Did you know that protein is the most important nutrient for those seeking to lose weight? Almost all of our overweight patients do not consume enough protein each day. This can make weight loss a real struggle. Eating sufficient protein at each meal every day is the fastest way to control excess hunger and cravings. It’s also an important way to support muscle growth. You want strong muscles because they will give you a faster metabolic rate.

Our female patients in particular usually don’t consume enough protein. They load up their plate with vegetables and carbohydrate and protein becomes an afterthought. This makes them far more likely to spend most of the day snacking because their meals are not satiating.

How protein helps you lose weight

It keeps you full for longer

People tend to eat less when they have protein with every meal as protein has a two to three times greater satiety value than carbohydrate or fat. Compared to fat and carbohydrates, protein generates the greatest release of the gut hormone called PYY. This hormone lowers hunger and also improves your body’s reaction to the hormone leptin, which lessons appetite and controls your body fat stores. It’s especially important to have protein with your first meal as it reduces cravings for sugar and high carbohydrate foods later in the afternoon and in the evening. Aim for around 30 grams of protein at each meal if you eat 3 meals a day.

You use up calories while digesting protein

The thermic effect of food refers to the energy required to digest, absorb, assimilate, and store nutrients. In other words, protein requires more energy than fat or carbohydrate to be digested. Research indicates that after a meal, energy expenditure by your body increases zero to three percent for the metabolism of fat, five to ten percent for carbohydrate and an astounding 20 to 30 per cent for protein! In comparison to the other macronutrients, protein burns by far the most energy. This makes protein an essential component to a healthy diet.

Protein balances blood sugar and reduces cravings

By increasing protein intake, you can stabilize blood sugar levels and lower insulin levels. Insulin is a hormone that is released when we eat carbohydrates, and its role is to get glucose inside cells to burn it for energy. Insulin resistance occurs in individuals who consume too much carbohydrate for their body, which causes too much insulin to be produced until eventually the cells of your body start to ignore it and glucose is converted into fat. Having good quality protein with each meal can balance blood sugar and reduce the chances of developing hypoglycaemia or cravings for sugar/carbohydrates. Synd-X Slimming Protein powder contains first class protein. This means all essential amino acids are present. Glicemic Balance capsules contain herbs and nutrients to prevent crashes in blood sugar, helping keep cravings away.

Protein helps build muscles

Protein is the building block of our muscles as well as supporting your body to build healthy tissues and cells. Protein is especially important after exercise as muscle tissue is purposefully damaged from weight training in order for muscles to repair and grow back stronger. Studies have shown that consuming a diet high in protein can preserve lean body mass in both obese individuals and athletes, and also improve overall body composition. Individuals with more muscle have a faster metabolism, therefore if you are wanting to lose weight it is essential to get enough protein. Glutamine is the specific amino acid that is most abundant in muscles. Glutamine powder can be taken after a workout to help promote muscle growth.

The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.