PROTEIN USE

The right amount of calories.

Eating too much of protein may strain your kidney but too little is bad for your muscle growth.
Protein has being identified to keep one full and prevents the urge to snack and so aiding weight loss.

Coming soon to the supermarket near you is the latest food fad- Protein.
There are now enriched protein product from bread, to yogurts, pastas et al and these are aimed not to the super fit but to the everyday shoppers.

But how much protein do we really need and is it really key to keeping us fighting fit?

It is very important to have a daily dose of protein as it helps us fight diseases, it builds are muscles, cause repair and immunity of the body tissues , making hormones and enzymes says Dr. Frankie Philips a registered dietitian and spokesperson for British Dietetic association.
It also keeps you feeling full for a longer period.

We need about 0.8 g of protein per kg of body weight daily. About 45 g for women and 55 g for men and a balance diet is more than enough to meet this.

People who are recovering from illness or surgery  may need a little more protein as do pregnant women ( about 6 g or more daily, the amount in 1 egg)

There is also a suggestion that older adult could benefit from raising their protein intake.
A US study published last month involving  52 to 75 year olds found that doubling the recommended daily protein intake to 1.5 g per kg of body weight helped build muscle.
Another theory presents eating more protein than required can put a strain on the kidneys which helps to break down the excess.

Even if you do need extra protein , Dr. Philips says it still better to get it from normal food rather than protein processed meals because you benefit from accompanying nutrients.

Animal protein such as red meat,poultry, fish, eggs and diary products are the highest quality sources, because they contain the full set of nine essential amino acids- the building blocks of protein.

Non animal sources including beans, lentils, nuts and whole grain also are included but these lack two essential amino acids .
That is why vegetarians and vegans must eat a varied diet.
Some of the new protein products market themselves as helping to maintain energy throughout the day, but its harder for your body to burn protein for energy says Dr. Philips.

For sustained energy always combine protein with carbohydrate- A cheese sandwich for example.

Culled for DM..