Protein and Weight Loss - Is there any Relation in these

Now it has become a trend that we all are trying to switch on to low carb diet. It occurs mainly due to the fact that high protein diet actually enhances weight loss. A recent British study confirmed that there is a strong correlation between diet high in protein and weight loss. The study also said that the diet high in protein triggers in releasing hormone that influences weight loss.

Typically, we avoid high calorie food to maintain healthy balance in life. But the truth is if we do not get enough protein in our diet, we may suffer from varieties of health complications. Lack of protein in our regular diet may cause harm to all the organs - from the heart to kidney. It also causes weaker immune system; hence our health may be affected by a variety of diseases.

About Weight Loss

In recent years, there are few high-protein diet programs available in the market claiming for weight loss. However, supports received from the diet gurus and health practitioners are generally inclined with the low calorie diet rather the high-protein ones. However, the relation between protein and weigh loss is not appreciated by each and every research fellow. It is said that low carb diets are mainly linked up with reduced calorie intake and increased diet timing but not with decreased carbohydrate content.

The essential feature of low-carb high-protein diet is rapid weight loss. But it is viewed from a different perspective by the skeptics. They rejected the theory about the relation between the diet high in protein and weight loss and argued that it occurs mainly due to the fact of excessive urination. When the body makes up inadequate supply of dietary carbohydrates, it uses body's own carbohydrates stored in the liver and kidney. During this process, the water is mobilized. The mobilized water is then discharged from the body in the form of urine. Hence the rapid weight loss occurs at the initial stages high-protein diet.

Substituting few dietary carbohydrates with high-protein diet may lead to significant short term weight loss benefits. But the condition says that the diet must be low-fat one as well. Protein and weight loss may become a trendy topic in these days because of its known results contributing to rapid weight loss. But some scientific researches have shown some long term disadvantages as well. Therefore, a slow but certain weight loss can be ensured with a healthy high fiber, moderate protein and low fat plan. This is not a short term plan but a way of healthy living that we can maintain throughout of our lives.

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Tastes like Chicken Stir Fry with a light terriaki flavor and it's packed with 15 grams of soy protein. Just add some of your own sliced peppers, mushrooms and onions (not included), serve on top of some healthy brown rice, and you'll have an amazing, high protein diet meal!

Important Information On High Protein Foods

There are many different amino acids that you body must have. Your body produces some essential amino acids while others must be found in another source such as various types of high protein foods or supplements.

Regardless of the type of high protein foods you eat the first thing you need to do is to determine the actual amount of protein in the food. The best way to do this is with an eating plan that focuses on high protein foods. With an eating plan that focuses on high protein foods you will not only control your protein intake with high protein foods but you will be able to quickly reach your health and fitness goals.

Even if your eating plan does focus on foods high in protein you still need to supplement with a very high quality multi vitamin and mineral supplement. We can, with complete piece-of-mind, fully recommend this high quality multi vitamin product as an addition to your high protein diet.

Foods high in protein mean nothing if you don't use them properly and follow a sound nutritional plan.

We've received only very positive feedback from the individuals who have already used this terrific and very convenient nutritional plan packed full of all the information you need to know about high protein foods. You may find that you do not need to eat nearly as much protein to get all the amino acids and other vital nutrients you need, saving you a lot of money in the long run after purchasing this one-of-a-kind nutritional system built around high protein foods.

Now to continue with the detailed information on foods high in protein.

There is a foods high in protein list that you can access near the bottom of this page but first there is a lot of important information you need to know about high protein foods before you take a look at the foods high in protein list. There are a lot of different types of foods high in protein but you just need to stick with the types of foods high in protein most commonly associated with good health and fitness.

Here are some types of protein that the best foods high in protein will contain. Please note some of these high protein foods can be used by themselves as high protein foods in your diet.

High protein diet and foods

The high protein diet has become one of the most popular diets around these days. The idea behind it is simple, no matter what your goals are, everyone can benefit from eating a high protein diet and eating high protein foods. Whether your goal is to increase muscle, gain weight and get big, lose weight and lose fat, get and/or stay lean, this type of diet is right for you. There are many reasons why it is one of the only types of diets around that can be effective for so many different people with so many different goals and bodies. However, depending on exactly what your goal is (weight loss, weight gain, gaining muscle, etc.) little changes will have to be made to it. First, lets look at why this type of diet is so effective.

