Protein Supplements

What is Protein
Protein is a group of essential nutrients that the body requires for proper growth and maintenance. There are approximately 50 such essential nutrients that our bodies require and can't produce by themselves. These nutrients are divided into 6 main categories consisting of protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, minerals, and water. All of these nutrients are got from the food that we eat / drink.

Water is considered to be the most essential of these nutrients, followed by protein. Protein helps in building and maintaining muscles, most organs and hormones. Protein is also essential in helping make hemoglobin, and antibodies.

Sources of Protein
Most of us have the misconception that we need to compulsorily include meat in our diet in order to get protein. This is totally false. Yes, meat is the best source of protein, but not the only one. Eggs, beans, nuts, peanut butter, milk and milk products are good sources of protein too. Eating meat gives you all the proteins that your body requires. Vegetarians need to have well balanced meals with variety in their diet to get all the required proteins.

How Much Protein Does the Body Require
It is very rare in developed countries to find people with protein deficiency. Many (especially children) in very poor countries suffer from a condition known as 'Kwashiorkor' due to protein deficiency. This causes the skinny appearance with a bloated stomach.

Adults who feel weak often, have poor infection resistance, go into sudden depression, and lack energy should get themselves checked for protein deficiency.

On an average the normal person should get approximately 0.8 gram of protein per kilogram of body weight. Exercisers should get in between 1 to almost 2 grams of protein per kilogram of bodyweight, depending on the severity of exercise performed.

Almost all Americans get the daily required amount of proteins from their natural diet. This is the reason why the maximum number of users of protein supplements are those who exercise for long, especially body builders.

Types of Protein Supplements
Health stores today are flooded with a variety of protein supplements. These supplements are mostly taken by athletes and body builders, besides being taken by those whose normal diet is poor in proteins. You can get easily confused and should know exactly when and what type of protein supplement you require.

Whey Protein
Whey protein is the best and most popular protein supplement used by power exercisers and bodybuilders. Whey protein is obtained during the process of converting milk to cheese. It helps produce the right type of amino acids that are used in building and maintaining muscle tissue.

Soy Protein
As the name goes, soy protein is derived from the soybean plant, and a good source even though it is not a complete single source of protein. Soy protein is claimed to be the next best source of protein to meat. Studies have shown that soy protein reduces LDL cholesterol, while maintaining HDL cholesterol.

Egg Protein
Egg protein is considered to be one of the best forms of natural protein. The white of eggs contains the proteins. Many still consume raw eggs to get this protein, but this is not advised. Eggs should be boiled or well cooked before consumption to eliminate certain bacteria that could cause illness. Egg protein supplements provide you all the benefits of this protein without the added cholesterol that the egg yolk (yellow) comes with.

Casein Protein
Casein is very slow in digestion and is a good source of protein. This supplement is best taken at night before going to bed, since it is said to be effective for approximately 6 to 7 hours after consumption.

Whey / Soy Isolate Protein
Whey / Soy Isolate protein supplement is the same as normal whey / soy protein supplements, except for the fact that they are much more concentrated in the level of proteins. They are more pure in protein value. Normally whey / soy isolate protein supplements contain about 75 to 85% protein, while the isolate of both contain in between 90 to 98% protein. The isolate variety is more expensive and usually used by those whose workout is extremely strenuous.

Excess Protein is Not Good
The body becomes useless without protein which helps build and maintain it. Protein is present in almost every part of the human body including muscles, bones, hair, and skin. It is very good for the human body, but an excess consumption of anything good will surely lead to something bad. The excess proteins will have no use and must be eliminated from the body. This puts an extra load on the kidneys and liver. As long as one is young and healthy, the organs are able to take the load. Its effects, which could at times be fatal, will surely begin to show as one gets older. Take protein supplements only if you are certain that you are protein deficient, if you exercise long hours, or if you practice bodybuilding.