WHAT IS

PROTEIN

TOP BENEFITS AND USAGE

What Is Protein?

Protein is the building block of life. Every cell in your body contains and relies on protein.

Smaller building blocks called amino acids create proteins. Different combinations of 20 amino acids pair up to make different types of protein. 9 of these amino acids are “essential.” In this case, essential means that you must get them through food. Your body cannot make these amino acids on its own.

Complete proteins contain all 9 essential amino acids. The names of these amino acids are:

Histidine
Isoleucine
Leucine
Lysine
Methionine
Phenylalanine
Threonine
Tryptophan
Valine

Protein is also one of the 3 macronutrients. These macronutrients consist of protein, fat, and carbs. These are the core nutrients that your body requires for it to function. Your body doesn’t keep a backup store of this vital nutrient, so you have to continuously consume it.

What Does Protein Do?

Protein has countless benefits and functions within your body. Some of the significant roles of protein are:

Supports cell repair and the production of new cells
Helps your immune system fight off infections
Helps with body growth and development throughout your whole life
Produces hormones and enzymes
Vital to muscle growth and toning

Benefits of Protein

Protein has an enormous amount of benefits!

Muscle Growth and Strength

Without protein, your muscles cannot grow properly. Athletes maintain protein-rich diets to bulk up their muscle mass and strength performance. Additionally, your muscles strengthen to benefit any gymgoers and any exercise regimen. This happens even when losing weight from fat accumulation.

Bone Health

Contrary to popular belief, long-term protein intake is proven to support bone health. Adequate protein consumption reduces the risks of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis would otherwise put you at increased risk for broken bones. Women are more prone to osteoporosis after menopause, so it is extra important!

Keeps Your Cravings Under Control

Cravings become habitual due to your brain craving a rewarding feeling. This differs from regular hunger, which is a normal signal that your body needs nutrients.

Increasing your protein intake can lower your cravings by around 60%. Appetite control also works toward reducing your cravings.

Increased Energy

Without enough protein, your body uses the protein that your body needs 6to function. In this case, your body breaks down your necessary proteins into amino acids. This is for your body to use the amino acids to create glucose for energy.

With plenty of protein, your body functions and has extra. The extra protein provides energy and builds muscles!

Metabolism and Burning Fat

The thermic effect of food (TEF) is what changes your metabolism. During digestion, calories are burned for efficiency while breaking down nutrients. TEF is different for different types of food. Higher TEF increases the number of calories you burn during digestion.

Protein increases your metabolism 11 by having a higher TEF than fat and carbs. The TEF of carbs and fats is around 5-15%, while protein is 20-35%. Studies show that high-protein diets can burn up to 260 calories during digestion.

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