Protein is a macronutrient like carbohydrates and fats that has many benefits to it that will help you achieve weight loss and building lean muscle.

 

Basics of Protein

 

Protein is vital for the body as it supplys essential amino acids and nutrients for functions in our bodies that can not occur without them. While protein repairs muscle tissue and builds muscle it has many other roles in your body.

• Producing antibodies for your immune system.

• Manufactoring hormones and enzymes that are involved in most reactions in your body.

• Aiding in the digestion and absorption of food.

• Being a source of fuel when muscle glycogen levels are low.

• Maximizing the transport of oxygen to tissues.

• Providing structure for muscles, yendons, ligaments, organs, bones, hair, skin and all other tissues.

Protein Digestion, Absorption and Requirements

 

About 90 percent of the protein you consume is broken down into amino acids that repair, build, and aid in other functions in the body. The great thing about proteins is that they cannot be stored as glycogen or triglycerides for later use like carbohydrates and fats. This basically means that proteins are used up in your body functions or are excreted out of the body.

 

When your consumption of protein exceeds your bodies basic needs, the rest of the amino acids in your body is secreted in your urine. Making sure to get the proper amount of protein for your basic bodies functions, activity, and repairing and building is vital for healthy nutrition.

 

So what is the proper amount of protein you should consume each day?

 

The NAS recommends the daily protein in take should be .4 to .8 grams of protein per pound of body weight. This comes out for men to consume about 60 grams of protein a day and women to consume 50 grams of protein each day.

 

I do not completely agree with this as people seeking weight loss and healthy nutrition their is nothing wrong with consuming 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight. There is so many benefits for increasing the amount of protein you consume each day but mostly it is because our muscles need this protein for repairing muscle tissues, increasing your metabolism, and making sure to have enough to store in your muscles all day long.

 

Protein Food Chart	Grams of Protein
Fish, poultry or lean meat, cooked (3 ounces)	20 to 30 grams
Tofu, firm (1/2 cup)	20 grams
Cottage cheese, low-fat (1/2 cup)	15 grams
Yogurt, low-fat (6 to 8 ounces)	10-12 grams
Milk (8 ounces)	8 grams
Cheese (1 ounce)	7 grams
Peanuts (1 oz or 28 nuts)	7 grams
Egg (1 egg)	6 grams

 

Protein Issue and Topics for Healthy Nutrition

1. Vegetarian Protein Sources

 

 

Have a great day and God bless!