Best Protein Supplement

Everyone can Benefit from taking Protein Supplements

Protein along with carbohydrates and fats are one of the 3 primary macronutrients which we consume in our daily diet.  A macronutrient is a nutrient which our bodies need in large quantities.

Protein supplements are simply different forms and blends of protein.  The best protein supplements usually come in powder, liquid or bar form.  Everyone can use a protein supplement to substitute for dietary protein from other sources.

There is currently a huge debate about who should supplement their diet with protein, and why.

Whether or Not the best Protein Supplement is for you Depends on your Goals

Contrary to popular belief, protein supplements and even over consuming protein in your diet will neither make men nor women women muscle bound.  This is one of many nutrition myths which is run rampant in the fitness industry.

Here are 4 Primary Reasons to Supplement Your Diet with Protein

1.  Your Diet is Deficient of QUALITY Protein

If you are a vegetarian or vegan and do not consume animal proteins you may be at risk for a protein deficiency.  You may just make food choices in which you eat very little protein.

If this is the case you will find the best protein supplement necessary to balance your diet with the correct amount of protein, fat and carbohydrates.

This is also true if the protein in your diet is low quality.  The protein biological value scale shows you the quality of protein based on its amino acid profile.

2.  For your Post-Workout Recovery Solution

If you take part in intense cardio or weight training sessions a post-workout protein-carbohydrate cocktail is an absolute must for proper recovery.

Since liquids are easier and quicker to digest than solids, a post-workout drink is digested rapidly which will allow your body to begin the muscle recovery process as soon as possible after exercise.

Extensive research has shown that a recovery solution of carbohydrate and protein in a 4:1 ratio is most effective for muscle recovery.

3.  You are Very Active

If you have a very active lifestyle there is a chance your body will be breaking down more protein than the average person.  If you perform long duration cardiovascular activities you actually break down more protein than intense weight training.

4.  You Want to Build Muscle

Believe it or not there is a huge debate on this.  Extra protein in your diet may or may not help you build muscle.  Since your muscle is built from protein, it would make sense that extra protein would help you build muscle but some experts think otherwise.

It is more complex than it sounds but whether or not you build muscle depends on numerous factors including, genetics, level of training, and overall caloric intake.  Since protein is worth 4 calories per gram, extra protein equals extra calories in your diet which will ensure you do not lose weight.

The Best Method is to Experiment with Different Amounts of Protein in your Diet to Find what Works Best for You

Animal protein including your muscles are made up of protein.  Protein is made up of 20+ amino acids which are the building blocks of protein.

When you ingest a protein supplement, your stomach acid breaks down the protein and separates it into the individual amino acids.  Once the amino acids are absorbed in your blood stream, they can either be brought to your skeletal muscles to repair, and build your muscles, stored as body fat, or excreted out of the body.

It is important to take into consideration the effect of carbohydrates on protein.  Not only do ingested carbohydrates spare protein from being utilized as energy, carbohydrate is responsible for the raise in insulin which is needed to shuttle ingested protein into skeletal muscles.

Without Carbohydrate Dietary Protein Most Likely will NOT help you Build Muscle Mass

Protein Supplements are Best used to Maintain a Nutritional Balance in your Diet

For example, the generic recommended breakdown of dietary nutrients is 60% carbohydrates, 20% protein and 20% fat.

This means that in order for your diet to be balanced which will keep your energy levels more stable, and help you stay in great shape each meal you consume should be broken down into the same percentages.

Say you only have a bagel and cream cheese for breakfast.  Your optimal nutritional balance would be thrown off because the bagel & cream cheese is protein deficient.  This is the perfect time to supplement your diet with a protein drink which will cause your meal to have the proper balance

If your meals are often protein deficient, you could use the best protein supplement every meal if you needed to.  The above dietary balance is a generic recommendation.

Your optimal diet and protein intake is most likely different than everybody else's.  In order to find the percentage of protein in your diet which is right for you, a process of trial and error can be used as well as a trip to a dietician or nutritionist.

It is Best to Only take your Protein Supplement when You Need it

Remember, excess calories from protein in your diet can be stored as body fat as with excess fat and carbohydrate.

If you Asked 10 Different People, Likely you would get 10 Different Answers

There are many nutrition myths associated with dietary protein.  You may have been recommended to consume a gram of protein per pound of bodyweight.  This is absolutely false because it doesn't take into consideration your body composition and muscle mass.

