Why do I need protein in my diet?
The word protein derives from the Greek proteios, which means "of prime importance".
Protein represents one of 3 macronutrients required by the body (the other 2 being fats and carbohydrates). Protein is required in the diet to manufacture enzymes and hormones (specialized forms of protein which drive thousands of metabolic processes essential to life), and to build muscle. Building muscle is also one of the best ways of managing weight - In fact, for every pound of lean muscle mass added to your frame, your body burns approximately 50 extra calories a day! This is because muscle is metabolically active and burns more calories than any other body tissue - even when you’re not moving!
Unlike fat and carbohydrates, however, the body cannot store extra protein or amino acids (the building blocks of all proteins) so it is absolutely essential that you consume enough protein at regular intervals throughout the day. If not, your body will take what it needs by tearing down the precious muscle that you have worked so hard to build!
For maximum results and to help speed muscle recovery, it is important to consume high quality protein supplement immediately after participating in any intensive exercise. This is especially true of exercise programs involving repeated bouts of maximal effort - such as resistance training with weights.
How much protein should I eat?
As a general rule of thumb, active individuals need to consume about 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight every day. If you are looking to build lean muscle mass in combination with weight training, then you will need to increase this amount to about 1.5 grams per pound of body weight. Also, it is more efficient to spread protein consumption evenly into 5 or 6 meals over the course of the day.
For example, an active, 180 lb man should consume about 180 grams of protein per day. Divided into 6 meals, this works out to a minimum of 30 grams of protein per meal.
NOTE: The practice of eating several, smaller meals each day not only ensures that your body gets adequate protein when it needs its, but also helps to maintain a healthy weight by providing a steady supply of other nutrients in your system throughout the day - regulating blood glucose levels, and suppressing the desire to gorge yourself or snack on junk between meals.
What are the best sources of protein?
Although most of your protein intake should come from a variety of protein rich foods such as chicken, egg whites, fresh fish, and lean red meat, it is often necessary to supplement these sources to ensure your body gets enough protein at times when it needs it the most, such as before and immediately after weight training or long distance running. Whey protein is ideal in this case, as it is rapidly absorbed by the body and provides a complete, balanced source of amino acids to fuel muscle recovery and growth.
Why is whey the protein supplement of choice?
Whey (a byproduct of cheese manufacture) constitutes about 20% of the total protein found in milk (the other 80% being casein). Whey protein provides a high concentration of Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAA's), which have been shown to play an important role in muscle recovery and repair. In addition, whey protein completely dissolves in water, is easily digested and more rapidly absorbed by the body (approximately 2-4 times faster than casein). When combined with weight training, supplementation with whey protein is particularly effective for promoting lean muscle growth and reducing body fat.
Are some whey supplements better than others?
Absolutely!!! Many popular supplements today are made with a high proportion of Whey Protein Concentrate, which can range anywhere from 50-80% protein (the rest being mostly carbohydrates). The purest form of whey protein is Whey Protein Isolate which is about 90% protein. Whey Protein Isolate is obtained by means of a more sophisticated filtration process than the one used for Whey Protein Concentrate, and as a result it has the highest amount of protein and least amount of fat & carbohydrates. Even so - just seeing 100% Whey Protein Isolate on a product label does not necessarily mean you are getting a quality product. Many supplement companies use whey protein isolates obtained from dairy farms that allow the use of pesticides and other harmful chemicals. These contaminants eventually can find their way into the end product and ultimately - your body!
To ensure you are truly getting the highest quality and purity of whey protein, you should choose a Whey Protein Isolate which is made from 100% New Zealand Whey
What’s the story on New Zealand whey?
As the world’s largest exporter of dairy products, New Zealand is renowned for having the toughest regulatory controls in the industry. Milk produced in New Zealand is harvested from cows that graze on natural grass pastures which are free of pesticides and other harmful chemicals.
The New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) ensures that milk produced on New Zealand dairy farms is of the highest quality and purity. Dairy products are monitored and tested for antibiotic residues, and must be free of Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH) – a steroid used in some countries to artificially increase dairy production, and which is strictly prohibited in New Zealand.
Why is inbalance Whey Protein Isolate™ so special?
100% New Zealand Whey!
inbalance Whey Protein Isolate™ is formulated using only 100% New Zealand whey, and is packaged in an ultra-modern facility, with strict adherence to industry GMP’s (Good Manufacturing Practices). inbalance™ Whey Protein Isolate is minimally processed so that the protein remains undenatured, soluble, and retains maximum physiologic activity and benefit. This very pure whey protein is free of fat and carbohydrates, and contains naturally occurring immunoglobulins - powerful physiologic factors that help support and maintain a healthy immune response.
Greater choice for a Balanced Lifestyle!
Most other protein supplements come pre-blended with the protein and flavour already in the mix. inbalance nutrition™ however, gives you the freedom to choose and create your own custom flavours using our unique, low calorie FITLICIOUS Flavour Blasters™.
Simply the purest, cleanest whey protein on the planet!™
Other manufacturers who claim to use only New Zealand whey in their product will commonly blend in other ingredients such as Whey Concentrate - which adds fat and lactose, and/or enzyme blends which are completely unecessary and reduce the total amount of whey protein available. Each 30 gram scoop of inbalance Whey Protein Isolate™ however, contains nothing but 100% pure, New Zealand whey protein isolate. When combined with our exclusive, FITLICIOUS Flavour Blasters™ – you’ve got a protein supplement which is second to none in purity, performance, and taste!
What is stevia leaf extract?
Stevia leaf extract is a key ingredient in FITLICIOUS Flavour Blasters™
Stevia is obtained from the “Stevia rebaudiana” bush, which is native to Central and South America, and widely grown for its sweet leaves. When refined into a white powder extract (stevioside), stevia becomes 200-300 times sweeter than sugar and sweetens without raising blood sugar levels. For this reason, stevia is ideally suited to diabetics and persons on carbohydrate restricted diets.
Scientists have reported numerous health benefits of adding stevia to the daily diet. A few of these include the regulation of blood sugar levels, lowering of blood pressure for persons with elevated blood pressure, antibacterial properties in oral applications, lower incidence of colds and flu, improved digestion and relief of upset stomachs. When applied externally in topical preparations, stevia has been observed to have a therapeutic effect on acne, seborrhea, dermatitis and eczema, and extracts placed directly in cuts and wounds, have demonstrated rapid healing without scarring.
In addition, stevia is an exceptional weight loss aid because it contains no calories and reduces the craving for sweets and fatty foods. Steviosides pass through the digestive system without being altered in any way. They simply cannot be broken down into their metabolites under normal gastric conditions, and as a result pass unchanged through the human gastrointestinal tract and are not absorbed into the blood, producing no calories.
What is inulin?
Not to be confused with insulin, inulin is a key ingredient in FITLICIOUS Flavour Blasters™
Made from powdered chicory root, inulin is a source of soluble fibre. It adds no calories and functions as a prebiotic, meaning it supports the growth of healthy intestinal bacteria. Inulin has a minimal impact on blood sugar levels and is generally considered safe for diabetics. Inulin has also been shown to aid in the absorption of calcium and magnesium.
Copyright © 2009. inbalance nutrition
Division of De France Marketing Inc.
All rights reserved.
