Why Bodybuilders Must Increase Protein Intake
Bodybuilders have known for a long time that protein is important for muscle growth. But, what they didn't know, and what is now coming to light, is that fact that high protein intake can actually help with fat loss because of a process called thermogenisis. This is the process in which the body uses fat.
Studies are now clearly showing that eating high protein diets vs. high carbohydate diets are helping the person to lose more fat and less of the lean muscle tissue that we all want to keep.
The Journal of The American College of Nutrition conducted research and found that postprandial thermogenesis is increased 100 percent on a high protein diet, low fat diet vs. a high carb, low fat diet. Simply put, this means the body required more energy to process the high protein diet and therfore burnt more calories - therefore a better diet for reducing fat.
Additionally, the research showed elevated Nitrogen levels in the people on the high protein diet - and Nitrogen is the substance that promotes muscle growth and faster recovery times.
Reading the above, I am sure your first reaction (as was mine) will be to ask about the possible harm eating a high protein diet can have on your body. It has long been believed that high protein intake can potentially cause renal failure.
Again studies are showing this to be false. The US National Institue of Health reported that converse to popular belief, high protein diets help prevent kidney disease, hypertension and diabetes.
So, in conclusion - bodybuilders have had the right idea all along - and for everyone else, reducing carbs and increasing protein (low fat) will help in a weight loss program and help increase lean muscle.
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