Amino Acids - The Nearest Thing to Protein Pills

Many athletes and bodybuilders find it difficult to manage their daily protein intake for example due to work commitments and the use of powdered protein is not always practical.

There are some users of sports nutrition supplements that long for a magic pill that will give them a 20 or 30 gram serving of whey protein but it is not possible to squeeze that amount of protein into a tiny tablet or capsule.

The closest thing we have to a protein pill are amino acid tablets which are simply pre-digested protein and often referred to as the building blocks of muscle but the downside is that each pill only has approximately 1 to 2 grams of protein content.

Such a small amount of protein would mean consuming lots of tablets to get anywhere near the amount of protein content that a good powdered supplement can provide per serving.

Consuming very high quantities of these tablets on a daily basis would actually be counter productive as the body would quickly become immune to their effects.

The best way to use amino acids is to take them as per the manufacturers instructions immediately after training which ensures the nutrients are absorbed quickly by the body.

Some sports nutrition manufacturers have started to develop whey protein supplements in liquid form that can be consumed quickly without the need for mixing or a blender.

Amino acids are a useful addition to your sports nutrition program and can assist in achieving muscle and fitness goals but they will never be considered as a direct alternative to a whey protein supplement.

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The author Dean Bailey has a wealth of experience in the fitness, bodybuilding and sports nutrition industry to see some more of his work please visit Abs Without Exercise where you will find some useful weight loss resources.

Your Secret Weight Loss Tip - Protein, Protein, Protein

Whenever you hear somebody give you their latest tip to help increase your weight loss results, you can guarantee that there will be something different given out each time as the latest and greatest fad that will "definitely work for you".

The one tip that is rarely ever spoken about however is to ensure that you eat protein with each and every single meal. Why is protein so beneficial? There are a number of reasons but let me start from the top.

The most important reason why you should be having some type of protein with each and every meal that you eat each day is because it increases your body's sense of fullness.

What does this mean? Well, to put it simply, you will not be as hungry after eating something that has protein as the major ingredient. You will feel fuller longer. Compare this to if you eat something that is highly processed and full of sugars like potato chips. Your body will be craving them and without a doubt you will be feeling hungry again almost as soon as you finish your mouthful and you will want to eat more and more without ever getting that sense of fullness until you have stuffed yourself silly.

Another great reason is because protein is also known as the body's building block. It is used to repair your muscles after training and exercise. By having protein you will be helping repair those muscles that you have exhausted during your session and it will help you emerge leaner and stronger as a result.

Now that you know two reasons why protein is essential to your daily diet requirements, what are the best sources for you to get this protein?

Glad you asked! The best sources are those that are fresh and natural. Good examples include lean meats like turkey and chicken breast; lean red meats are also a good source. Eggs, nuts, seeds, lentils, tofu, and beans are also all great ways to get your protein intake each day. You could even include Greek yoghurt as a good protein source as this has little human interference. Being a vegetarian is no excuse as you saw some great examples above that are vegetarian options.

Protein is an essential component of every meal that you have from breakfast right through to your after dinner snack. Once you realise the importance that protein plays in your weight loss role, only then will you be able to finally achieve the body that you deserve and rightly desire.

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Protein Drinks - A Real Winner!

Protein Drinks The growth in demand for protein drinks, energy bars and probiotics, not to mention sports drinks (to replace those electrolytes you loose through sweating etc) seems to be one without end, the increased demand no doubt being in part due to the drive for a "healthier life style" and the pressure on many to take more exercise.

Pro-biotic's - Health Benefits There is quite a debate on whether pro-biotic products actually do any good or not, the Food Standards Agency being amongst those running tests to see if the "good bacteria" (the basis of the pro-biotic idea is that it provides bacteria that the body needs to make the human gut function properly) actually can survive in the harsh conditions in the human gut.

