GenInv – Health and Wellness

Protein supplements have been getting increasingly popular among athletes, as a way of enhancing their body’s capacity to maintain and develop skeletal muscle. As we all know, protein is one among three substantial components making up the human diet, together with fats and carbohydrates.

Protein is comprised of several kinds of amino acids, providing the raw material necessary to build and repair muscles, also playing an essential role in a person’s endocrine system, immune system. P

rotein is also greatly needed in transmitting nerve impulses to the entire nervous system. A supplement is an addition made to a person’s standard diet so that a specific nutritional goal is achieved. A supplement can either be synthetic or natural. These are available in powder, liquid or solid forms. Most local supermarkets carry varying lines.

So do athletes really require protein supplements? This question is still hotly debated in the nutrition industry – I myself have asked this at lea

st a zillion times! A lot of nutritional experts argue that the best way to take in protein is through a well-balanced diet. This argument is supported by the knowledge that the body is conditioned to receive proteins by means of human digestive processes. These people also insist that supplements are not as strong an option as ingesting any nutrient’s whole food sources, and that includes protein. Whole foods contain phytochemicals, which do not contain nutritional or caloric value but enhance

healthier bodily functions like anti-oxidation and promotes a healthier immune system.

So Who Needs Protein Supplements?

Protein supplements were made popular by bodybuilders, strength athletes and weightlifters. Protein supplements appealed to these people because the protein they ingest through these products are consistently high. Moreover, supplements shore up protein deficiencies that may result due to demanding workouts. Protein supplements also prevent deficiencies that happen if the requisite dosage of protein was not ingested by the athlete for a given period. These people also like the fact that protein supplements offer a quick and effective solution for athletes who are under lifestyle pressures like school, family or employment. Protein supplements are easy to prepare and imbibe.

This pro-protein-supplement constituency also points out that high quality concentrated protein products repair whatever muscles have been stressed from the usually demanding workout, quicker that when they ingest protein through food intake. For this particular reason, whey protein and soy protein are very popular among athletes. Glutamine, a kind of amino acid, is also well-liked by athletes for the same reason that they like protein supplements.

These people swear by protein supplements and state that based on studies and research done, protein supplements – taken in conjunction with regular exercise – results in 87% increased muscle growth. When this person does weights as well, muscle growth is further increased by 27%. People who take protein supplements to replace regular meals are proven to be able to maintain their weight at the least, or can easily lose weight compared to others.  Nevertheless, it is important to add that it is not good to skip all three meals altogether. These same people who promote protein supplements have pointed out however, that once in a while, they get the bloated feeling, gas or stomach cramps. Certain protein supplements can be very expensive, too, although there are lots of high quality brands available in the market that are affordable as well.