| Protein. It is the building block of our bodies. Although | | | | recover and in severe cases rob other muscle |
| the human body is about two-thirds water the proteins | | | | proteins to repair themselves. |
| form the structure and function of the system. Along | | | | Protein ingested through a healthy diet is broken down |
| with fats, proteins form the structure at our joints and | | | | and then stored for muscle repair as needed. It is also |
| along our skeletal system. Protein is also important in | | | | used for energy when other sources are depleted. |
| enzyme production, regulation of cells and hormones, | | | | Due to the inability of the body to produce nine of the |
| and in immune function. Protein is the structural | | | | amino acids the body cannot repair, or build new, |
| component of muscle in our bodies. | | | | muscle without protein taken in through ingestion. |
| Protein is made up of amino acids in various | | | | Fatigue, insulin resistance, loss of muscle mass, and |
| configurations. When we eat proteins, and they are | | | | hormonal irregularities are symptoms of protein |
| digested, they are broken down to their amino acids | | | | deficiency. None of these is conducive to optimal |
| again. These amino acids are then sent to areas in the | | | | performance or muscular gain. No other macronutrient |
| body where they will serve a function. Some amino | | | | can be converted to protein. Fats and carbohydrates |
| acids can be produced in the body but others must be | | | | can be used for energy but not for muscle repair or |
| taken in through our food, or supplements. These are | | | | production. |
| called essential amino acids. Proteins that contain all of | | | | Ensuring adequate protein intake is paramount in |
| the essential amino acids are complete proteins. | | | | building muscle and ensuring quick recovery. Without |
| Incomplete proteins, such as some vegetables and | | | | proteins, and the amino acids from those proteins, the |
| grains, are missing one or more of the essential amino | | | | body will not be able to repair damages to the muscles |
| acids. | | | | and other structures of the body. If quality protein is not |
| Our muscles are designed to move use around and | | | | taken in through diet, or supplementation, the body will |
| support our skeletal system. When they are worked | | | | have to rob protein from the muscles to repair daily |
| within their normal range of motion and strength level | | | | damage to cells and organs. This leads to muscle loss |
| they tear slightly and repair quickly. When we work our | | | | and decreased performance. |
| muscles beyond their normal capacity the fibers tear | | | | Protein intake needs to be a priority for anyone who is |
| significantly and must recover and repair to reach full | | | | taxing their muscles through daily workouts or |
| potential again. Since muscles are made up of proteins | | | | strenuous work. This protein is needed for most of the |
| and water they must receive those amino acids that | | | | body's functions and cannot be produced by the body |
| we digested to rebuild the proteins in the muscle. | | | | itself. Complete proteins and supplementation are good |
| When we neglect these muscles and do not supply | | | | ways to get the needed protein. |
| them with the proper proteins they take longer to | | | | |