Protein Drinks & Health Food Energy Bars Here too questions as to the need for Protein Drinks and Energy Bars are being asked by many, the BBC itself having a line on the matter, the question they raise being "With the large range of protein drinks and supplements on the market, it's easy to believe protein plays an essential role in fuelling your workouts. But how much do you really need?". As they say the debate has been raging for years and is unlikely to go away quickly, however the fact remains that the market place for protein drinks and health food "energy" bars is one that is growing, and one of the things that can make or break a product is just how tasty (while of course still being "healthy") it can be made.

Flavours in Protein Drinks & Energy Bars This is just where we at the House of Flavours can help you, our Research and Development section being able to create the flavouring you require. Once we have found that "flavour" our production teams will then produce it in the quantities you need at the price that will enable you to take your poduct to the market. So if you want to join the rush in this "Health Food" market, talk to us, we know we can help.

Sports Drinks & Electrolytes So why are all those sportsman so keen on replacing their electrolytes? Quite simply because it seems that "Depletion of the body's carbohydrate stores and dehydration are two factors that will limit prolonged exercise" and if there is a race to be won then this is something that they will want to avoid. Sweating is of course the main way that you loose water during exercise, and the effect on the body is quite amazing as shown:

2% of body weight lost by sweating leads to impaired performance

4% of body weight lost by sweating leads to the decline in the capacity of the muscles

5% of body weight lost by sweating leads to possible heat exhaustion

7% of body weight lost by sweating leads to possible hallucinations

10% of body weight lost by sweating leads to potential death via circulatory collapse and heat stroke

Besides this of course is the loss of the minerals such as chloride, calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium, all of which are required for the body to work effectively, as without them the normal cellular activity cannot continue. it is said that a litre of sweat typically contains 0.02g Calcium, 0.05g Magnesium, 1.15g Sodium, 0.23g Potassium and 1.48g Chloride. This composition will of course vary from person to person, but in all cases these losses need replacing, hence the need for sports drinks containing these essential electrolytes.

Making the Drink Special is the Answer Of course in a crowded market place the answer is to make sure that your offering is that little bit special, and here, as with protein drinks and health food bars, The House of Flavours can help you make your product a real winner in the taste stakes.

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Whey Protein Bars - Convenient Sports Nutrition

Before whey protein bars came along the only way for bodybuilders, power lifters and athletes to meet their protein requirements was by using a protein powder. There are occasions when whey protein supplements are not always the best option. This often applies to the workplace environment where it is not always possible to carry a tub of protein powder and a mixer.

To remedy this problem, many sports nutrition supplement manufacturers developed whey protein bars. These supplements usually contain around 20 to 30 grams of quality protein as well as a range of vitamins and minerals and are a convenient way to keep on top of your daily protein requirement.

There are various types of whey protein bars including low carbohydrate, low fat and most versions contain sweeteners rather than sugar. To cater for those wanting to bulk up there is also weight gain versions. In some whey protein bars, there are added ingredients such as creatine and glutamine.

Whey protein bars look just like your average chocolate bar and the tastes have been improved significantly compared to the first examples that went on sale. There are already numerous different flavours available and more exotic ones are always being developed.

You can consume these products anywhere without any mixing or preparation. They provide high quality, easy to digest protein whenever you need it. This is particularly useful for those people whose job involves spending a large part of their working day travelling. In these scenarios, it can be difficult to eat healthily or to take your sports supplements.

Regardless of your goals almost all athletes will benefit from a high protein diet and whey protein bars have now become an essential and convenient sports nutrition supplement. These products tend to mirror powdered supplements in that much the same ingredients are used. In comparison with many other snacks, protein bars are healthy and nutritious options.

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What Protein Does for Your Diet

When working out or taking part in rigorous exercise in order to gain muscle you will need to consume Protein in order to achieve the most from your work out.

Protein is a very important element in health and fitness and if you are looking to gain muscle and burn some serious fat then Protein is the way forward. The usual intake for a healthy diet is about 36grams per 100lb of bodyweight – this keeps your body functioning normally. If you want to increase your muscle and burn extra fat then you will need to double this amount.

