Safe weight loss and protein go hand in hand. Proteins
are essential to safe weight loss and good health. Proteins
provide all of the critical fat-burning components needed
in order for safe weight loss to occur. Lacking protein,
the body becomes fatigued prematurely. As a result, the most
common tendency for people today is to grab for high sugar
alternatives to boost energy levels and consequent weight
gain occurs, not weight loss. Protein ranks second behind
water as the largest contributor of body weight including
muscles, ligaments, tendons, organs, glands, nails and hair.
Protein provides energy and allows the body to manufacture
hormones, antibodies, enzymes and tissue. Proteins are broken
down by the body into amino acids then carried via the portal
vein to the liver which, in turn, passes the amino acids
to the bloodstream which carries them to tissue.
Protein assists in safe weight loss by stimulating the pancreas
to produce glucagons, a hormone that releases stored fat
from cells for energy. The glucagon benefit can be negated
though if excess insulin levels abound. Protein also strengthens
the immune system. A meal high in protein can raise a metabolic
rate by 30% compared to a 4% rise with a carbohydrate diet.
Proteins can be complete and incomplete. A complete protein
contains all of your essential amino acids. An essential
amino acid cannot be manufactured by the body and must be
obtained through consumption. Amino acids include histidine,
isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine,
tryptophan an valine.
A complete protein is found in fish, meats, seafood, poultry,
eggs and cheese which also contain high levels of B vitamins.
Interestingly, soybean products are incomplete proteins because
they lack methionine. It’s fine to incorporate soy
in your safe weight loss diet plan but you should consider
supplementing it with another food that contains methionine.
Incomplete proteins contain some but not all of your essential
amino acids. An incomplete protein is grains, legumes, nuts,
seeds and some leafy vegetables. Unfortunately, peanut butter
and other nut butters like almond and cashew are incomplete
proteins and are just components to a safe weight loss regimen.
However, all is not lost. By properly combining your foods
over the course of 24 hours, the body can assimilate incomplete
proteins to complete proteins. For example, legumes such
as pinto beans, navy beans, black beans and lentils can be
combined with brown rice, corn, nuts, seeds or wheat. Or,
brown rice can be combined with legumes, nuts seeds, or wheat.
All is not lost. As you can see, protein not only helps you
to lose weight but to also nourish your body.
Proteins are not only good
diet drugs but also essential components to healthy
living. |
