Can Protein Supplements Aid in Weight Loss?

In the struggle to lose weight and gain a fit, sculpted body, have you considered turning to protein as an ally?

Essential to any animal’s diet, proteins and their component amino acids play a role in virtually every cellular process. Most importantly to those trying to maintain good health and lose extra fat, proteins are the literal ‘building blocks’ of muscle. Without them, no muscle growth would even be possible.

During weight loss, a quality protein will help keep your muscles from degrading and disappearing along with the fat, allowing them to grow when it seems like everything else is shrinking.

After a punishing workout, having ample protein in your system will prevent a reaction called muscle catabolism. This is when the muscle cells that have been damaged by your workout repair themselves by stealing nutrients from their healthy neighbors. This process will work against your efforts to build a lean, muscular physique, since your muscles will be basically cannibalizing themselves!

Protein also works to support your overall health in more subtle ways. It can help bolster your immune function, break down cholesterol, and deliver nitrogen, an essential element in your body development and DNA synthesis. There’s evidence, too, that it plays a role in boosting your metabolism, which is good news for those trying to burn up their fat reserves.

Many athletes the world over, pro and novice alike, have added protein supplements to their diets. This is due to the fact that most dietary sources of protein (meat, dairy, certain vegetables and grains) come with unwanted add-ons like trans fat and bad cholesterol. A quality protein supplement will deliver the health-supporting protein you need (usually derived from dairy sources), without any of these add-ons. And be sure to check the label—the highest quality supplements often come with an impressive array of vitamins and minerals, as well.

The powdered versions of protein supplements are probably the most widespread and the most versatile. They come flavored or unflavored, and can be used to add a protein punch to virtually anything—pancakes, cookies, muffins, smoothies, soups, you name it!

Eating more high-quality protein and less sugar can also help reduce blood pressure. Though managing high blood pressure will never be a matter of simply swapping out items in your diet, it’s generally agreed that your consumption of carbs can have a direct effect on your blood sugar. Supplementing out some of the flour and sugar in your baking recipes for a protein powder instead can help you take steps towards better overall health.

There are hundreds of sites and blogs online with recipes that include protein powders. With a bit of research you’ll find a brand of supplement that suits you, and then you can start raking in the health benefits!