Why is Protein SO Important?

Since I have been working out six days a week I have been taking a closer look at my diet as to not ruin all the work I do at the gym, at home in the kitchen. My workout buddy Lamby stresses to me everyday how important it is for me to get my protein after a workout. This has got me thinking, why is protein so important? Protein: are large molecules consisting of one or more chains of amino acid residues. Protein is an important building block of muscles, bones, blood, skin and cartilage. Protein is also used to make enzymes, hormones and other bodily chemicals. Protein contains 4 calories (or energy) per gram. Approximately 18-20% of the human body is protein by weight. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services active men need three daily servings of protein for a total of seven ounces, while woman only need two servings daily for a total of six ounces. Why is it so important to have protein right after a workout? During a workout out we are using our muscles and pushing them to a depleted state, after the workout the proteins in our muscles are breaking down in order to restore that you most have protein post workout. By having protein right after a workout you will replenish your energy stores, increase muscles size or muscles quality and repair the damage caused by the workout. Athletes also need more protein than a non- active individual. How much protein should you be having each day? Protein should be 10-35% of your daily caloric intake, nutritionists recommend 1 gram of protein per 1 kilogram of body weight. That turns out to be about 46 grams per day for adult woman and 56 grams for adult men. Protein packed foods also make you feel fuller so you don’t need to fill up on anything else, you don’t have to snack on that bag of potato chips stashed in your pantry. Tomorrow after my workout I will make sure to chug my protein shake right after my workout now that I learned all the benefits of protein and everything it does for the body. I had no idea protein was so important for our bodies but I’m so glad I learned now; I can make sure I get my proper amount of protein so I can build my muscles the correct way.