What Are The Benefits From A Protein Powder – Best Muscle Growth

What are the benefits from a protein powder?  As you may know, protein in itself has many benefits from increased muscle growth to fat loss.  A protein powder is the healthiest, low-calorie way to get your daily allowance and beyond.

We are going to discuss some of the most important features and benefits of this product.  This includes how protein powder works for muscle recovery and the critical timing to take it for maximum muscle gain.  We will talk about how this supplement works for weight loss and the best way to use it to reach your fat burning goals.

Lastly, we will decide if you need additional protein to supplement your diet and if this drink is right for you.  If this is the case, you can learn what to look for in the best post workout protein powder.

 

What Is Protein Powder

Most of you know this one already, but you may still learn something here.  The proteins that are contained in these powders are made up of Amino Acids.

These 20 Aminos synthesize into other forms that are then distributed throughout your body when needed.   Some Aminos are actually activated by exercise.  Aminos in your brain to help the neurotransmitters, regulate metabolism, instigate energy production, and the list goes on.

Proteins not only increase muscle mass, but they also help to grow your hair, nails and promote healthy skin (collagen is a protein).  In other words, your body can’t do without them.

Besides these essential Aminos, protein powders include vitamins and minerals such as iron and magnesium.  Protein powders contain plenty of fiber  This is an important nutrient that we will discuss later because of the way it also helps with weight loss.

Do I Need Protein Powder

Of course protein powder is not a necessity, but more of a convenience.  If you can cook well rounded, high protein foods for every meal, then chances are that you don’t need it.  I may be exaggerating a bit here, but rarely do we have a chance to eat as well as we should and can always use more nutrients.

Take breakfast for example.  Do you always get a chance to get your protein and other nutrients for the most important meal of the day?  As for post workout, we should be getting between 20-40grams of protein for proper muscle recovery.  Protein is essential for muscle growth.  If you’re like me, being able to eat a meal after exercise is usually out of the question.

If you have an active lifestyle, this is all the more reason to get your additional Amino Acid proteins.  These are necessary for almost every process that goes on in your body.  Protein powder has an excellent protein to carbohydrate ratio that makes this one of the healthiest meal alternatives.

That being said, having protein powder available when necessary is recommended for the fitness conscious and for those with active lifestyles.

 

Are Protein Powders Healthy

Protein powders are made for active people that like to take care of their bodies.  Therefore, protein powders are healthy.  Because of how important the role of protein, fiber, and nutrients are in your body, protein powders are one of the healthiest foods that you can eat.

Some of these may contain artificial flavors, colors or sugars, but in small amounts.  If you don’t care to have artificial ingredients in your diet, I would recommend trying a “Natural” or an “Organic protein powder“.

Another reason that protein powders are healthy is that most of the ingredients they contained are the same ones that are manufactured naturally in the body including most Amino Acids.  Protein powder ingredients are simple, contained only proteins and nutrients.  Just the basics.

There is no such thing as an FDA approved protein powder since exercise supplements aren’t monitored this way.  However, the individual ingredients in them are examined.  This means that the ingredients in protein powders are safe.  Once again, if you are looking for a powder with stringent guidelines, the USDA Organic has the toughest regulations on the products that they oversee.

If you have any questions or comments about healthy protein powders, please leave them below and I will respond.

 

What Are The Benefits From A Protein Powder

 

• Weight management from a low calorie/high protein food.
• Promotes muscle tone.
• High protein curbs hunger.
• Promotes muscle growth.
• Provides after exercise muscle recovery.
• Maintains muscle mass.
• Added nutrition from protein, vitamins, and minerals.
• Amino Acids are necessary for skin, nail and hair growth.
• Vegans may need to consume more protein.
• Works as a meal replacement.
• Convenience – nutrition on the go

 

 

Protein Powder For Recovery And Muscle Growth

This is the most important benefit for both athletes and amateurs that are trying to build muscle mass.  Without protein, there would be no increase in muscle size.  During heavy exercise, the muscle tissue is broken down into microscopic tears.  The healing of these tears is what enables the muscles to grow back bigger and stronger.

The Amino Acid proteins are what stimulate this recovery.  Aminos are the building blocks for repairing and rebuilding your muscles.  To achieve the most muscle mass, it is important to get as much protein as possible.  Some suggest a daily recommendation of 1gram of protein for every pound that you weigh.

Proteins and Amino Acids have also been found to preserve lean body mass and to prevent muscle breakdown.  If one of your exercise goals is to become stronger or increase muscle growth, additional protein supplementation is a must.

 

Protein Powder For Weight Loss

This is my next favorite benefit for protein powder.  The majority of us are willing to work hard to look toned and fit, and protein can be a key player in this.  There are a couple of reasons that protein powder works for fat burn.

