The Advantages Of Taking Protein Supplements

Proteins are one of the most fascinating groups of molecules in the human body. They are complex combinations smaller chemical compounds called amino acids.

It is the primary component of muscles, organs and glands. The cells of muscles, tendons, and ligaments are maintained with protein. Along with fat and carbohydrates, protein is a “macronutrient”; it means that the body needs relatively large amounts of it.  There are three groups of protein containing foods.

High protein foods like red meats, egg, fish and cheese. Medium protein food such as rice, wheat oats and barley and low protein foods includes fruit vegetables and juices. In addition to these sources other people like to use protein supplements such as protein powders, protein bars, meal replacements, hydrolyzed or pre-digested protein and amino acid supplements. Protein supplements generally contain more than 20 to 30 grams of protein per serving, and are fortified with vitamins and minerals. It can also come in numerous flavors, from fruit flavored protein powders, to cookie and cream flavored weight gainers to peanut butter flavored protein bars.

Although the advantages of taking protein supplements does not measure up to those you will get from real foods they are in the second place. Active persons like athletes, bodybuilders or those who love to work out and build muscles consume protein supplements to promote muscle strength, function and possibly size. The need to increase daily protein intake while on a training program helps to increase muscle mass. Maintaining a body with protein positive nitrogen balance is a must to enable to repair and replace muscle tissue. Protein is also needed to keep a balanced PH in the blood. It can also be an energy source when there are no carbohydrates available.

According to Angela Lang of www.livestrong.com, if you cannot consume adequate amounts of protein, a supplement like protein powder can be convenient source of nourishment. One of protein supplements advantages is losing weight. It makes you feel fuller but with fewer total calories than food rich in carbohydrates or fats. The human body has to work thirty percent harder to digest protein foods then it does to digest and process carbs and fats. For this reason, a high protein diet boosts your metabolism and aids in fat loss.  Even if you are losing weight, a high protein intake with the help of protein supplements can make you gain muscle mass and strength and it can also reduce muscle loss.

Protein supplements help stabilize blood sugar level. While eating high-carb and high-sugar foods that results in fluctuations in blood sugar levels, eating protein does the opposite. Eating foods with protein can also slow down the absorption of sugar during a meal, which is especially important for preventing two types of diabetes, balancing energy levels and keeping your appetite and mood in check.

Protein supplements are more convenient, and require little to no cleanup. It is also much temperature sensitive and generally requires no refrigeration or heating. They are often fortified with vitamins and minerals and are multi0dimensional protein food and can be cost effective. Protein supplements are generally grab and go.  They can go where you go and can provide you with the ability to have a fast or slow digesting protein meal whenever you need it.