The Importance Of Protein
The Macronutrient For Repair

With all the talk about fat and carbs it seems that the importance of protein has been forgotten or at the very least neglected.

Protein is one of the three main macronutrients (Carbohydrate, Protein and Fat). It's role in the body is as important as any other single factor and without it your body can suffer devastating ill health effects.

There are many differing varieties of protein, but they all essentially perform the same task - Heal, repair and recover.

Lessons From Others

It's almost ironic that bodybuilders who by much of society are (unfairly) considered "not as smart", are more educated about the vital importance of protein than anyone else in the world. As serious bodybuilders lift weights and breakdown muscle tissue, they understand that without adequate levels of protein replenishment that they in essence are waisting their time - Without protein the muscles can't repair and grow.

What Can We Learn From This?

What can we take away from bodybuilder's reliance on the importance of protein? - Well the most obvious thing is without it we can't repair our bodies and it's not just from the athletic pursuits that cause tissue damage, other things such as skin cuts and hair damage also require protein to fix and repair.

How Much Is Enough?

Each nutrient has an R.D.A (recommended daily allowance), but these are the bare minimums. People with active lifestyles including sports and physical pursuits are naturally going to require more.

If you want to ensure that you never lack this essential nutrient it's wise to consume at least 30% more than the R.D.A as an insurance against protein degradation.

Protein Degradation - An Athletes Nightmare

What happens when you don't consume enough protein? - Enter protein degradation. This occurs when your body needs protein for daily repairs and doesn't have an adequate intake from the food you consume and has to start breaking down precious muscle tissue to find the protein it needs.

When your body starts to hunt down extra, necessary protein for repairs the resultant muscle catabolism means that your lose much needed dense muscularity (the fat burning furnace) and end up in effect shrinking your muscle cells. This isn't just an athlete's nightmare - It's anyone who values their physique.

When you don't consume enough protein you become catabolic and as your muscles are broken down into amino acids, you can suffer side effects such as "the shakes" and dizziness. Your hair can become brittle and your skin dry and leathery. None of these things have to happen if you place adequate priority on the importance of protein.

Minimums For Athletes

Hard training sports people and weight trainers need more than your "average couch potato" and as such there is a general rule of thumb in the sporting fraternity for protein intake based on your weight.

The formula is 1 gram of protein for every pound you weigh or 2.2 grams for every kilogram you weigh.

This rule has served many high profile sporting athletes well and as it is weight based is a good "one size fits all" type solution.

Good Sources Of Protein

If you have decided to take on board the importance of protein and start to look for high quality sources then here are the basic staples of the highest, most prized sources:

*Lean Breast Chicken

*Whey Protein Powder

*Lean Red Meat

*Fish And Seafood

*Lean Pork (not salt cured)

*Low Fat Dairy (milk, yogurt and cheese)

*Egg Whites (yolks are fine in moderation)

These are the best types of protein foods to eat on a regular basis. They will keep you from becoming catabolic and will help your body repair cellular damage optimally.

In Conclusion

Whilst some will argue that protein is in bread, nuts and most foods, the fact is these are not as easily absorbed by the body and often don't get absorbed at all. The need for high quality sources of protein such as fish, eggs and low fat dairy is based on their high absorption ratios that mean the body gets to hold on to most of the protein inherent of the foods.

Protein should be consumed at every meal, with a portion size similar to that of your carbohydrates. One of the major benefits of consuming regular protein is that it helps to keep the G.I level of a meal lower (resulting in better blood sugar stability).

Good health starts with placing prioritization on nutrition and realizing that protein is an important part of any nutritionally balanced solution to an excellent diet.

The Importance Of Protein By "Darius Clements"




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