Protein powder is very filling, especially for such a low amount of calories.  A bonus to this is that you won’t be hungry or need to eat meals as often.  Protein powder also does wonders for cutting down on snacking.  There aren’t many other food options that can give you so many healthy nutrients with no weight gainers.

On top of this, protein digests slower than anything else you can eat.  A neat thing about this is that your body uses more calories in digesting protein than any other food.  You will actually be burning more calories while doing nothing.  The reason for this is the fiber content, especially in plant-based protein powders.

There is one more cool thing about exercising along with your weight loss program.  With intense anaerobic exercises such as Crossfit or weight training, your body actually burns calories at a higher rate for hours after you finish.

Did you know that most dietary supplements are labeled “for best results, use with an exercise program”?  Most people don’t realize that there is no supplement that taking alone will get them thin.  This is the same with a protein powder supplement, except that protein doesn’t come with any side effects as with others.

The reason protein powder along with exercise is my favorite option is that it enables you to get in shape while you tone your body.  This is the best way to get long term weight loss.  For additional energy to reach these goals, I recommend using a pre workout fat burner to help you workout harder and longer.

 

When To Take Your Protein Powder

The first suggestion may be the most obvious one.  Post workout for muscle recovery.  After your workout is the best time to give your body additional nutrients.  Right around 45 minutes to 1 hour is the peak absorption time to take your protein.  This is when the body will receive the most benefits by breaking done the Amino Acid proteins for your muscles.

For post workout muscle growth, it is recommended to take between 20-40grams of protein based on how much you weigh.  This amount will maximize your body’s ability for the best recovery.

The other prime time for protein consumption is at breakfast.  The reason for this is because you haven’t been eating all night.  Therefore your body is ready to use any morning proteins that you give it in the most beneficial way.

If you are trying to gain muscle, this is a good way to jump start your protein intake for the day.  Protein at breakfast is also associated with maintaining a healthy weight.  One reason for this is because it helps to curb your appetite.

 

What To Look For In The Best Protein Powder

There are a couple of different answers to what the best protein powder is for you.  This is based on your fitness goals.  You may want to become fit and toned, get maximum muscle growth, or simply maintain muscle mass.

If your goal is muscle gains, I would recommend using a powder with the highest protein content.  This will be an animal or dairy based protein such as whey, casein, egg or beef.  These types of proteins will also contain all 20 Amino Acids, but some plant proteins are lower in protein and Amino Acids.

Don’t be concerned about the number of calories.  In fact, high calorie proteins will help with gains.  Since more protein = more muscle growth, get the big container that is reasonably priced.

For weight loss, plant proteins will be your best bet.  Not only are they lower in calories, but they contain the most fiber.  Earlier I mentioned that this fiber aids in slow digestion making you feel fuller for longer.  Fiber also burns more calories through the digestion process.

Mixed plant proteins are best for getting toned since this mix provides all of the essential Aminos.  Some proteins such as brown rice are low in calories and Aminos but are the healthiest way to go.

 

The Best Protein Powders

 

Product:   Gold Standard 100% Whey Protein Powder

Price:      $
Container size:  29 servings
Protein Per Serving:   24 grams
Rating:  4.5 out of 5
Manufacturer:  Optimum Nutrition at optimumnutrition.com
Guarantee:  30 day satisfaction guarantee

This is one of my favorites and it gets excellent ratings as well.  The fact that it is made out of whey and is high in protein, makes it a good powder for weight loss and for muscle gain.  Whey isolate is the purest and most concentrated form of protein.

Gold Standard is packed with 24 grams per serving and only 120 calories.  Whey is an efficient protein source, so it has a great Amino Acid ratio.  4 grams of Glutamine are added to increase muscle strength along with 5 grams of BCAA’s (Branch Chain Amino Acids).

Gold Standard doesn’t contain any additives or fillers.  It is gluten-free but does contain milk products.  There is an “all natural” Gold Standard Whey as well.  See My full Gold Standard Whey Protein Review

Gold Standard Positives

• 24 grams of protein per serving
• Added Glutamine and BCAA’s
• Low in fat and carbohydrates
• Whey isolate digests well
• Only 120 calories
• Gluten-free

Potential Negatives

• Sucralose sweeteners in certain flavors
• Natural and artificial flavoring

Purchase at Best Price Nutrition

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The Beneficial Conclusion

As you can tell, the benefits from a protein powder are extensive.  It seems that almost anyone could use the advantages from this supplement.  From bodybuilding to weight loss, protein powder works great for toning and growing muscle.

Protein powder also contains nutritional benefits.  Protein is loaded with Aminos, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.  These nutrients are essential, therefore protein is one of the healthiest foods you can eat.    You need protein not only to fuel the body but also for smooth skin, hair and nail growth.

Even though a well rounded, protein-rich meal is the most important way to maintain these healthy benefits,  a protein powder is the best and most convenient alternative.

If you have any comments or questions about the benefits of protein powder, please leave them below and I’ll answer quickly.

 

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