Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Benefits of Whey Protein

By Travis Killian

In order to fuel life, our body needs a constant supply of three major macronutrients: carbohydrates, fats, and protein. Carbohydrates and fats help to supply our bodies mostly with energy. Protein however is a bit different.

Proteins are different because they are composed of chains of nitrogen. This is further divided into little units called amino acids - and these are the basic building blocks of muscle. Amino acids also serve as an essential source of dietary nitrogen, which is an essential element for your body.

It is clear that protein plays a greater role in building muscle than the other macronutrients, so if you are building a better physique, do not neglect it. Whey protein is a form of protein that digests very quickly, usually within 30 minutes, and it also contains all of your essential amino acids. It is especially important when you workout.

Why is it important to take whey protein after you workout? After you workout, your body is highly sensitive to insulin. Insulin helps to shuttle macronutrients to your muscles instead of fat cells. This sensitivity declines within an hour or two after you workout.

During this period after you workout, it is very important to get as many macronutrients to your muscles as possible. You really want to build up your glycogen reserves and muscles so that you can get stronger and recover faster. This means that you can hit the gym quicker and get results faster.

So, how safe is whey protein? Unlike most supplements, there is little supporting evidence that suggests that whey protein is bad for you. In fact, there have only been positive benefits such as a better immune system and muscle recovery. Whey protein is also natural as it is found in milk, so if whey is bad then milk is bad as well.

Another question about whey protein is how much should you consume. Well, for the most part, you could consume it during any time of the day. However, the most beneficial times occur right after you wake up and workout. This is because your body is sensitive and will benefit greatly from its fast absorption.

For any other time of the day, casein protein could help you out. I won't mention much about it in this article, but casein digests slowly. This will give you a constant supply of protein throughout the day so that way you can prevent muscle breakdown and keep your body constantly supplied with protein.

If you haven't made the choice to add whey protein to your diet, I would suggest it. It is very cheap, order online for great prices, and it will last you a while. Your body is a great investment. After all, you have to put up with it everyday. So make sure that you aren't going about it with half force. - 16004

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