Posts Tagged ‘Sports’

Understanding Protein

Understanding Protein

The Importance of Protein

Protein is a part of every cell in your body; it is the most important nutrient as no other nutrient plays as many different roles in keeping you alive and healthy.

I cannot stress enough on the Importance of Protein in so many different areas…for the growth and repair of your muscles, bones, skin, tendons, ligaments, hair, eyes and other tissues is proven since a very long time.

Without it, you would not be able to produce the enzymes and hormones and antibodies you need for Metabolism, digestion and other important processes such as healing…in fact did you know that when you have an infection, you should eat more protein because it helps create the antibodies your immune system needs to fight disease!

If you are injured, you may need more, as well, to help your blood clot and make repairs.

Protein & Diet

Even from this brief introduction you can see just how important protein is and it should now be obvious that our diets should contain high levels of protein, considering its very important role within the body.

However, this may not reflect what you have been told before.  In fact as you may be aware, government recommendation for protein intake per day is equal to 0.75g per kg of body weight.

For example if you are a female of 60kg in weight then your protein intake would be as followed:

60 x 0.75 = 45g of Protein per day

You should be able to work out yourself by now that this is highly inadequate considering the role that protein plays within the body!

In fact to be more realistic a 60Kg woman would need at least double that figure!

Obviously we are all individuals and there is not a “One rule for all”, but to recommend a minimum level for an average person (not an athlete) wanting to maintain muscle tissue and prevent catabolism (tissue breakdown), a more realistic level would range around 1.5g per kg of body weight per day.

Protein Summary

So as you can see Protein isn’t only for athletes and especially isn’t only for muscle building…Protein is for EVERYTHING! To summarise:

• Anti bodies which consist of protein are essential in helping our bodies fight and resist diseases
• You use up protein in everyday living just to keep your body running smoothly
• Everyday we lose protein in the form of hair, skin and nails
• Protein is supplied to the body to help heal and repair injuries
• For growing children protein is needed for growth of the entire body
• If you have an operation protein is needed to help build your body back to fitness

Gym Love

Ilaria Petrucci