Protein Intake — How Much Protein Should You Eat per Day?
The exact amount of protein you need depends on many
factors, including your activity level, age, muscle mass, and general health.
Few nutrients are as essential as protein. Not getting
enough of it will affect your health and body composition.
However, opinions differ on how much protein you need.
Most official nutrition organizations recommend a relatively
modest protein intake.
The DRI (Dietary Reference Intake) is 0.36 grams of protein
per pound (0.8 grams per kilogram) of body weight.
This equates to 54 grams per day for a 150-pound sedentary
person or 65 grams per day for a 180-pound passive person:
This may be enough to prevent deficiency, but how much you
need depends on many factors, including your activity level, age, muscle mass,
fitness goals, and general health.
This article looks at optimal amounts of protein and how
lifestyle factors such as weight loss, muscle building, and activity levels
play a role. @smarttechpros
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What is protein, and why is it important?
Proteins are the building blocks of the body. They are used
to make muscles, tendons, organs, and skin, as well as enzymes, hormones,
neurotransmitters, and various molecules that serve many vital functions.
Proteins are made of smaller molecules called amino acids,
which are strung together like beads on a string. These linked amino acids form
long chains of proteins, which then fold into complex shapes.
Your body makes some of these amino acids, but you must get
others, known as essential amino acids, from your diet.
Protein is not just about quantity but also about quality.
In general, animal protein provides all essential amino
acids in the proper proportions so you can get the most out of them. This makes
sense because animal tissues are similar to yours.
If you eat animal products such as meat, fish, eggs or dairy
every day, you are likely getting enough protein.
However, if you don't eat animal foods, getting all the
proteins and essential amino acids your body needs can be more challenging. If
you follow a vegan diet, you may be interested in this article on the 17 Best
Protein Sources for Vegetarians.
Few people need a protein supplement, but doing so can benefit
athletes and bodybuilders.
summary
Protein is a structural molecule made up of amino acids,
many of which your body can't make on its own. Foods of animal origin are
usually rich in protein and provide all essential amino acids.
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Protein is essential when it comes to losing weight.
However, protein's most significant contribution to weight loss is probably its ability to reduce appetite, which results in reduced caloric intake. Protein is better than fat or carbohydrates for keeping you full (5Trusted Source, 6Trusted Source).
In a study of obese men, consuming 25% of calories from
protein increased feelings of fullness and reduced late-night snack cravings
and obsessive thoughts about food by 50% and 60%, respectively. (7).
In another 12-week study, women who increased their protein
intake to 30% of calories ate 441 fewer calories per day and lost 11 pounds (5
kg) simply by adding more protein to their diet (8).
Plus, protein does more than help you lose weight — it can
also prevent weight gain.
In one study, a modest increase in protein from 15 to 18% of
calories reduced the fat people regained after losing weight by 50% (9Trusted
Source).
Eating large amounts of protein also helps build and
maintain muscle mass, which burns a smaller number of calories over the day.
Eating more protein makes it much easier to stick to any
weight loss diet, whether high-carb, low-carb or anything in between. @techgeeksblogger