What are proteins and how do they help us?
Proteins are made of amino acids, which are known as the building blocks for a healthy and efficiently functioning body. These amino acids join together to enhance the overall functioning of your body. We need protein to regulate blood flow and they are responsible for producing neurotransmitters, neurons, hormones, enzymes, and antibodies, without which our body completely fails to function like it should.
Adequate amounts of protein help replace worn out cells in your body and transport essential nutrients from one organ to another. Furthermore, it also aids in repairing your body and promoting growth. Protein increases the levels of hormone glucagon in your body, which help control body fat, and converts “lazy fat” cells into energy.
How much protein do you actually need?
The amount of protein you need completely depends on your personal health and how active you are in your daily routine. The recommended amount for the average adult is 0.8 grams of protein, but most nutritionists generally agree that at least 0.36 grams per one pound of weight are more beneficial. For instance, if a person weighs around 150 pounds, then he or she should consume at least 54 grams of protein per day to maintain overall hormone health. However, amount of protein really just protects you from falling prey to any sort of protein deficiency; if you train hard or are physically active, you need to increase that amount to regulate hormone function. Nutritionists agree that we only need a small amount of protein to survive, but we need to increase the amount of protein in our diet if we want to actually thrive.
The right way to consume protein
According to the Precision Nutrition guidelines, we can only store a limited amount of protein. You have to wait for your body to replenish its already stored protein before you consume more of it. Consuming a healthy amount of protein can lead to the healthy functioning of your hormones, which promotes a strong immune system, efficient metabolism, and improved physical performance.
Protein can be poison: Can I overdo protein consumption?
Remember to consume all things, even the healthy ones, in moderation because anything that is consumed in excess becomes poison for your body. The same is true for protein consumption because the extra protein in your body can convert into fat or sugar, negating any positive effect the protein would have in the first place. Overconsumption of protein is primarily counter-productive; it rarely causes serious malady but should be monitored all the same.
Protein is essential for your body to survive and thrive. Start looking at your food labels and find out just how much protein your regular diet provides you before making any significant changes.