Your body needs protein, and lots of it. It is the building block of muscle, which is why eating a high protein diet with high protein foods is EXTREMELY important for anyone looking to increase muscle, gain weight/get big, or anyone just looking to build muscle. Without enough protein in the body, muscle mass will not increase. During your weightlifting and strength training workout, your muscles are getting broken down. In order to rebuild and repair your muscles, your body needs protein. It is as simple as that.

So now your wondering how a high protein diet can be effective for someone trying to lose weight and lose fat, right? Well, it is just as simple. Most high protein foods are extremely low in carbs and extremely low in saturated fat (which is the fat that you DON'T want to eat). Therefore, by eating a high protein diet loaded with high protein foods, at the same time you'd end up eating low carb foods and low saturated fat foods. And, if you didn't already know, in order to lose weight and lose fat, eating low carbs and eating little or no saturated fat is a MUST.

Low-Carb High Protein Diets

This type of diet became very popular as of recently due to the promotion of the ever-popular Atkins Diet Craze. This diet is very popular because there is no calorie counting involved, and many foods that many people love to eat are allowed on the diet. Further, the Atkins diet is a high-protein diet, which means that weight lost during this diet will not result in lost muscle mass, since protein is the main nutrient needed for maintaining healthy muscle tone. This diet basically eliminates carbohydrates, which are simple sugars or foods that break down into simple sugars. These serve as empty calories in your diet, providing no nutrients yet many calories.

While we wont cover the Atkins diet here, we can give you basics of the high-protein, low-carb diet. First let us identify carbohydrates. Sugar, including powdered sugar, granulated white sugar, brown sugar, or any type of sugar you can think of, is the main carbohydrate that you would need to eliminate. All types of pastas count as carbohydrates, meaning all noodle and spaghetti products must be eliminated. Starches of any type, such as white rice, potatoes and potato chips, need to be eliminated. Cereals are mostly carbohydrates and should be avoided entirely during the diet phase. Because of the low-carb craze, there are many low-carb options of sodas, milk, ice cream, bread, beer, and wine available in the average supermarket.

If you do consume these, be sure to do so only occasionally and in moderation, even if it is a low-carb type. Otherwise, the aforementioned foods should be eliminated entirely when not of the low-carb type. Beware of foods that contain hidden sugars, like bacon, barbeque sauce, ketchup, salad dressing, cough syrup, and fruit juice. As strange as it may seem, fruits and fruit juices should be eliminated while in the weight loss phase of this diet, as they are nearly pure carbohydrates. Anything made with flour needs to be eliminated during the weight loss phase, since as mentioned earlier they are high in carbohydrates.

Now what can you eat? Well, the good news is that you can eat all meats, fish, poultry and seafood, except prepared meats like bacon and honey baked ham, which are high in sugar. Skip the bread and have meat and salad, or meat in your salad. Eggs are very low-carb friendly, but be sure to skip the mayonnaise or salad dressing unless it is low-carb type mayonnaise or dressing. Any type of vegetable is fine, but be sure to realize that when making that salad that tomatoes are actually a fruit, and you want to limit your consumption of them at least during the weight loss phase. Choose brown rice as your starch replacement, as it is low in carbohydrates comparatively to potatoes, bread or white rice. Cheese is good in limited amounts, as this is a high-protein, low-carb food. Butter and cream can be used, but should be consumed in limited amounts. One complex carbohydrate that is good is fiber, as it does not break down into simple sugar, and helps the body with elimination. Further, fiber fills you up quickly without adding significant calories, so hunger pangs are fought off successfully.

Finally, make sure you are drinking at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day minimum in addition to any other liquid you may consume. Dehydration often masquerades as hunger and causes overeating. Of course, again exercise is a necessary and vital part of your diet plan, which we will cover in the next section on exercise.

