It's a well known fact that people who are working out to build extra muscle, need extra protein. But it's not as widely known that protein is also essential for anyone attempting to lose weight.
New scientific studies are consistently proving that protein can offer serious help when you're trying to shed your unwanted pounds. In fact weight loss is actually hindered without sufficient protein in the diet. Let's take a closer look at the role of protein in the body and why you should be ensuring adequate quality protein intake, irrespective of your goals.
Protein 101
The protein you consume in your diet is made up of 3 different types of amino acids.
- Essential amino acids: Your body cannot make these, so they must be supplied in your diet.They include Leucine, Isoleucine, Valine, Lysine, Threonine, Tryptophan, Methionine, Phenylalanine And Histidine.
- Non-essential amino acids: Your body can make these from the essential amino acids you consume.These include Asparagine, Alanine, Arginine, Aspartic acid, Cysteine, Glutamic acid, Glutamine, Praline, Glycine, Tyrosine, and Serine.
- Conditional amino acids: Not usually essential, other than in times of illness or stress.These include include Arginine, Cysteine, Glutamine, Glycine, Proline, Serine, And Tyrosine.
The typical food sources of protein include animal products such as meats, fish, milk and eggs, while plant sources include whole nuts, seeds, grains, pulses, legumes and soy.
Remember that protein is needed for all growth and repair in the body.
It's an essential component of all muscles, tissues and organs, along with being vital for many processes in the body like the production of antibodies, digestion, metabolism and transporting both oxygen and nutrients in the blood.
Protein also helps to make sure your hair is healthy and shiny, your skin looks great and your nails and bones are strong.
Before we go any further, let's quickly dispel a few misconceptions regarding protein.
“Only Serious Bodybuilders Need Extra Protein.”
Any regular exercise routine, not just hardcore bodybuilding, will increase the number of calories you burn and the amount of muscle your body breaks down.
Because of this it makes sense to supplement your protein intake, for extra fuel (calories) and amino acids, which are the building blocks of muscle.
This is the same no matter what form of exercise you are engaged in. In fact endurance exercise and cardio routines create an even greater need for extra protein, than pure weight training.
As you'll discover a little later, protein is not just essential for repairing worn muscle and building new lean muscle, it's also proven to be a potent fat burner in its own right.
“Protein Will Make Me Bulky.”
There's a common misconception that women shouldn't use protein powder because it will 'bulk them up'. This is not actually true.
Women don't get bulky when they use protein powder, or from working out with weights, due to their lower levels of testosterone. But when combined with a workout routine, protein will help to develop some extra muscle and the muscle they already have will be firmer and more toned

