WHAT ARE PROTEINS AN WHAT DO THEY DO?
Proteins are large, complex molecules that play many critical roles in the body. They do most of the work in cells and are required for the structure, function, and regulation of the body’s tissues and organs.
Proteins are made up of hundreds or thousands of smaller units called amino acids, which are attached to one another in long chains. There are 20 different types of amino acids that can be combined to make a protein. The sequence of amino acids determines each protein’s unique 3-dimensional structure and its specific function.
Simple Sources Of Protein
Proteins are large, complex molecules that play many critical roles in the body. They do most of the work in cells and are required for the structure, function, and regulation of the body’s tissues and organs.
Proteins are made up of hundreds or thousands of smaller units called amino acids, which are attached to one another in long chains. There are 20 different types of amino acids that can be combined to make a protein. The sequence of amino acids determines each protein’s unique 3-dimensional structure and its specific function.
Simple Sources Of Protein
WHEY PROTEIN AT WORK IN YOUR BODY
is vital to your body's function. It helps your cells grow, replace themselves and repair themselves. In fact, protein is a component of every major body system and every fluid except bile and urine.
Your body makes some proteins on its own, from the 12 amino acids it can produce. The other nine amino acids you must get from dietary protein. Whey protein is one such source, and it provides all nine amino acids. Basically, it works in your body the same way, say, a steak does.
However, you absorb whey protein much faster than you would absorb a steak. The faster your body gets the protein, the more quickly it can start building new muscle. And most whey protein is low-fat or fat-free, whereas a steak is not.
The amount of protein the body needs depends on the body. Opinions vary as to how best to calculate it, but you should take into account your body weight, your body fat composition, your activity level and your nutritional goals. A good rule of thumb is 0.8 grams of protein for every kilogram of body weight (.08 g per 2.2 pounds) -- but 150 percent to 200 percent of that amount if you're an athlete in training [source: Definition of Wellness].
What if you consume more than that? The protein you don't need doesn't get stored as muscle-in-waiting. Your body breaks it down into amino acids, then into fatty acids and sugars. These chemicals travel to the liver, which converts them into cholesterol and fat.
Read on for a look at the potential benefits of whey protein.
is vital to your body's function. It helps your cells grow, replace themselves and repair themselves. In fact, protein is a component of every major body system and every fluid except bile and urine.
Your body makes some proteins on its own, from the 12 amino acids it can produce. The other nine amino acids you must get from dietary protein. Whey protein is one such source, and it provides all nine amino acids. Basically, it works in your body the same way, say, a steak does.
However, you absorb whey protein much faster than you would absorb a steak. The faster your body gets the protein, the more quickly it can start building new muscle. And most whey protein is low-fat or fat-free, whereas a steak is not.
The amount of protein the body needs depends on the body. Opinions vary as to how best to calculate it, but you should take into account your body weight, your body fat composition, your activity level and your nutritional goals. A good rule of thumb is 0.8 grams of protein for every kilogram of body weight (.08 g per 2.2 pounds) -- but 150 percent to 200 percent of that amount if you're an athlete in training [source: Definition of Wellness].
What if you consume more than that? The protein you don't need doesn't get stored as muscle-in-waiting. Your body breaks it down into amino acids, then into fatty acids and sugars. These chemicals travel to the liver, which converts them into cholesterol and fat.
Read on for a look at the potential benefits of whey protein.
WHEY PROTEIN BENEFITs
For people experiencing significant growth -- children, adolescents, pregnant women -- protein is important. These bodies aren't just maintaining, they're producing.
Similarly, athletes use a lot of protein as well -- the process of building muscle is one of constantly tearing and repairing skeletal muscle cells. In fact, you can't build muscle without what's called a "positive protein balance." That means your protein synthesis -- your production of protein -- must be greater than the destruction of muscle the exercise causes. To boost protein synthesis, some physicians recommend consuming protein after a workout.
For athletes -- and the people who want to look like them -- the form of that protein can be important. A two-tablespoon serving of peanut butter could be a great post-workout snack -- but it comes loaded with about 18 grams of fat [source: Peanut Institute]. If you're trying to lose weight, maintain your heart health or achieve lean bodybuilder-style definition, the fat, cholesterol and calories associated with many forms of protein could be a problem.
That's why some people turn to supplements. Whey protein isolate is fat-free, and it's filling. It also has a very high biological value, or BV. BV is a measure of the body's ability to absorb a protein. The naturally occurring protein source with the highest BV is an egg, with a BV of 100. Whey protein is around 104 -- its score can vary depending on its form [source: Whey Protein]. Basically, whey protein is pure, no-frills protein, designed to be absorbed thoroughly and quickly. The speed of absorption matters because it affects the anabolic, or muscle-building, qualities of the protein.
A high-protein, no-fat supplement sounds like it packs a pretty strong one-two punch. Before you get too excited, though, better learn about the side effects.
For people experiencing significant growth -- children, adolescents, pregnant women -- protein is important. These bodies aren't just maintaining, they're producing.
Similarly, athletes use a lot of protein as well -- the process of building muscle is one of constantly tearing and repairing skeletal muscle cells. In fact, you can't build muscle without what's called a "positive protein balance." That means your protein synthesis -- your production of protein -- must be greater than the destruction of muscle the exercise causes. To boost protein synthesis, some physicians recommend consuming protein after a workout.
For athletes -- and the people who want to look like them -- the form of that protein can be important. A two-tablespoon serving of peanut butter could be a great post-workout snack -- but it comes loaded with about 18 grams of fat [source: Peanut Institute]. If you're trying to lose weight, maintain your heart health or achieve lean bodybuilder-style definition, the fat, cholesterol and calories associated with many forms of protein could be a problem.
That's why some people turn to supplements. Whey protein isolate is fat-free, and it's filling. It also has a very high biological value, or BV. BV is a measure of the body's ability to absorb a protein. The naturally occurring protein source with the highest BV is an egg, with a BV of 100. Whey protein is around 104 -- its score can vary depending on its form [source: Whey Protein]. Basically, whey protein is pure, no-frills protein, designed to be absorbed thoroughly and quickly. The speed of absorption matters because it affects the anabolic, or muscle-building, qualities of the protein.
A high-protein, no-fat supplement sounds like it packs a pretty strong one-two punch. Before you get too excited, though, better learn about the side effects.
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