Common Sense Protein FAQ - Get Answers To Your Most Frequently-Asked Questions About Protein
Protein: it’s the nutrient that is most commonly associated with weight training, yet it’s also one of the most misunderstood! When it comes right down to it, when you train with weights, your body NEEDS protein.
But when it comes to using protein (both in supplement form and in food), there is a lot of confusion. In this FAQ, you’re going to get common sense answers to some of the most controversial questions that people have about protein.
QUESTION #1:
How Much Protein Does Your Body Really Need?
At its simplest, your body has a baseline protein requirement that depends on a two main factors: lean body mass (muscle) and activity (type and amount).
The more muscle your body carries, the higher your protein requirement. Also, the more intense, the more frequent and the longer the activity you perform, the more protein you need.
Studies on protein requirements that demostrate a greater need for protein often meet with much controversy in scientific literature. It seems sometimes, for some reason, that many in the scientific and nutritional community are actually anti-protein! In fact, you may have even witnessed a similar prejudice when it comes to supplements as simple as vitamins as well!
Bottom line: if you train with weights, your body is breaking down protein and you need to provide it with extra protein to help rebuild. Though the exact amounts that different sources recommend varies widely between 0.7 grams per pound of bodyweight (140 grams for a 200 lb person) to levels as high as 2 grams per pound of bodyweight (400 grams for a 200 lb person), there is a solution…
Experiment for yourself! Start with a moderate protein intake of 0.7 grams per pound of bodyweight and see how you feel and how your results are. The next week, increase your protein intake a little, adding about 20 to 30 grams to your daily total. See if that makes a difference. The following week, add a little more protein.
You may find that you need more protein than you’ve been taking or you may find that you don’t need as much protein as you think!
QUESTION #2:
How Much Protein Can The Body Digest At One Time?
There are many who suggest your body can’t digest and use more than 30 to 40 grams of protein at a time. I’ve not seen convincing research on it to say if that’s true or not.
Personally, using a common sense approach, I think we need to consider a few things.
1. Think about what state your body is in. If your body needs the protein (like after workout), I