body. They come primarily in powder form for easier and quicker absorption. Examples include protein shakes, whey protein, and plant-based protein supplements. MuscleMonk range of sports nutrition supplements (which are created from internationally sourced raw materials are absolutely natural) help you get you stronger, better muscles.
The majority of research conducted on protein supplements over the years has put Whey protein supplements on top of the list, above every other type of supplement. Taking a naturally made, genuine and certified Whey protein like Muscle Monk range of Whey Supplements, it’s proven to
- Supports rapid muscle building and repairing
- Preserve muscles from tearing before and after workouts
- Help in weight loss by inducing a feeling of satiety.
- Is good for Heart health.
- Improve overall immunity.
In conclusion, proteins are the most fundamental elements of our cells and muscles which enable our bodies to be at the top of their game and the deficiency of proteins results in an overall deteriorating of the body, therefore, it’s crucial to keep up our protein quotient either through natural sources or through a supplement. Furthermore, if you wanna build muscles and get a lean shaped body, exercise alone wouldn’t help, you need to eat the right amount of protein to actually get those bulky muscles.