Once you lose the weight that you set out to lose, the weight loss phase of your diet is over. Of course keep in mind that you are making lifestyle changes, not going on fad or binge diets. This means that you will not go back to your old eating habits. Instead you will introduce certain foods back into your diet in moderation. For example, you may add a couple of strips of bacon once a week to your meal plan. You can enjoy small portions of deserts of any kind, simply in moderation. It is best to avoid soft drinks all together, or opt for the low-carb type permanently. If you do introduce any other carbohydrate-laden foods, be sure to do so only at one meal, and in small portions. Reducing carbohydrates will become a lifestyle to you when following this plan, one is very likely to boost your overall energy level and help you keep the weight off.

Lose Weight With Protein

A diet based on an increased intake of foods high in protein have been shown in a number of studies to give an added boost to dieters by helping them increase weight loss, increase loss of body fat, and reduce the loss of muscle tissue.

It's recommended that your diet should contain 25 to 35 percent protein for weight loss and between 20 to 25 percent protein for weight maintenance. In either situation the protein in the food should be high quality. Protein requires more energy to digest than other foods helping you to use more calories and therefore may help with weight loss. Also, protein helps to preserve lean muscle tissue while you lose fat. If your body doesn't get enough protein and the important essential amino acids on a daily basis it will simple take the protein from existing muscle tissue.

Protein foods also help to slow down the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream. This in turn reduces hunger by reducing insulin levels and making it easier for the body to burn fat.

"Protein Facts"

Protein' regardless of the types of foods high in protein it comes from, contains 4 calories per gram.

Next to water, protein is the most plentiful substance in the body. Muscles, skin, eyes, individual cells and your immune system are just a few of your body parts comprised primarily of protein. Protein is the main building block of your body. It's essential that your entire body receives enough protein from food to ensure proper growth and maintenance. Protein foods also provide you with essential amino acids that your body cannot manufacture itself.

And finally, there is NO documented proof that indicates high amounts of protein or higher levels of protein intake in general lead to kidney malfunction in healthy women, no documented proof whatsoever.

Soy Versus Whey Protein For Muscle Building

If you visit a muscle building forum, you will undoubtedly see a few threads full of people arguing about the pros and cons of soy versus whey protein for muscle building purposes. So in this article, I'm going to try and sort it out once and for all. It's a pretty simple issue really, so it won't take long to get to the truth.

The Biological Value indicates both how digestible the protein is and how available the protein is for use by the body. Biological value began as a percentage - A whole egg rated at 100% nitrogen absorbed. According to the study conducted by a medical doctor by the name of Aaron Tabor, soy protein versus whey protein has a bigger advantage especially when it comes to your exercise.

Basically, there are a couple of different protein powders. Whey protein is derived from cows milk. Remember that old nursery rhyme, Incy Wincy Spider Well that mentions curds and whey. Basically two parts of milk. Whey protein is obviously taken from the whey part of the milk. Then threes soy protein. This is the stuff that is made from soy products. Obviously comes from a different place so it will obviously have different properties. The question you want answered is, which is better for muscle building

My answer to this question is whey protein. The answer can get quite involved when you look at it from a scientific point of view, but I'm not a scientist, I'm a bodybuilder, so I'm going to look at it from a bodybuilders point of view )

Basically, it has been shown in various scientific studies that soy protein can lead to higher levels of estrogen in the body. This is the female hormone and something that you don't want to have more of if you are looking at building muscle. Firstly, you don't want estrogen because it has no role in muscle building, it only has a negative impact. Heightened levels of estrogen is what actually causes gynocomastia, or man boobs. And I'm not just talking about the little bit of fat that some guys have, I'm talking about actually growing small amounts of breast tissue.

On the other hand, whey protein can actually cause your body to become more anabolic. Meaning it will build muscle more efficiently. And since you are looking to use whey protein for muscle building, this is the one you want to choose.

So there you go, the debate can finally be ended and you can get rid of that tub of soy protein you have sitting in your cupboard.

Why Protein is Crucial For Fat Loss

Whether it be for fat loss or muscle gain, I always recommend taking a good protein supplement. The reason for this is simple: it is a convenient way to get high-quality protein without excess calories. The most popular and highest quality protein powder is whey protein. Whey is very digestible and is used efficiently in the body.

