PROPER PROTEIN SUPPLEMENTATION

A lot of people wonder about fitness supplementation or for this purpose, proper protein supplementation. Those for it talk about the positives of adding some extra protein or other amino acids to your diet. Those against speak about how companies creating supplements are usually not well regulated by the FDA and they have no idea what really goes into each supplement. Personally, I use supplements. I use a pre-workout mix of amino acids and creatine as well a post-workout protein with magnesium tablets in the morning upon waking, but that’s for another article, another day. For this article, I’m going to just write about protein supplementation. Protein supplements play a major role in your success in the gym. I don’t really see the negatives in using supplements as long as you know what you are using and read up on it, so I’m going to talk about the positives to proper supplementation. I also going to assume in this article you are someone who wants to either build LEAN muscle which, in turn, can burn body fat.

First, if you have done your research, you’ll know proper supplementation is perfectly healthy. When you work out, you break up muscle fibers (pretty much means you are destroying your body’s muscles, literally) and protein helps recovery and fix those fibers to regrow stronger in the long run. Don’t confuse stronger with bigger because those two are not the same. Your body makes certain amino acids and doesn’t make others, which is why supplementation can come in handy (supplement in those the body does not make in order to help you achieve your fitness goals). As you work out and sweat, guess what: you are sweating out those useful minerals that your body uses and supplementation is an easy way to get proper nutrients back into your body to reform the muscle. Even if you were against using any supplements, it’s near impossible to replenish what you would lose when you work out on a daily basis since you probably would have to eat 24/7 and measure out absurd quantities of food and vitamins just to come close to what supplements do with one scoop into a cup (they save you the hassle of going insane). Protein is amino acids and no matter the gender, we need protein to survive and remain strong in our daily activities.

Next, protein helps out in a lot of other areas too. Your hair and nails are mostly made of protein and your skin and blood depend on protein to help function to stay healthy. Protein helps keep your bones strong and help regulate your hormones that send messages which assist in your metabolism. Nasty viruses might be fought off by the body because protein helps create your body’s antibodies aiding in its immune system. Quite possibly, the greatest use of protein is general production of enzymes which pretty much do everything for us like break down food absorption or the removal of harmful waste products from the body. All this is an added benefit to properly replenishing your body’s protein storages rather than just doing all the hard work and having your body struggle to function from lack of minerals and vitamins it so desperately needs.

When it comes to where to buy protein supplements, that is a little trickier. Unless I’m really desperate and passing by, I really don’t go into vitamin stores like GNC anymore. Their products usually aren’t that great and have some inflated facts on the labels. Their protein content is most likely jacked up for no reason (one size does not fit all) because proper protein consumption usually depends on your height and weight; have you ever heard of the “protein farts?” Having a lot of protein in one sitting doesn’t mean it all is absorbed; you’ll either fart a lot (all day and night probably) or have to take a “number two” (It’s not gross, it’s science of the anatomy). I attribute GNC to those red bull commercials that claim the drink “gives you wings,” yet we all know what they mean: at least I hope we all do and that’s energy. GNC would actually try to sell you on trying to fly after consuming a red bull; that’s how low managed most of them are and how I do not trust a single word out of any GNC clerk’s mouth.

There are other companies that exist which tailor to individual needs or redesign their protein powders that have more of a specific amino acid like leucine which is the most important amino acid in my estimation for muscle synthesis. Currently, I swear by Joe Defranco and his products; if you just google his name, his products should pop up and I’ve never had a problem with feeling bloated or sluggish on anything from him. Progenex is another top of the line supplement company and Strengthlete is another supplement company I’ve purchased from in the past. Those three are my top of the line companies with Defranco leading at the moment and again, I couldn’t be happier with Defranco. I suggest you look into him because he is from my home state, someone I’ve had the pleasure of working with, and someone I give my 100% stamp of approval. Don’t be afraid to up your protein intake and supplementation to help your body function and for you to get your necessary nutrients back from the long vigorous workouts your body goes through.