The Truth About Protein

The word protein means: Of first importance. After water, protein is the most abundant substance in the body.

Protein molecules, which consist of amino acids linked together, are the basic building foundation for the entire body: the bones, muscles, organs, blood, arteries, antibodies, skin, hair, nails, hormones, tissues etc.

Protein can also help lower blood pressure, it aids in weight loss, keeps cholesterol levels low, it slows artery clogging, and it decreases your chance of getting certain forms of cancer. Taking protein has also been shown to be an excellent preventative measure against aging and illness. The proper amount of high quality protein is essential for repair, growth, and healing of any and all body parts.

Virtually everyone should ingest protein daily to ensure a continuous supply of basic amino acids. Amino acids bind together in infinite combinations to become protein molecules, which are needed to repair an endless number of tissues throughout the body.

There are nine essential amino acids that the body cannot produce, they must be supplied through your diet. There are also sixteen non-essential amino acids that the body can manufacture from the nine essential amino acids. All nine essential amino acids must be present for the amino acids to bind together for protein synthesis.

Protein can be found in meat and other foods you eat. Organic red meat and wild fish, for example, are great sources of natural animal based protein. Many people supplement protein into their diet, in addition to the protein they get from the foods they eat.

If you are going to take a protein supplement (usually comes in the form of a powdered shake) make sure that it is very high quality protein. Otherwise it will be useless and could do more harm to you body than good.

Whey protein vs. Soy protein: You will find that most protein supplements found in stores and on-line are whey protein. Whey Protein Isolate is the protein extracted from whey, the liquid by-product of cheese production.

There are some concerns you should be aware of that have to do with whey protein. For one, it is not a complete source of protein, it contains fat, and it contains lactose (potential issue for those who are intolerant).

There are many concerns about the milk source the whey came from: the health of the animal it came from, animal by-products, growth hormones, disease, pesticides, fertilizers, drugs etc. Some people are also allergic to dairy products.

Soy Protein Isolate, on the other hand, is protein that is extracted from the soybean, eliminating fats and certain acids. Overall, in my opinion, soy protein is much better than whey protein as a protein supplement source because it is natural and plant based, as opposed to animal based, which raises the same concerns as the whey products that I listed above.

However, there are some concerns with Soy Protein Isolate, so if you are going to buy a soy protein supplement it needs to be of the highest quality and purity. The source of the soy beans is important.

Are the soy beans organic, or fertilized and drugged? The processing methods used to make the soy protein can also adversely affect the potency and purity of the protein. Many companies process their soy protein too much, which prevents the retention of beneficial substances. Some people are also allergic to soy.

Many companies also alcohol-wash their soy flakes during production of things like soy milk, soy cheese, tofu, soy burgers,and even their soy protein supplements. Well not only do you not want to ingest something that has been washed with alcohol, this technique causes the loss of approximately 88% of the isoflavone conent.

What are isoflavones? Isoflavones are natural plant nutrients that mimic the function of human estrogen. Soy protein isolate should be water-washed, instead of alcohol washed, this ensures isoflavone content and is a cleaner, more natural way to clean and process the soy flakes.

There are a lot of kinds of protein supplements out there, but you need to make sure that you take the most natural form of plant-based protein supplement possible. I find that non-genetically modified soy protein works best for me.

Also make sure that you get sufficient amounts of protein from your diet. Do your research, even try a couple different kinds and pick what you feel works best for you.

Either way the company you buy your protein from should be able to give you all of the ingredients, tests, trials, and research to prove to you why their protein works the best. They also should offer a money back guarantee. If they can't or don't just don't buy it because they are hiding something.

It is very unfortunate that most companies care about profit more than quality because it leaves us, the consumer, without much understanding as to what is best and with many products that are of little to no nutritional content to us. Usually the product with the best ads on the television, instead of quality, sells the most.

So don't be easily persuaded and make sure that you read all of the research, ingredients, testing, and processing methods before you buy a protein supplement.

Whether you are an athlete, body builder, or just someone trying to get healthier, the amount and quality of protein you put in your body is of vital importance to your overall health and wellness.

To Your Health,

Diet Health & Fitness
'Blog Squad'
DietHealthandFitness.com

P.S. Get a FREE Body Profile Analysis - Click Here now.

How To Be Perfectly Healthy Without Taking Supplements

Many people feel that they do not need nutritional supplements to be healthy or that supplements are useless. Even though high quality supplements have been shown to improve overall health you don't have to take them. If you don't you want to take supplements just make sure that you follow these guidelines.

First, you need to provide your body with an adequate daily amount of high quality protein, containing all nine essential amino acids. This ensures your energy levels and muscle health. Then you need to stay away from all white flour products such as pasta, bagels, and different breads.

You should also stay away from all foods and oils containing hydrogenated and/or trans fats, as well as all fast food, including pizza. These contain toxins that weaken your immune system, make us fat, and lethargic.

You also need to make sure that you drink six to eight cups of purified water every day, otherwise you will get dehydrated. You need to eat a minimum of ten to twelve servings of fresh fruits and vegetables every day, that is how you will be getting most of your vitamins and minerals.

At least fifty percent of your diet should be raw, organic food, that means natural and uncooked. Vegetables, for example, lose most of their nutritious content when they are exposed to high heat (cooking).

You also can't eat any refined, processed, packaged, or instant foods. Don't even think about consuming sugar, (that means all junk food). Sugar causes weight gain, immune weakness and will weaken your bones and teeth.

If you still don't want to consider taking supplements to help your body get the vitamins and minerals it needs to maintain proper health then you also can't consume any coffee, it dehydrates you. Also no recreational drugs, alcohol, nicotine, or medications.

These all contain harmful toxins that weaken your immune system and literally "poison" your body. Don't forget about exercising for at least thirty minutes every day.

Toxins also come from eating non-organic food that has been fertilized, sprayed with pesticides, loaded with growth hormones and antibiotics. The toxins that get onto our body come from cosmetics, sun tan lotion, and chlorine from tap and pool water. Those should be avoided as well if you don't want to take supplements and remain in optimal health.

You also should not breathe in any toxic chemicals that might be in the air. These could come from paint, construction materials, indoor cleaners, which are loaded with chemicals, and outdoor pollution.

To remain healthy without high quality supplements you also need to have a healthy family history and do not suffer from any conditions, illness, or health challenges. As you can see maintaining optimal health without taking supplements is difficult, but it can be done.

In my opinion, the best way to achieve optimal health is to follow as many of the above guidelines as possible, but to also take high quality supplements, that way you can live a little and don't have to be obsessed with what you are putting into and onto your body everyday.

In today's world it is almost impossible to live a lifestyle catered to all of the above restrictions so do your body a favor and take natural supplements. You will notice a difference.

There are a lot of natural supplement companies out there, so do your own research and don't believe everything you hear or read. To ensure the supplements you buy are of highest quality, the nutrition company should release all of the research and ingredients that goes into each product before you have to buy it.

That way you can be sure of what you are putting into your body and that it has been rigorously tested for potency and purity. The supplements you decide to buy should also come with a money back guarantee, that way you can try the supplements, risk free, and send them back if they are not making a difference.

To Your Health,

Diet Health & Fitness
'Blog Squad'
DietHealthandFitness.com

P.S. Get a FREE Body Profile Analysis - Click Here now.