Protein Supplements: Understanding when and how they are used

 Protein Supplements: Understanding when and how they are used

When you visit the gym, you'll hear guys boasting of the type of protein shakes they consume before or after the workout. It's a talk that never seems to end in just about every gym. But why exactly are protein supplements the discussion of consumers?

First, they are readily available in every nutrition shop on the web. They are available in pre-mixed, ready to drink form that can be made into a shake or consumed in whatever way one likes. But are they just for heavyweight lifters and athletes alone?

Understanding Protein Supplements

Protein supplements in the form of powder may come in three forms namely whey, casein, and soy. Of the three, whey is the most popular because it is considered a water-soluble protein.

According to an associate professor at the State University of New York, Peter Horvath, Whey is a complete form of protein; therefore it comes with all advantages one can imagine of definition of complete protein is that which contains all the nine essential amino acids that we need in our day to day diet.

On the other hand, Horvath notes that soy protein is the best choice for vegans, even though the taste of soy in powder form may not be very pleasant. Secondly, unlike whey, soy does not dissolve in water as well.

Protein supplements also come with various price tags to make them affordable for all. However, it's important to note that a casual athlete who doesn't have specific training requirements may not need to consider a significant factor. In fact, an occasional athlete would get the same benefits of high-end protein powders at less expensive price tags.

Again, in certain exceptional circumstances, these supplements can be extremely useful. According to Carole Conn, an associate professor at the University of New Mexico, protein powders may be a convenient source of high-quality+- protein. Therefore, this brings us to the question of when exactly one might want to use them. The answers are as follows:

(a) When growing up

Teenagers tend to have more protein requirements because their body is still growing and need more protein in general. They even need more of it if they are active.

(b) When getting into a program

People who are going into a muscle building program and would want to see results quickly will need more proteins that they regularly consume with regular diet.

(c) Camping out workouts
Sometimes people get into mild exercises before realizing that they need more of it as time goes by. For instance, if you used to train for 30 minutes a few times a week and now you've decided you're going to train for an on-coming marathon race, you'd need more proteins to achieve your goals.

(d) Recovering from an injury

Those who are active in sports encounter injuries from time to time. For healing to take place so they can resume training, they'll need more proteins.

The points above are all valid reasons why one would want to supplement the proteins they already consume a regular diet.

Conclusion
If you typically feel weak when lifting weights or participating in strenuous exercises, it could be a sign that you need more protein. That's where protein supplements come in handy since they are quick and convenient. Furthermore, there's also an option for choosing supplements with no cholesterol and fat. That's the healthiest combination you can go with so far.