The Truth About Protein

The word protein means: Of first importance. After water, protein is the most abundant substance in the body.

Protein molecules, which consist of amino acids linked together, are the basic building foundation for the entire body: the bones, muscles, organs, blood, arteries, antibodies, skin, hair, nails, hormones, tissues etc.

Protein can also help lower blood pressure, it aids in weight loss, keeps cholesterol levels low, it slows artery clogging, and it decreases your chance of getting certain forms of cancer. Taking protein has also been shown to be an excellent preventative measure against aging and illness. The proper amount of high quality protein is essential for repair, growth, and healing of any and all body parts.

Virtually everyone should ingest protein daily to ensure a continuous supply of basic amino acids. Amino acids bind together in infinite combinations to become protein molecules, which are needed to repair an endless number of tissues throughout the body.

There are nine essential amino acids that the body cannot produce, they must be supplied through your diet. There are also sixteen non-essential amino acids that the body can manufacture from the nine essential amino acids. All nine essential amino acids must be present for the amino acids to bind together for protein synthesis.

Protein can be found in meat and other foods you eat. Organic red meat and wild fish, for example, are great sources of natural animal based protein. Many people supplement protein into their diet, in addition to the protein they get from the foods they eat.

If you are going to take a protein supplement (usually comes in the form of a powdered shake) make sure that it is very high quality protein. Otherwise it will be useless and could do more harm to you body than good.

Whey protein vs. Soy protein: You will find that most protein supplements found in stores and on-line are whey protein. Whey Protein Isolate is the protein extracted from whey, the liquid by-product of cheese production.

There are some concerns you should be aware of that have to do with whey protein. For one, it is not a complete source of protein, it contains fat, and it contains lactose (potential issue for those who are intolerant).

There are many concerns about the milk source the whey came from: the health of the animal it came from, animal by-products, growth hormones, disease, pesticides, fertilizers, drugs etc. Some people are also allergic to dairy products.

Soy Protein Isolate, on the other hand, is protein that is extracted from the soybean, eliminating fats and certain acids. Overall, in my opinion, soy protein is much better than whey protein as a protein supplement source because it is natural and plant based, as opposed to animal based, which raises the same concerns as the whey products that I listed above.

However, there are some concerns with Soy Protein Isolate, so if you are going to buy a soy protein supplement it needs to be of the highest quality and purity. The source of the soy beans is important.

Are the soy beans organic, or fertilized and drugged? The processing methods used to make the soy protein can also adversely affect the potency and purity of the protein. Many companies process their soy protein too much, which prevents the retention of beneficial substances. Some people are also allergic to soy.

Many companies also alcohol-wash their soy flakes during production of things like soy milk, soy cheese, tofu, soy burgers,and even their soy protein supplements. Well not only do you not want to ingest something that has been washed with alcohol, this technique causes the loss of approximately 88% of the isoflavone conent.

What are isoflavones? Isoflavones are natural plant nutrients that mimic the function of human estrogen. Soy protein isolate should be water-washed, instead of alcohol washed, this ensures isoflavone content and is a cleaner, more natural way to clean and process the soy flakes.

There are a lot of kinds of protein supplements out there, but you need to make sure that you take the most natural form of plant-based protein supplement possible. I find that non-genetically modified soy protein works best for me.

Also make sure that you get sufficient amounts of protein from your diet. Do your research, even try a couple different kinds and pick what you feel works best for you.

Either way the company you buy your protein from should be able to give you all of the ingredients, tests, trials, and research to prove to you why their protein works the best. They also should offer a money back guarantee. If they can't or don't just don't buy it because they are hiding something.

It is very unfortunate that most companies care about profit more than quality because it leaves us, the consumer, without much understanding as to what is best and with many products that are of little to no nutritional content to us. Usually the product with the best ads on the television, instead of quality, sells the most.

So don't be easily persuaded and make sure that you read all of the research, ingredients, testing, and processing methods before you buy a protein supplement.

Whether you are an athlete, body builder, or just someone trying to get healthier, the amount and quality of protein you put in your body is of vital importance to your overall health and wellness.

Brue M. Baker, is an expert on natural health and fitness who has helped people from all across the country sky-rocket their health and well-being. Rather than hitting your head against a wall trying every nutrition product out there, let Brue introduce you to what he has found to be the best natural health products on the planet. Visit DynamicHealthTips.com for all the details.

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The Power of Positive Thinking

What do you see when you look in the mirror? Have you ever caught yourself making negative comments or thinking negative thoughts about the reflection looking back at you? Maybe you are frustrated because you havent made much progress at reaching your fitness goals. Maybe you have thought about leading a fit and healthy lifestyle but have a million excuses why it is simply impossible for you, a very busy person, to actually achieve fitness success. I have one word for you. Shhhhhhhh!

Your body can hear you, whether it is thoughts or words, it can hear you. It knows when you make excuses. I cant work out because Im too tired. I cant exercise because Im too busy. I cant go for a walk because I have too many other things to do. I cant change my eating habits because I have to work a lot and my only alternative is fast food. Ive never succeeded at losing weight before, so I wont be able to do it this time either. If you have ever filled your head with negative thoughts or words such as these, and then failed at achieving your fitness goals, it is no wonder! It is time to stop setting yourself up for failure, and start telling yourself that you can do it!

A positive mental attitude is a key component to achieving your ideal physique, and to leading the fit and healthy lifestyle that you desire. In other aspects of life you are told to believe in yourself and visualize success, when you do this your dreams and goals can and will be accomplished. The same concept can be applied to your physical body too!

Visualizing fitness success is an invaluable tool that you can use to get the results that you want. What does your ideal fit and healthy body look like? How are you going to feel every day when your body is in shape? What will your attitude be? How will your confidence and energy be different? Take some time and really picture what you want for yourself, and then acknowledge that you have the power to make these visions a reality.

When you have a clear picture in mind of what you want to look and feel like, the next step is to write it down. Your fitness vision can be just a couple of sentences summing up the picture in your mind of the ideal fit and healthy you. Be sure that your vision is personal and use words that are powerful and motivating to you! Here is an example to get you started. My fitness vision in the next year is to lose weight by eating properly and exercising regularly so that I can improve my health and be proud of what I see in the mirror!

Repeating daily affirmations is another technique you can utilize as you develop a positive outlook on your health and fitness levels. When you practice making affirmative statements about yourself, the key is to always use the present tense. Instead of saying, I will be fit and healthy, you say I am fit and healthy. Make a list of affirmations regarding your fitness goals and repeat them to yourself every day!

The power of positive thinking and maintaining a positive mental attitude may be just the ingredient you are missing in order to progress towards your fitness goals! When you stop the excuses and start telling yourself that you can and will make the necessary changes to your eating and exercise habits, you will break down the mental barriers that are holding you back. Change that poor mental attitude into a positive one and you will be headed down the right path to a fit and healthy you.

Diana Chaloux is the co-founder and owner of Destined 2 Be Fit (http://www.destined2befit.com) providing fitness DVD's with complete online trainer support and guidance. Diana is a certified personal trainer through ACE, AFAA and FPI, a certified Fitness Coach through Wellcoaches, Lifestyle Management Nutrition Specialist, NPC national Level Figure Competitor (http://www.dianachaloux.com) , Fitness Columnist and Fitness Model. To find out how you can work with Diana as your very own virtual personal trainer visit http://www.d2bfit.com or write to her at contact@d2bfit.com

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