You may have seen those great big jugs of powder in the pharmacy section at your favorite drugstore and wondered what they are all about. Those jugs are filled with protein supplements, which are great for everyone from dieters to athletes to junk food addicts, and also for anyone who is concerned about good health.
You are probably wondering if this is just another fad and if protein supplements are even safe. Protein supplements are perfectly safe when used as part of a healthy diet. Many people use liquid protein supplements if they are on liquid diets, while others enjoy various other kinds of supplements, which include snacks such as tasty chocolate bars.
What Is Protein?
Protein is necessary for healthy bones and muscles. In fact, it is the main part of muscle tissue, building, maintaining and replacing it when necessary. It even produces hemoglobin and antibodies that carry oxygen to the blood cells. In order for your muscles to grow and develop properly, you need protein. The outer layers of your skin, nails and hair are comprised of proteins. It also helps to increase strength, and because it helps the muscles, athletes often include protein supplements in their diet regimens. You have probably noticed that many bodybuilders often have protein bars or shakes following a workout.
Protein is made up of 20 amino acids, 14 of which the body is able to make itself. The rest we get from our diet, either from certain foods or protein supplements, including liquid proteins, protein powder and protein shots, all of which are available at www.protica.com.
There are a number of foods that are good dietary sources of protein, including lean red meat and chicken. Cheese lovers will find plenty of protein in their favorite snack (8 grams of protein per 30 grams of cheddar or mozzarella), and a half a cup of milk has nine grams of protein. Almonds, certain fish and eggs are also good sources of protein.
Who Needs Protein Supplements?
Are you an athlete? Do you need to lose weight? Are you a junk food addict? Do you want to be in better shape and feel healthy? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you could use protein supplements in your diet.
The average man needs about 63 grams of protein daily to maintain healthy muscles and bones, but a weightlifter needs as much as 180 grams. Many people who are trying to lose weight go on liquid protein diets. Junk food lovers need a little extra protein, because it is doubtful they are getting enough in their daily diets. Almost anyone can benefit from a little extra protein in their diets, and using supplements, such as liquid and powder, is a great way to get it.
Although some people may try to tell you differently, protein supplements are not dangerous when taken in moderation. Enjoy your protein bars and shakes, but make sure you’re getting a few other foods in there as well, because it is important for everyone to enjoy a healthy, well-balanced diet that is filled with proteins, vitamins and minerals.
Types of Protein Supplements
One of the most popular and readily available types of protein supplements is whey protein. This is a milk product; a byproduct of cheese production. It is easily digested, and because it breaks down so quickly (within an hour), it goes to work right away repairing and building muscles following workouts. This is one reason that whey powder supplements are so popular with athletes. Many people also find that whey powder is easier to mix than other supplement powders, and it tastes better, too. People who are lactose intolerant should avoid whey powder.
Other types of protein supplements include:
– Casein: Although it takes much longer to digest than whey, the effects of casein last longer. Although it does not mix as easily as whey, it is available in a number of flavored shakes. It is a bit more expensive than whey, and must be avoided by those who are lactose intolerant.
– Milk Protein: This can be a combination of a number of milk proteins, including whey and casein, and it offers short and long-acting proteins. Again, this is not for the lactose intolerant. Also, it can be higher in calories, fat and cholesterol than other proteins.
– Egg Protein: Also known as egg albumin, this comes from egg whites, and can be found in a powdered form. You will find this as an ingredient in many supplements, and it begins acting within one to three hours of ingesting it. This is good for people who can’t tolerate milk products, but not for those with allergies to eggs or chicken. Egg proteins are made from mostly natural ingredients.
– Soy Protein: If you have egg or chicken allergies, are lactose intolerant, or a vegetarian, soy protein is the protein supplement choice for you. It contains no cholesterol or saturated fats, and is considered to be a complete protein because it contains all of the essential amino acids. Like eggs, soy products are made from natural ingredients.
– Rice Protein: This is also a good source of proteins for vegetarians and people with allergies or lactose intolerance. It is gluten-free, and is low-carb, low-fat, low-cal, so it is ideal for diets. Powdered rice protein is great in shakes and smoothies, sprinkled on certain foods or added into recipes for added nutrition.
Protein Supplement Products
Protein supplements don’t just come in liquid or powder form. There are all kinds of tasty alternatives, which can be found at Protica. Here are some of the different forms of protein supplements, and how they are used:
– Protein Powder: These are often mixed with juice or other beverages, or sprinkled on food.
– Liquid Protein: Also can be mixed, but many are flavored so they can stand alone.
– Protein Shots: These are ready-to-drink shots of protein that you can have on the go. Many are also created as energy drinks.
– Protein Bars: A delicious, nutritious snack you can carry along with you.
– Protein Capsules: Don’t have time to eat or drink? Pop one of these for a quick protein fix.
– Protein Shakes and Smoothies: Mix liquid or powder protein with skim milk or juice, add some fruits and/or berries and ice, blend, and enjoy a great shake or smoothie. To make it even more filling, add a little bit of yogurt.
Many of the protein supplement products you will find are not only going to be a terrific source of protein, but also a number of other vitamins and mineral the body needs to stay strong and healthy.
How Much Protein Do You Need In Your Diet?
Depending on your age and other factors, the amount of protein needed in diets varies. For example, if you are an average adult male, 19 or older, you should be getting approximately 63 grams of protein daily. The average adult woman requires 53 grams of protein per day. Women in the second half of their pregnancies require a bit more, about 1.1 kg daily. The amount required by children depends on the age, with infants needing more than older children.
Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein bullets for cancer patients. You can learn more at Protica Research – Copyright