Why is Protein Healthy for You?

The Importance of Protein

Protein is an important part of a healthy diet, even if you’re not trying to bulk up. Protein is important because it fuels your body and all your cells, not just your muscles. Protein makes it possible for you to move and power through your day, but protein does so much more in your body than that! Let’s go into some more detail:

1. Protein is essential to life.

   Protein repairs, builds, and transforms your body and is one of the three major nutrients you need in your diet, along with carbohydrates and fats. Beyond muscle function, healthy protein consumption supports metabolism and satiety.

   Protein, like water and essential fatty acids, is critical for your body to function properly. You need to eat enough of it every day for your body to be at its best. Dietary protein is also the main source of nitrogen in your diet, which is important for protein synthesis, DNA formation, hormone function, and maintaining muscle mass. When you eat protein, you are getting amino acids: the building blocks of protein. Amino acids also help provide nitrogen, which is essential for building DNA. Protein provides structure and form for your entire body.1,2

2. Protein is involved in nearly all your body’s processes.

   For example, protein helps create enzymes, which your body uses for different metabolic and chemical reactions. Other proteins are required to transport substances into, within, or from a cell, as well as through your body’s circulatory system. Your body would have trouble moving anything without protein. Similarly, proteins are required for the composition and function of your body’s hormones and cellular receptors, and protein is a major source of energy for your body.1,2

3. Protein supports satiety and may reduce feelings of hunger.

   Protein may help reduce your daily calorie intake and can support your body transformation goals. Protein typically takes longer to digest than carbohydrates, so it helps you feel full longer. A diet with high-quality protein and lower carbohydrate intake, even when total calories from fat remain constant, has been shown to improve fat and weight loss, cardiovascular function, and other health measures.3 Protein can help you reach your body transformation goals, no matter what they are!

   In a scientific review article, researchers concluded that whey protein can be an effective and powerful tool to transform one’s body and health.4 Whey protein supports satiety and may reduce feelings of hunger, it may impact glucose metabolism, and it helps produce gut hormones involved in reducing hunger and fat metabolism.4

4. Protein helps build and protect muscle.

   Protein provides the building blocks that make up your muscles, so eating more protein can help build and protect muscles. Remember: building muscle isn’t just for bodybuilders or Olympic athletes. Everyone needs healthy muscles, so be sure to get some protein every day!

   Protein also helps support a specific type of muscle called skeletal muscle. Supporting skeletal muscle and reducing its loss is important for leading a healthy, robust life. Skeletal muscle is attached to your bones and helps you make voluntary movements, which are any movements you consciously make with any part of your body, like moving your arms and legs.

   As you grow older, it becomes even more important to support your muscles. Not only do you move more slowly as you age, but your body also has a less robust response to exercise.

5. Protein supports your immune system.

   Did you know that muscles release signaling molecules that communicate with the brain, liver, pancreas, bones, fat tissue, and many other organs? The healthier and more active your muscles, the healthier your overall immune system response will be.5

   Your immune system is made up of proteins, and it also relies on protein to function efficiently. Without enough protein, your body may not be able to create antibodies. Antibodies are responsible for recognizing foreign health threats, so your body needs to create enough of them for your immune system to function properly.

6. Best Ways to Get Protein

   Protein comes in many shapes and sizes, and there are many benefits to eating different sources of protein. Legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and other plant-based sources are great ways to get your daily protein. You can also get protein from animal products like eggs, lean meats, and other dairy products. Incorporating different animal and plant-based proteins offers a good variety and gives you many options for getting protein into your diet.

   While recommendations vary depending on the source, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the American College of Sports Medicine have made recommendations based on age and activity level.  Click here  to find out how much protein you should be eating. The recommended protein amount is higher for adults over the age of 50, who tend to lose more muscle as they grow older, and for young children.*

7. Increase Your Protein Intake!

   On the go and need a quick protein fix? Try our delicious 4LifeTransform Protein Bars. They offer a delicious chocolate and peanut butter crunch, and they are safe for ages four and up!

   Plus, with the December Product Special, you get three boxes for the price of two! Save $22 and get protein the whole family will enjoy with this deal!