Whether you are trying to build muscle or lose weight, you are most likely in need of a protein supplement. It is rather obvious to most, if you are after muscle gains, you need protein supplements, but it is less obvious that protein can also help you lose weight.
Here are a couple of ways adding a protein supplement can help you lose weight. Recent studies reflect people who are on a higher protein intake felt full quicker than those on a lower protein diets. Since they felt full they ate less, which equals lower calories in, resulting in weight loss. Protein has also been shown to raise your metabolism all by itself. In the book Exercise Physiology: Energy, Nutrition and Human Performance it is explained that a meal of pure protein can burn up to 25% of the calories in the meal through normal digestion. You don’t want to go overboard though; just like anything else, too much protein is bad as well.
Protein supplements are generally offered in powder for shakes with the four main types being whey, soy, casein and egg. Most protein supplements, other than pills, are made to be convenient for you to simply mix and drink. This makes it easy to take to work, class, the gym or wherever you need to get your protein fix.
Whey protein supplements top this list by far in popularity, because it is the highest quality and best form, but it really comes down to who you are asking. For the most part though, if you ask anyone what the best protein supplement is, you will more times than not hear whey protein. Whey is more quickly absorbed into the bloodstream than its counterparts, making it the best choice for bodybuilders. Make no mistake though; you don’t have to be a bodybuilder to benefit from whey protein supplements.
The main thing you need to look for when buying protein supplements is the quality of the protein. This is done simply by looking at the cholesterol content, not because cholesterol is bad. Cholesterol reflects the level and purity of the protein, the lower the cholesterol value the more pure the protein. Pure forms of protein are easier for your body to absorb and start to rebuild you. Secondly you want to be sure that there are no unnecessary additives in it such as high fructose corn syrup, sugar or any other artificial sweeteners. If you want to sweeten it up I suggest fruit, this is a great way to get some fiber in your shake.
Now that you have seen some, if the most notable, benefits to protein supplements, make sure you get yours! See my other articles on protein and nutrition for more information.
[...] protein being one of the three main ingredients in your diet, it is no surprise that protein supplements have become a staple in the bodybuilders’ diet. Not only are bodybuilders benefiting from protein [...]