It seems that everywhere we look, someone is promoting a new diet that praises the power of protein. And whether you want to lose, gain or maintain your current weight, the importance of protein goes far beyond physical appearance and muscle building.
A necessity for every body
Protein is an important component of every cell in the body. It's an organic compound composed of 22 amino acids-otherwise known as the building blocks of life. Protein is stored in muscles and organs, and the body uses it to build and repair tissues and to help produce enzymes and hormones. Proteins also enable blood to carry oxygen throughout the body.
Along with fat and carbohydrates, protein is a "macronutrient"-which means that the body needs relatively large amounts of it, with men needing slightly more than women need. A significant lack of protein can eventually cause muscle mass loss, decreased immunity, and weakening of the heart and respiratory system.
How protein affects your weight
High-protein diets are very popular because of their ability to help manage hunger. When protein is absorbed, it sends a signal to the brain to decrease your hunger.
Another benefit of protein is that it raises your resting metabolism by maintaining muscle mass. As we age, muscle mass decreases if you don't exercise, so staying fit is key to burning fat by keeping your metabolism high. Protein also leads to a much less rapid rise and fall of blood sugar and insulin, so you avoid the "sugar highs and lows" after eating sweets without adequate protein. Certain foods, however, provide a healthier resource for protein than others.
Consider the source
You can obtain healthy sources of protein without high levels of saturated fat. For example, soybeans, nuts and whole grains provide protein without much saturated fat and offer plenty of healthful fiber and micro-nutrients as well.
Now that you've increased your knowledge of protein, you can effectively enhance your diet and allow good health to take shape.
Protein is an important component of every cell in the body. It's an organic compound composed of 22 amino acids-otherwise known as the building blocks of life. Protein is stored in muscles and organs, and the body uses it to build and repair tissues and to help produce enzymes and hormones. Proteins also enable blood to carry oxygen throughout the body.
Along with fat and carbohydrates, protein is a "macronutrient"-which means that the body needs relatively large amounts of it, with men needing slightly more than women need. A significant lack of protein can eventually cause muscle mass loss, decreased immunity, and weakening of the heart and respiratory system.
How protein affects your weight
High-protein diets are very popular because of their ability to help manage hunger. When protein is absorbed, it sends a signal to the brain to decrease your hunger.
Another benefit of protein is that it raises your resting metabolism by maintaining muscle mass. As we age, muscle mass decreases if you don't exercise, so staying fit is key to burning fat by keeping your metabolism high. Protein also leads to a much less rapid rise and fall of blood sugar and insulin, so you avoid the "sugar highs and lows" after eating sweets without adequate protein. Certain foods, however, provide a healthier resource for protein than others.
Consider the source
You can obtain healthy sources of protein without high levels of saturated fat. For example, soybeans, nuts and whole grains provide protein without much saturated fat and offer plenty of healthful fiber and micro-nutrients as well.
Now that you've increased your knowledge of protein, you can effectively enhance your diet and allow good health to take shape.
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