Protein supplements are the most commonly consumed supplement by far. They are no longer solely for elite bodybuilders and athletes, but more and more people are consuming them as part of a healthy lifestyle. They are available in multiple mainstream shops and online platforms.
Weight Control
High protein diets have also help control weight. Obviously, the key to avoiding those extra pounds is a healthy and balanced diet, but it seems that protein helps you lose weight and keep it off.
Thermogenesis
Thermogenesis is the natural increase in energy after a meal to digest food, and protein produces greater thermogenesis than other foods. A study in the Nutrition & Metabolism journal says that protein intake can cause the body to consume up to 20-30% more calories than carbohydrates or fats.
Metabolism
Muscles are metabolically active. That is, they require energy for maintenance. Therefore, the greater the muscle mass, the greater the caloric expenditure at rest for proper maintenance. But, it should be noted that if your main goal is to lose weight, an excessively high protein diet is not the solution either. You always have to take into account the energy you consume and the energy you use.
Muscle Growth
Based on data from 49 studies over the past 23 years, a recent study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine concluded that protein supplements as a dietary booster help optimize strength and muscle growth during resistance training.
- Resistance training helps to stimulate the muscles simultaneously in two ways: anabolism (tissue growth) and catabolism (tissue breakdown).
- The factor that determines which of the two processes wins is the net protein balance. A positive net protein balance is good for anabolism, and a negative one, on the other hand, favors catabolism.
- Adequate protein consumption favors a positive net protein balance, improving muscle growth complemented with resistance training.
Consuming protein doesn’t just improve muscle mass and strength. It also reduces muscle fatigue, meaning you can withstand a level of intense training for a week if you consume enough protein. Gaining muscle mass and strength is not only good for taking selfies at the gym and showing off a beautiful body at the beach, but it is very important to stay healthy as you age. Look for the right protein supplements for quality results.