How much protein do you need daily?
Protein is considered to be a macronutrient, along with carbohydrates and fats. Macronutrients provide energy in the form of calories, and our bodies require large amounts of them for energy, growth and tissue repair, and to regulate and maintain body functions. The recommended daily amount of protein for men, in general, is approximately 56 gms/day while women, in general, require approximately 46 gms/day. Currently, the USDA recommends that you get 10-35% of your calories from protein.
There are many important reasons why we need to eat protein. They comprise part of your DNA and are found in the nucleus of every cell in the body. Proteins make up muscle and bone tissue as well as your red blood cells. Keratin is the protein from which hair, nails, and skin are formed. Special proteins called enzymes act as catalysts to speed up reactions involved in cellular metabolic processes.
How much protein you need to eat per day depends upon a number of variables, and the daily protein intake isn’t going to be the same for everyone.
Your lifestyle and goals matter, too
The amount of protein you need is dependent upon your weight, lifestyle, and fitness goals. One of the factors that determines the amount of protein you need on a daily basis is your activity level. If you lead a more sedentary lifestyle, you don’t need to consume as much protein as an individual who is more active — someone who has a regular exercise regimen or a job that is physically demanding.
The amount of protein you need also changes as you age with babies needing only about 10 gms/day as opposed to teenagers who need, on the average, 50 gms/day. Gender is also a factor, with males, on average, needing more protein vs. women.
If maintaining your weight is one of your fitness goals, including protein with every meal will not only help you to feel fuller for a longer period of time, but is good for maintaining lean muscle mass and preventing the development of osteoporosis as you age. Eating protein before and/or after working out can help to increase muscle size and strength.
Need more protein?
One way to control your protein intake is to add a high quality whey protein isolate supplement such as FlexFit Pro to your daily routine. Whey isolate protein contributes to increased muscle mass and fat reduction which can help you to accomplish your goals of losing weight while helping to repair and build muscle tissue. Whey protein isolate has been found to have other health advantages including improved immune function and blood sugar levels as well as helping to prevent the bone and muscle loss that is a part of the aging process.
If you’re concerned about how much protein you need daily, consider that one serving of FlexFit Pro contains 27 grams of protein, but just 123 calories. Click the Benefits tab to learn more about the advantages of FlexFit Pro.