A more realistic goal would be 1 gram of protein for every pound of lean body mass which does not include fat.  The best option is to experiment with different amounts to see which yields the best results.

The goal of protein intake is to maintain a positive nitrogen balance.  Nitrogen balance can be looked at as protein balance.  If your in positive nitrogen balance, your body theoretically gains muscle, while if your nitrogen balance is negative, you have broken down muscle.

Testing nitrogen balance accurately can be a complicated non-real world process so the best way to find out how much protein you should intake today is to use trial and error.  If you are able to visit a dietician or nutritionist, they will determine how much you need by analyzing surveys which reveal your dietary and behavioral habits.

Regardless of How Much Protein you Need the Best Protein Supplement can Make Obtaining Enough Protein Very Easy and Convenient

You should know When and When Not To take Protein Supplements to make them more Effective

The most important time to consume protein supplements is directly after your workouts in the aforementioned 4:1 carbohydrate to protein ratio.

As mentioned before, any time you have a meal which is deficient in protein is a good time to supplement your meal with protein via supplements.

Another important time to take a protein supplement is before bed, especially if you are trying to gain muscle mass.  A slow digesting protein (casein) can be obtained from low fat cottage cheese or the best protein supplement.

It is very uncommon to experience any side effects from protein supplements if they are consumed properly.  High protein diets tend to cause dehydration so it is important to drink plenty of water throughout the day if you consume extra protein.

Excess protein consumption and the associated dehydration has been known to cause mild cases of gas and diarrhea.  There is very little evidence to support excess protein intake puts severe stress on the kidneys.

All the Very Mild Side Effects of Protein Supplementation can be Avoided by Staying Hydrated

Which type of Protein Supplement You Choose Depends on your Goals

Which form of protein supplement you get is a matter of convenience and preference.  Powders are the best option if you are looking for low calorie, all protein products.

If you are looking for a meal replacement with carbs, fats, vitamins and minerals protein bars are probably the best option.  There are different forms of whey protein which have different properties you should know about.

Whey Protein Isolate

Whey protein isolate is the best protein supplement for you if you are looking for the purest protein which is best for post workout recovery drinks.  Isolate is clear when mixed in water, tasteless and does not change the consistency of whatever liquid you mix it in.

A disadvantage of whey protein isolate is it is digested very rapidly which is not good if you are using it for a meal replacement.  Especially if your goal is to build muscle, supplementing whey protein isolate may be digested too rapidly for usage if used as your primary protein supplement.  It is recommended for use as a post-workout supplement only.

Whey Protein Concentrate

Whey protein concentrate is the most common form of protein in supplements.  It is very low lactose and easily digestible.

Casein

Casein is the primary protein in milk and cheese.  The advantage with casein is the digestion is slower than other forms of protein.  Since the digestion is slow it is best used before periods of fasting such as before bedtime or with meals while you are on a low calorie, fat burning diet.

Soy Protein Isolate

Soy protein has a lower biological value than whey and other forms of dietary protein but it makes up for it with its powerful antioxidants called isoflavones.

Whey Protein Blends

Whey protein blends usually take all the above forms of protein and fortify them with specific vitamins, minerals, and amino acids to create the best protein supplement which is versatile for many uses.  Since it has a blend of all proteins, some of it digests rapidly while some is slowly digested over time.

Whey Protein Blends are the Best Protein Supplement for Most People

You should stick to the basics.  Don't pay attention to extraordinary claims of some protein products.  There is not much of a difference in protein blends and protein is protein any way you look at it.

All protein eventually will get broken down by your digestive system and if you train, eat and rest properly, hopefully the best protein supplement will equal results for you.  Your best bet is to buy a big bag of protein which means cheapest cost per serving.

Online is a Best Place to buy Supplements

When you buy supplements online you will the same product that is in your local health food store, minus the 20-40% markup.

Your local vitamin store is most likely to have unknowledgeable clerks are little help.  You are far better of to purchase your supplements after your research online from a reputable source.

The best online supplement vendors sell their products at wholesale prices.  You will have the products delivered straight to your door.

A1Supplements

One of the best online places to find great deals on the Best Protein Supplement and all other supplements.  A1Supplements.com has a huge inventory of dietary supplements for all goals at wholesale prices with cheap shipping.

Now Nutrition Whey Protein Isolate 10 lbs. from Amazon.com

      Optimum Protein Blend 10 lbs from A1Supplements.com

If you don't like the whole online shopping thing, the best deal for protein is at Costco, where you can get a 6 pound bag of EAS premium protein blend for around $30.