Protein is critical for the functioning of the body!

• Your body needs incoming protein on a continual basis to repair and maintain all of its critical systems
• Your muscles, immune system, and every enzyme in your body are composed of protein
• Every day, your body loses protein constantly
• Without protein all critical body functions begin to run down

But here is where the real power lies if you are trying to lose weight.

Protein is vital because it stimulates the hormone Glucagon, important in carbohydrate metabolism.

Glucagon has a major role in maintaining normal concentrations of glucose in blood, and is often described as having the opposite effect of insulin. The great thing is that, unlike insulin, glucagon is not associated with disease and illness!

• Glucagon raises low blood sugar.
• Glucagon puts the metabolism in burning mode.
• Glucagon converts protein and fat to glucose.
• Glucagon causes dietary fat to be used for energy.
• Glucagon releases fat from fat cells to be used for energy.
• Glucagon reduces cholesterol production.
• Glucagon causes the kidneys to release water from the body.
• Glucagon causes artery wall cells to return to normal.
• Glucagon stimulates the use of fat for energy.

The most important step to controlling insulin and promoting Glucogen is fulfilling your body’s unique protein requirements.

By controlling your intake of protein and spreading it throughout the day, you can constantly produce glucagon to take on a more significant role in the management of blood sugar and therefore insulin production.

If you want to know how much protein to eat, watch out for our feature next week "Will Eating Too Much Protein Make Me Fat?"

SOURCES OF PROTEIN

Protein is formed from amino acids. Many of the 21 amino acids can be made by the body, but the nine essential amino acids must be provided by the diet.
Natural sources of protein come from things that used to move – meat, fish, birds, insects, etc. these contain all of the essential amino acids required by the body. However, we have to remember that some protein sources also contain fat (the bad type) and also higher levels of carbohydrates – increasingly so because of the way in which farm animals are themselves being fed.

Low Fat Protein Sources

High Fat Protein Sources

• Beefsteak
• Pork loin
• Bacon
• Butter

Protein Supplements

Another good source of protein is from supplements. Whilst supplements should not regularly replace natural sources of protein eaten at main meal time, they are an excellent choice for a top up snack and after exercise.

Protein Supplements are mostly a blend of the following:

• Whey Protein Concentrate and Isolate
• Casein
• Egg Albumin
• Soy

The reason why a blend is preferable is that it provides a variety of amino acids over a wide time span for maximum absorption, thus continuously feeding cells.

Here at Famously Fit we endorse the supplements provided by USN - Ultimate Sports Nutrition. Why? First and foremost, they supply quality products backed by research!

Take a look at their page on this web site, or go to (www.usn.co.uk) for more information