What are high-protein and low-carb diets?

You see them gripping on their respective exercise machines...all gritty with determination to lose those extra pounds and build muscles. Instead of taking weight-loss pills they have decided to improve their physique by getting that expensive gym membership where they can workout their way to optimum health. Aside from lifting weights, these “gym rats” also religiously follow a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet prepared by their personal trainers and sports nutritionists. Each fitness gym promotes various fitness fads and routines from yoga, palates, core fitness ball method, tae-bo, pole and belly dancing, and a host of other exercises. Still, the gym members are carefully taught that these exercises can only fully benefit them if they also follow a well-prepared diet. Workouts, they are told, will not work if the “weight watcher” refuses to limit food intake.

According to physiologists and diet specialists, muscles literally break down when one works out or exerts physical action. Protein, as a muscle-building substance, is needed to build and re-build the muscles that are in constant daily use. People, especially athletes, who regularly expend large amounts of energy and utilize different muscle groups need regular supply of protein to build or retain muscle mass. Without enough protein in the body, the goal to increase muscle mass cannot be achieved. Additional protein is also needed to develop hard and ripped muscles. Weightlifters, all of whom aim to gain muscle mass, are the foremost followers of these high-protein diets. They are often found gulping protein shakes and consuming lean meat and tuna.

High protein diets are popular because they initially cause one's weight to drop. Protein promotes the metabolism of body fat without reducing one's calorie intake. But doctors also warn that this drop is a reflection of fluid loss and not fat. Recent researches indicate these restrictions on carbohydrate intake coupled with fluid loss may cause an unusual metabolic state called ketosis. In ketosis, the body burns fat for fuel. During ketosis, a person may even feel less hungry and eat less. Still, ketosis has been associated with health problems such as kidney failure, colon and prostate cancer, and osteoporosis. Ketosis may also cause less serious health problems such as weakness of breath, headaches. diarrhea, sleep difficulties, bone loss, and fatigue. Additionally, some studies claim that high-protein diets may lead to increased lactic acid in the body. Muscle pains according to studies may be experienced due to the increased lactic acid levels in the body.

Get Lean With Whey Protein

Everyone wants to look their best, regardless of who they are. People want to be slimmer, healthier, and stronger than they have ever been in their lives. In order to look your best you need to do more than just diet, exercise is essential in order to build lean muscle and lose weight. Adding vitamins and supplements will also help in this process, and to taking back your health overall.

One supplement which is arguably the most useful to help build lean muscle mass is whey protein. Whey protein is a milk by-product, and is separated from the milk during the process of making cheese. Whey protein has the highest value for providing branched chain amino acids, which help you to build and retain muscle tissue.

From a dieting aspect, whey protein balances blood sugar levels, which will rid you of symptoms like excessive over eating. You will have more energy and your body will be able to shed more unnecessary fat tissue. Whey protein often comes in a powdered form, and can be mixed into your drink or turned into a shake for consumption. Whey proteins do best when mixed with milk to slow down digestion and give them plenty of time to absorb into your body for maximum effect.

In addition to increasing your intake of vitamins, minerals and supplements (like whey protein), your regular diet could use some modification. Eating more small meals throughout the day keeps your blood sugar steady, keeps your digestive tract from overloading (which can lead to less absorption of nutrients as your body rushes to keep up), and less chance of over-eating due to hunger pangs or lack of food. Some experts recommend as many as five to seven very small meals throughout the day. Three or more of these meals can be supplemented with a whey protein drink or shake, and the whey will help curb your hunger even more, and increase your energy as the proteins go to work on your body.

Whey proteins, coupled with a good diet and exercise, will allow your body to show the results that you want even faster. Whey protein is good for you in general as well, even if you are happy with your weight and shape. You may find yourself becoming even more toned than before, and having a lot more energy to get done what needs to be done. A busy mom on the go can always use an energy boost, and the healthy benefits of whey protein offer just that to anyone.

Taking whey proteins does to not have to be the equivalent to taking your medicine as a child, either. Bodybuilders all over the world use whey protein to help them gain lean muscle mass, and the high demand for great tasting and easy to take supplements have caused nutrition companies to come up with wonderful flavors and powders that blend better than ever with your water, juice, or milk. Drinking your protein shake everyday can be a joy and a pleasure if you find the brand and the flavor that is best for you.

There is plenty of information online from nutrition companies wishing to sell their products. The best way to find information on the whey protein that is best for you is to ask other people at the gym or someone at a nutrition store which brands of whey protein taste great and work the best for them. Getting lean has never been easier than eating well, eating right, and supplementing your diet with exercise and nutrition.