Issue 089
June 2012
You may recognize it as vital part of a healthy balanced diet, but how much do you actually know about protein? FO gives you the essentials as to why protein shakes help you become a better athlete.
1. Mulder the scholar
The word protein comes from 19th century Dutch chemist Gerardus Mulder. He created the word protein from the word ‘protos’, which means ‘of prime importance’. Clearly Mulder was a bit of a know it all...
2. Science bit
Proteins are large molecules made up of long chains of amino acid subunits. Some of these amino acids are nutritionally essential as they cannot be made or stored within the body and so must come from foods in our daily diet.
3. Thirst for fuel
Ever wonder why you see fighters drinking protein shakes straight after a workout? Well it’s because your muscles desperately need a protein intake. During the crucial time when you’ve just finished a workout, protein will help your muscles grow. So before you welcome anyone to the gun show, make sure you have the ammo first.
4. Muscle savior
As MMA fighters work so hard in the gym their body suffers wear and tear. Protein will come to the rescue and help repair those damaged muscles. The key thing athletes should remember is they need to consume more protein than a normal person due to the amount they use up.
5. Cannibalism
If you don’t have enough protein in your system then your body may resort to eating itself to get what it needs. So if you like to go to the gym, but you’re not supplying your body with the amino acids it needs to create the protein, it will punish you.
6. Overdosing
You’d think with all the benefits of protein, it would be smart to consume as much as possible. Well, you’d be wrong, as too much can damage your liver and cause you to gain weight. You really can have too much of a good thing.
7. Routine replinishment
It would make sense if your body retained the majority of protein you consume, but sadly it doesn’t. Ingesting protein on a daily basis is as important as bathing.
8. Beanheads
Just because you’re a vegan or a vegetarian, doesn’t mean you won’t be able to get all the protein you need to become extra strong. How you ask? Black beans, soy beans and split peas also contain significant amounts of protein. Surely, being a ‘beanhead’ doesn’t sound as bad as being a ‘meathead’?
9. Eternal youth
If we told you protein holds the secret to eternal youth, we’d be lying. However, protein will make your skin look incredible due to its tissue repair qualities. You may not be young forever, but you’ll look great in old age.
10. Sure and steady
Instead of having a massive amount of protein all at once it would be a lot smarter to space your protein intake out throughout the day. Your body cannot process all of the protein in one sitting, so don’t be greedy.
Pro tip
If you’re wondering how much protein you should be consuming, then your body weight will give you the answer. You should consume one gram of protein daily for every kilogram you weigh.