You can maximize the effects you get from your protein supplement simply by knowing exactly when to take it. Here is a list of the when, why and how of effective protein supplementation, ranked in order of importance.

1. Immediately After A Workout

If you only take protein once per day, this is the absolute best time to take it. Immediately after you finish your workout, your body needs raw materials to rebuild and recover with. If you don’t supply the raw materials through eating, your body will break down muscle from elsewhere in your body in order to rebuild the damaged areas. This is very counterproductive as you can well imagine.

By taking in some protein (20 to 30 grams or so) within minutes after exercise, you provide your body with the raw materials it needs to recover without breaking down it’s own muscle tissue.

2. An Hour After A Workout

About an hour following a workout, your body has settled down from the excitement and is ready to really start rebuilding. The protein that you took in immediately following the workout has been metabolized and your body is looking for more. Another protein shake at this time is a good way to help speed recovery. Try to take in another 20 to 30 grams about an hour after working out.

3. First Thing In The Morning

Immediately upon waking, or as soon after that as you can manage, take a scoop of protein powder. Your body has just been through an (approximately) 8 hour fast and is hungry for nutrients. Feed your body! Protein powder is more quickly assimilated than solid food and gets into your muscles faster. This protein shot gives your metabolism a boost, which can help with fat loss. Be sure to follow it with a good breakfast, of course.

4. Last Thing At Night

Prepare your body for the long overnight fast by giving it a little something to work with. A good combination for this purpose is to mix a scoop of whey protein in with a small glass of milk. Whey is what’s known as a "fast" protein, meaning that it’s digested quickly, while milk protein (casein) is what’s known as a "slow" protein, meaning it’s digested relatively slowly. At night, you want your protein to be metabolized slowly so that your body gets a more even supply over the course of the night. By mixing "fast" and "slow" proteins, you get the benefits of the higher-quality whey with the slower digestion time of the milk.

Which Protein Is Best For You?

If you are physically active and taking supplements but still cannot seem to get the energy back in your body and brain, then it’s time to look at how much and what kind of protein you are getting. Even though dieters have been using high-protein diets for years, many are unaware of how much protein they actually need and how critical it is to their overall health. Low-protein diets can be lacking greatly in a lot of essential nutrients such as zinc, iron, manganese, chromium, copper, and others. This deficiency can cause illness and fatigue. Protein deficiency leads to difficult recovery from exercise, feeling tired, frequent colds, poor hair or nails, and a cessation in menstrual period for women, which may sound pleasant but is potentially dangerous. People of all ages are not aware of how much their protein needs change as they increase exercise. As your activity increases, so does your protein needs.

Protein is important in your body because every single cell in the body is made up of proteins. Protein is also essential for muscle building, producing red blood cells, the production of various enzymes and hormones, and good hair, nails, and skin. Our immune systems are almost all protein based, so providing our body with protein means that we can fight colds and other infections better. Proteins are also needed in our body to repair muscle damage that occurs during mild exercise. Protein is made from a chain of amino acids and our body cannot make some of these amino acids, which means that they need to be found in our diet. There are eight amino acids that our body cannot make and must be found in our diet every day. These include: isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine. Although it is nice to know which amino acids are essential, it is even more important to know where you can find these amino acids because your muscles and body need them on a daily basis.

Since proteins are constantly being broken down, it is necessary to get some every day. It is suggested that women aged 19 to 70 need 46 grams of protein per day, while men of the same age need 56 grams. Now that you know that protein is essential to your life, what kind of protein is actually needed? Even though protein can be found in a good diet by simply eating meat, nuts, eggs, and other foods, many of us with busy lives need a quick and convenient source of protein. At a health food store, your choices are soy, casein, whey, and egg. Although the classic protein source is whey protein, the problem is that even though it has a high amount of useable amino acids, some people don’t like it or have a hard time taking it. Other proteins like soy and casein don’t have the complete amino acid content that your body is looking for.