When you add more protein to your diet you will see the difference very quickly. Protein increases amino acids in your muscles which means they will build strongly and quickly. It also affects hormones in your body and you will start to burn fat much quicker.

It’s a well known fact that the more muscle you have the more fat you’ll burn – your body will switch from fat storing to fat burning mode if you take in a lot more protein. This is great if you are looking to burn some serious fat and lose weight
or if you are looking to get more definition and build up your muscles quickly. Of course too much of any element can affect your body in a variety of different ways. Everyone is different – if you speak to your doctor they will be able to advise you on a safe amount of protein to consume in order to achieve the results you are looking for. A safe assumption is to double the usual in take – so 36grams is the normal intake so increase it to around 60grams and you will see a difference.

You will have more energy – you will also be able to burn fat quickly and you will see your muscles pump up like never before. It’s a safe way to increase your muscle building exercises and you will be able to make the most out of your exercise regime.

Protein in Body Building Recipes - Disadvantages of Excessive Protein

One of the most common misconceptions when making your body building recipes is that you have to considerably increase your protein intake to build up those muscles. Some people even go to extremes, such that their whole diet becomes composed purely of protein.

As opposed to what most people believe, taking too much protein can give more harm to your body than good. Too much protein in your body building recipes can put a lot of stress on your body organs, specifically your kidneys.

When you have too much protein in your body building recipes, your body produces a lot of ketones, which are toxic to the body. The kidneys then have to work harder to excrete the ketones out of the body. While your kidneys are working overtime to excrete the excess ketones, your body also loses water. If your body loses too much water, especially if you sweat a lot when you exercise, you can get dehydrated. Dehydration makes you lose electrolytes and result in weakness, dizziness, and occasionally arrhythmias.

Good body building recipes are composed of a balance of carbohydrates, fats and protein in the diet. An important thing to remember when making your body building recipes is that you will not be able to increase your muscle mass by merely increasing your protein intake. It is also imperative that you increase your total caloric intake.

While using your body building recipes, you will also have to increase your exercise level. A 1992 study revealed that if you increase both your protein and caloric intake but maintain your activity level, you will gain muscle mass, but you will also gain fat at the same time.

When making your body building recipes, don't just follow the hype. Remember that to be able to build muscle mass, it is important to keep your body healthy and functioning effectively.

How to Pick the Best Flavor of Whey Protein

How to Pick the Best Flavor of Whey Protein

When it comes to muscle building supplements, I don't think any of them have more flavors than whey protein. So what is the best flavor of whey protein? Well, the answer to this question really depends on the person, but here are a few things to consider as you're looking at the different flavors that are available for the different brands:

Flavor Mixability

Sometimes you may want to mix your whey protein with something else, such as milk or perhaps a sports drink if you're making a home-made workout drink. How well does your flavor mix with the flavors of Gatorade or Powerade that you might be using? How well does it taste with milk? Or does it just taste good by itself with water?

Another thought on this is how does it taste with regular food? Is the flavor universal enough that it goes good with anything, or should it only be taken with dessert?

Aftertaste

Nobody likes a flavor with a bad aftertaste. And honestly, there are some strange flavors in some of the different brands of whey protein out there! Try a few and see what flavors like to stick around the most.

Allow for Variety

This point sort of goes back to the flavor mixability idea, but some flavors are really only used well with a small amount of other items. For example. there are only so many thing that you can mix a cookies n' creme protein powder with. Vanilla on the other hand can be so much more versatile. Here are in my opinion the top 3 when it comes to usability:

* Vanilla
* Chocolate
* Strawberry

Most of the other unique flavors are just too unique to be mixed with a lot of other things, so if you're buying your whey protein with the intention of using it multiple ways, you should stick with one of the 3 listed above.

On the other hand, if you're buying your protein just because you love the flavor, go for it! I had a container of Dymatize Elite Pina Colada once, and I drank it just for the flavor. The only down side to this was that after going through all 5 lbs of it I was a little tired of the flavor.

So what are your favorite flavors? Do you prefer the kind that mix well with other things or the unique flavors? Share your opinion in the comments section below!

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