Protein is an essential nutrient, used by our body for renewal and growth.

The human body is made up of Water, Fat, Protein and Minerals. If you suck all the water out of the human body what’s left is mostly Protein, in fact over 50% of the dry weight of our body is protein!

- Our hemoglobin which carries oxygen in our blood is protein, the structure of our genes and brain cells are totally protein. All of our bodily functions are controlled by enzymes, and all enzymes are proteins. The body you have today is built almost entirely from what you have eaten over the past six months, if the protein you eat is poor quality then all the structures of your body, muscles, bones, teeth, skin, will be poor quality. Protein is used by the body daily for renewal of cells, so if you don’t eat enough quality protein, especially after exercise, your body has to make do with poor building materials, you then run the risk of losing precious muscle, which takes your further away from your goal — a toned and healthy body.

How much protein do you need?

 The answer is confusing, on one end of the scale we have the RDA (recommended daily allowance), unfortunately it is based on sedentary people, with no allowances made for losses of protein in sweat. At the other extreme we have the “amazing claims” made by supplement manufacturers peddling their wares.

 Protein needs vary, at Real Nutrition our consultants will prescribe exactly the required amount you need in relation to your goals. Carbohydrate is the most important food group, but getting your protein right, at the correct time of day, will significantly promote fat loss, control appetite, and stabilize blood sugar levels. Protein needs increase, due to illness, pregnancy, and exercise.

Protein is essential for children, athletes and those of you who wish to lose weight and re shape. Protein is also our number one internal cosmetic, so if you want great skin, ensure you supply your body with the raw material (protein). The Bottom Line Based on the human digestive tract and our bodies ability to adapt and rejuvenate, we need protein approximately every 3-4 hours.

Protein aids the body and enables it to stay in a positive nitrogen state, it is in this state that it recovers and rejuvenates. When the body runs out of protein, our body begins to stress and releases cortisol into the system which allows us to use our own protein supply (our lean tissue), when this occurs we decrease our lean structure, our metabolic rate decreases and with it our fat burning capabilities. This negative protein state is highly undesirable and we’re sure you all agree!

A study published last year by researchers at the University of Washington School of Medicine found that the secret weight loss weapon of low-carb diets is protein, because it promotes satiety, the scientific term for fullness, which curbs overeating

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