With all the different forms of protein available one might wonder which is best? Egg white is the perfect protein source. Egg whites contain more than half the protein of an egg and are also rich in chlorine, niacin, potassium, magnesium, riboflavin, selenium, vitamin K, and sulfur. Additionally, egg whites have a high amount of protein but exclude the cholesterol and sodium found in the yolk.

Egg white protein is considered almost perfect because human requirements for amino acids and the amino acids contained in eggs are almost identical. Eggs are also one of the well-tolerated proteins, as over 90 percent of the protein of eggs is digested into the individual amino acids that your body needs. Egg white protein is one of the few products on the market that taste good without the added artificial flavors, colors, or additives.

How Much Protein Do You Really Need?

This is hardly a secret to bodybuilding fanatics. While most of what you eat is generally from sources of carbohydrates, approximately one-fourth of the calories in your daily intake should consist of protein. Otherwise, your workout hour will consist of anything but power.

Too often, dieters indulge in low-fat diets that deprive their bodies of much-needed protein. Thus, the body begins to devour its muscle tissue like a hungry vulture.

In order to nourish your body with the proper amount of protein, it is first necessary to determine what your body fat percentage is and then weigh your lean body mass up against your level of physical activity. For example, if you are somebody who exercises on the average of an hour per week, then you’ll need to nourish your system with .7 grams of protein for every pound of lean body mass. So, if you have 140 pounds of lean body mass, you’ll need to take in 98 grams of protein per day.

If you are a more hard-core trainer who works out on the average of five hours per week, you’ll need to upgrade your protein intake to .9 grams per pound of lean body mass, which for the same person, would equate to 126 grams of protein per day.

Even couch potatoes need their protein, at least .6 grams for every pound of lean mass. Otherwise, serious health problems could result.

To engineer you protein diet, here are a few sources to guide you.

CHICKEN BREAST: This doesn’t necessarily come before the egg, but chicken breasts are among the most common of protein sources. Low in fat, remember to tear the skin off first while avoiding any fattening seasonings. Honey mustard is usually a great way to add some taste. The average chicken breast consists of 35 grams of protein.

EGGS: For a hard-boiled body, egg whites are tremendous in delivering the proteins that you need. Be sure to remove the yoke first (it’s loaded with cholesterol) before letting ‘em down the hatch. There are approximately 4 grams of protein in each egg white so you can load up on them throughout the day. Also, egg whites are fat free!

TUNA: Sparkle up your protein diet with Sparky himself. As long as you’re not mixing it with that fattening mayonnaise, tuna is an excellent dietary food that will provide you with the protein you need. There’s approximately 25 grams of protein in a can of low-fat tuna.

Importance Of High Protein And Low Fat Diet

For most high protein diets means low carbohydrates. Even body builders are not advised to go on a low carbohydrate diet as they have high protein requirements. Protein are the main source of muscle building, cell replenish and maintaining a good level of blood. In other words, proteins are the main building block of a body. And those who are interested in high protein diet need to do it carefully to avoid loss of carbs.

The main advantage of a high protein diet is that it triggers weight loss. Proteins have amino acids in them which are the main reason of good health. If your body is deficient in amino acid then you are bound to have health issues. If your diet revolves around good intake of protein instead of refined foods with high carbohydrate concentration then the body will turn into a state of ketosis. In this state the body will turn towards burning fats as energy source when it will not find fuel in the form of carbohydrates. Thus lesser carbohydrates mean more burning of fats.

Researchers have shown that not all intakes of protein are helpful. Let's say that you are taking a vegetable that are rich with high proteins but they are fried and dripping in oil then they more harmful to your health then being of any health to your body.

Another very good source of proteins is meat. Meat like pork and beef are rich with proteins and other nutrients. Or if you are a lover of oily and fried foods then you can opt to eat fish and other seafood. The reason behind this is that these are not only rich with proteins but also have fatty acid in them that help you in maintaining a good blood cholesterol level as well as prevent such conditions as stroke or coronary artery diseases.

However, some experts claim that too much protein results in reduction of calcium supply in body and cause diseases like osteoporosis. Moreover, the efficiency of kidneys is reduced. A high consumption of proteins can cause kidney stones, by increasing uric acid levels in the body.