Yo,
Greetings to you all my friends. I hope this finds you well and you’ve done something productive. If not, get onto it right after this (or even right now) to make the most of your day.
Today we’ll be going into something slightly different from what we’re used to. Normally, we’d be exploring topics of what is protein powder. How is protein powder made? What are mass gainers? and other matters of that kind.
However, I believe today will be just as important as the other topics. I am not a professional, however, I still want to spread this information to you all.
We’ll be exploring the benefits of protein…beyond muscle.
“What? Protein is beneficial for more than just muscle?” Indeed I was shocked when I found this. I think this gave me more of an incentive to eat more protein actually.
However, holding the belief that protein is only good for muscle is not surprising at all. If you think about the fitness industry, fitness influencers and what we’re told when we’re young (For example “Eat your meat so that you can grow big and strong. If you want bigger muscles you’ve got to eat Jimmy!”) it’s no wonder we hold these beliefs.
It never hurts to learn something, and I hope you’re able to.
Maybe you’re still struggling to feel motivated to eat enough protein; today’s explanations may then help solve this problem.
Alright enough with the introductions, let’s get into it.
Bone Health
Protein is actually quite good for bone health and growth.
Studies have shown that adequate protein intake can assist in reducing bone loss and maintaining bone health.
Quite frankly, I believe that many individuals in society are actually undereating protein. I like to look back on myself a few years ago and I think I’m eating just under double the amount I was eating back then. Additionally, look at the individuals around you. It may surprise you how little the amount of protein they’re eating in comparison to you.
Now, why am I saying this?
Many people’s bones could be much stronger and healthier, maybe even including yourself.
Protein, as displayed in the study, was an essential factor for preserving the muscle mass contained in the participants.
You’re literal bone structure could become stronger by eating more protein.
“Drink your milk if you want strong bones”. Sure, calcium is good for bones.
But PROTEIN is where you can also strengthen your bones.
In the study, it was found that as you age, increased intake of protein can reduce bone loss. The elderly participants with a higher protein intake displayed a much lower percentage of bone loss.
Begone are the fears of you being a brittle burden on yourself in the future, as you can take actions to prevent that.
I wanted to explain this point first, as it’s probably one of the most enticing facts. So you can get stronged muscles and stronger bones
Brain Health
Just stop here for a moment before you read on. Genuinely sit for a few moments and think about this question: “How is protein beneficial for brain health?”
Okay let’s explain.
If you didn’t know, protein is actually the second largest matter in your brain.
Yes, I’ll say it again and you should say this again out loud.
“Protein is the second largest matter in the brain”
Even from a common sense standpoint, would it not make sense that eating more protein would be beneficial for your brain health?
Alright let’s give a concrete explanation.
Proteins contain amino acids, which are essential for the production and usage of neurotransmitters. I don’t want to get too technical (because you probably don’t want to even know the nitty gritty details), but neurotransmitters are basically tiny little chemical messengers within your brain.
By feeding your body protein, and therefore amino acids, it assists your brain functioning with as a result of the neurotransmitters.
Eating more protein helps your cognition.
Basically, it’s really important.
Hormone Production
Eating protein also enables your body to produce some hormones, such as Testosterone (you might recognise this hormone. It’s quite significant), Leptin (helps regulate appetite), Glucagon and Ghrelin for example.
Eating protein enables your body to produce protein-derived hormones, which are also known as peptide hormones. Surprisingly, (or unsurprisingly) your endocrine glands make them from drum roll, please…
Amino acids!
Immune System Health
You don’t want to get sick? Eat protein.
Okay, it doesn’t work like that, but protein is quite important for your immune system.
Again, we can attribute this to the amino acids (quite crazy, eh?)
In this study, it was found that amino acids such as glutamine are an essential factor in producing lymphocytes, cytokines and macrophages. Those complicated-looking words are all important for your immune system, and glutamine helps in producing them.
Your body cannot naturally produce these on its own, so providing your body with the fuel it needs is essential.
Glutamine is found in many foods. It’s an amino acid that is found in options such as Eggs, beef, meat, nuts and milk. What do these all have in common?
They’re high in protein!
Now that I think about it, it’s no wonder that chicken soup is always recommended for colds. Coincidence? I think not my friends.
To Finish…
Protein is quite crazy. To think that it’s only important for the maintenance and growth of muscle is clearly incorrect. It’s much more than muscle.
It’s important for your immune system, your brain health, hormone production and your bones.
Do you want to be smarter? Eat protein.
Do you want your hormones to be optimised? Eat protein.
Do you want stronger bones? Eat protein.
Obviously, I simplified it to and probably sound quite silly, but you get the point.
Do not view protein as something important only for the gym. You have to view it as an essential nutrient that holds significant importance for your overall health.
That’s it for today, my friends. I hope you were able to learn something and hopefully, this motivates you to take your protein intake more seriously.
Do your productive task, have a good day, and I’ll see you again later.
