Diet & Weight Loss Articles

The Role Of Protein In Your Weight Loss

With all the fuss about high-protein diets, you might wonder how protein really makes a difference when you're trying to lose weight.

As the body's "architect", protein plays a vital role in building and maintaining body structures, including muscles, tendons, ligaments, circulatory system, brain, immune system, skin and other organs. These structures need a regular supply of "fresh" protein to build new cells. Unfortunately, when you cut calories to lose weight, you tend to cut protein-rich foods out of your diet. Without protein, your body tissues start to break down.

Taking a closer look, all protein consists of amino acids. When you eat foods that are high in protein, your body breaks down the protein into its amino acids and rebuilds them in specific sequences to form the structures it needs. However, your body can't make nine specific amino acids (called essential amino acids), so it relies on your daily food intake for its necessary supply.

In addition, research has shown that protein-based meals fill you up more than a carbohydrate based meal, as well as inducing a higher metabolic rate. Protein gives food its "staying power" so you'll feel less hungry.

That's why nutritional high-protein supplements (such as shakes, puddings, soups, drinks, bars and meals) play a key role in your weight loss program.

Each product provides complete, high-quality proteins , to ensure you meet your dietary protein needs, maintaining a higher "fat burning" metabolic rate, while helping curb your appetite - even when you're restricting calories.