The Benefits of Protein Shakes

Your body needs two main food group sources to perform normally every day. The first group supplies energy and consists of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. The second group supplies building materials consisting of proteins, amino acids, vitamins, minerals and many other micro-elements.

Protein is formed from amino acids. Many of the 21 amino acids can be made by the body from carbohydrates, but the nine essential amino acids must be provided by the diet. Protein shakes can provide a healthy meal for helping to maintain balanced nutrition, essential vitamins, amino acid, minerals and nutrients in your body.

Many protein shakes include soy protein, fiber and essential nutrients that can help support metabolism, cellular growth, repair and production. They have also been shown to relieve menopause symptoms, facilitate memory improvement and contribute to a healthy prostate. Diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol that include 25 grams of soy protein may reduce the risk of heart disease.

It is a well known fact that protein shakes can be used for both weight loss and enhanced performance. It only takes about thirty minutes for the protein from shakes to reach the muscle after ingestion whereas solid food proteins could take an hour or longer. It is important to understand that your muscle tissue needs protein to maintain itself and when your body does not get enough protein, one of the first places it will get protein is from your muscle tissue. During strenuous workouts your body actually breaks down muscle cells and therefore by taking a protein shake immediately after a workout you are effectively giving the body the necessary building materials to repair existing and produce new lean muscle tissue.

Soy protein from protein shakes also contributes to the body's ability to burn fat because as you consume more protein you increase your metabolism which enables your body to burn stored fat instead of storing more fat. Increased protein intake also appears to suppress the appetite and therefore helps reduce a person's overall calorie intake. Protein shakes are an easy and healthy solution for effective weight loss.

They are a quick and nutritious solution for one or two meals a day and can be a fast meal that can be conveniently enjoyed in the office or on the run without having to sacrifice your daily nutritional needs.

This article is nutritional in nature and is in no way to be interpreted as medical advice. Always consult your doctor before embarking on a medical or nutritional plan.

Nivag Retilob has done extensive research into and writes articles on health and other related subjects. He is also the founder of the web site 2liveherbal.com and is currently based in the USA. For more information visit the website http://www.2liveherbal.com