| A healthy diet isn't just something people use to lose | | | | acids, but, contrary to popular belief, you can still get |
| weight. Everyone needs to eat a healthy diet, with all | | | | the recommended daily intake of protein with |
| of the right vitamins and nutrients in order to be | | | | incomplete protein foods by eating them in |
| healthy. Protein is one of those important nutrients, | | | | combination, or with complete proteins. |
| and a lack of protein can play a role in a number of | | | | Protein Supplements For Disease Prevention |
| health issues, from low blood pressure and heart rate | | | | Whether you are skipping meals (especially |
| to edema. | | | | breakfast), eating junk food, or just not eating a |
| Malnutrition is another disease that is caused by a | | | | proper diet that will give you the protein you need, |
| lack of the right proteins. In many third world | | | | you are not getting the recommended daily intake of |
| countries, children are dying because they are not | | | | protein in order to keep your body strong and |
| getting the protein, and other important nutrients, | | | | healthy. Therefore, you need to take steps to see |
| they need in their diets. Many children who are | | | | to it that you get the nutrients your body needs. |
| weaned often suffer from the protein deficiency | | | | One way you can do this is by using protein |
| kwashiorkor, and many develop marasmus. This is a | | | | supplements. When you use these, not only are you |
| condition that results in the wasting-away of body | | | | getting the protein you should be getting in your diet, |
| tissue, and results in growth and developmental | | | | you will also be getting many other important |
| issues. | | | | vitamins and nutrients. |
| In addition to malnutrition, not getting the right | | | | There are many types of protein supplements, from |
| amount of protein can cause other health issues, | | | | powders to liquids to capsules. Each does the same |
| including cirrhosis of the liver, and the shrinking of | | | | thing, but they can all be used in different ways. Here |
| muscle tissue. Some patients are known to suffer | | | | is some information about protein supplements that |
| from a condition known as congenital protein C or S | | | | will help you when it comes to deciding which type is |
| deficiency, which can cause problems with blood | | | | better for you and your family. |
| clotting, and many people who do not get enough | | | | Liquid Protein Supplements: You can get liquid protein |
| protein in their diets develop thrombosis. | | | | supplements that can be added to many recipes, |
| What Is Protein? | | | | including home-made shakes and juices. Also available |
| Protein is a macronutrient that the body needs for | | | | are convenient, ready-to-drink protein drinks that are |
| survival. This macronutrient is comprised of chains of | | | | portable, so they are essentially a meal-on-the-go. |
| amino acids, and contains hydrogen, carbon, oxygen | | | | These delicious drinks come in such flavors as |
| and nitrogen. Protein is necessary for tissue health, | | | | chocolate and vanilla (for a really tasty treat, add a |
| including muscle growth and recovery, and it is also a | | | | teaspoon or so of coffee to one of these drinks). |
| source of energy. Our fingernails, toenails and hair are | | | | Protein Powders: When it comes to using protein |
| made from protein, and without the proper amounts | | | | powders, you have a number of options as to how |
| of the right proteins in our diets, we are subject to a | | | | you use them. Unflavored protein powders can be |
| great number of health issues, including heart disease, | | | | added to many of your favorite recipes that you |
| osteoarthritis, and colon and breast cancers. There | | | | cook all of the time, or to just about any beverage. |
| are two types of proteins, complete and incomplete. | | | | Or, you may want to try one of the flavored |
| Essential Amino Acids - These are called essential | | | | powders, and create some really tasty shakes and |
| because the body absolutely has to have them, but | | | | smoothies. Protein powders are available in such great |
| can not produce them on its own. There are eight | | | | flavors as vanilla, chocolate, berry and fruit punch. |
| essential amino acids, and a lack of even one of | | | | Protein Shots: This is another form of liquid protein |
| these can cause a number of health issues, because | | | | supplement, only smaller. These tiny drinks really pack |
| without it, the other proteins in the body are not | | | | a booster, with 25-30 grams of protein per shot. |
| able to create it. The eight essential amino acids are | | | | Protein shots can be found in many delicious flavors, |
| lysine, leucine, valine, isoleucine, methionine, | | | | including sour apple, grape, cherry and raspberry. |
| phenylalanine, threonine and tryptophan. | | | | They are available in health food stores, department |
| Non-Essential Amino Acids - The 14 non-essential | | | | stores, supermarkets and pharmacies. |
| amino acids are called this because although they are | | | | Protein Capsules: This is an extremely convenient |
| necessary, the body is able to produce them itself. | | | | way to get your protein, and really, there is no |
| These amino acids are apartic acid, cystine, glutamine, | | | | excuse you could possibly have for not taking protein |
| alanine, asparagines, glycene, histidine, l-arginine, | | | | capsules. All you have to do is pop a couple with |
| cysteine, taurine, serine, proline, threonine and | | | | your favorite beverage (water, milk or juice is |
| glutathione. | | | | recommended), and you're done. These capsules |
| Complete Proteins - These are dietary sources of | | | | have a concentrated form of protein, and are a |
| protein that contain all 22 of the essential and | | | | great way to supplement your diet. |
| non-essential amino acids. There are many protein | | | | When you are using protein supplements, it doesn't |
| supplements that are made from whey, soy and rice, | | | | mean you no longer need to eat a healthy diet. |
| which are all considered to be complete proteins. Rice | | | | There are many nutrients you need that only certain |
| protein is also great for people who are lactose | | | | foods can provide, and if these foods, such as red |
| intolerant, or have allergies, because it is a | | | | meat and milk products, are not in your diet, you are |
| hypoallergenic protein. | | | | not getting everything that you need to remain |
| Incomplete Proteins - Incomplete proteins do not | | | | healthy. |
| have all of the essential and non-essential amino | | | | |