Welcome to Corrado Firera’s Magazine, today we are dealing with a topic that is very dear to athletes and to those who approach the world of fitness for the first time, in fact we will finally find out if proteins are bad for health as we often hear or simply give a contribution to our muscle needs!
Before going into the most interesting part of this topic, let’s first try to understand what proteins are without going into the technicalities that of course you could not understand.
In broad terms, proteins are macromolecules that perform different functions within living organisms but what interests us athletes is that they mainly contribute to the reconstruction of muscle fibers and their growth.
If you want to find out what exactly proteins are from a biological and chemical point of view, click here.
What are protein powders?
Very often when we exercise and express the desire to have a beautiful body, friends and family advise us to take protein powder to reach the finish line faster.
But what are protein powders? As the word itself says, they are proteins that we can buy in pharmacies or sports stores that we find inside a jar in which we find them in powder form.
These are real proteins of animal or vegetable origin that can be taken as food supplements, in order to increase muscle mass or help post workout recovery.
Are protein powders bad for you?
At this point the first question we ask ourselves before making a purchase is whether protein powders are bad for you.
Now let’s try to answer this question, protein powders don’t hurt when you don’t overdo the daily dose that we will see shortly.
On the other hand, they can lead to severe liver or kidney problems if there is an excess on your part. In principle, proteins that are not used by our body are converted into fat, so that’s not exactly our goal.
Secondly, an excess of protein powder still causes excessive strain on the part of the liver and kidneys which can lead to significant consequences, which is why if you are a carrier of liver or kidney disease, the use of proteins is totally not recommended.
Equally not recommended is its use in case of hypertension and chronic acidity as there is a clear negative correlation between protein intake and the aforementioned clinical situations.
With the exception of the cases mentioned, therefore, protein powders are not bad in themselves, they are simply protein-based food supplements that complement a healthy and healthy diet rich in proteins, also because protein powders alone do not work miracles if they are not combined with proper nutrition and of course regular physical activity!
How many protein powders to take per day?
Protein powder should be taken every day and to the extent of 1 gram per body kilogram, however, I do not recommend not to exceed 30 grams if you are not an athlete and have special needs.
It is clear that the more you train the more your muscle protein requirement increases, but always remember that we are not machines, and in any case, even by taking supplements that significantly improve muscle recovery, rest is always the basis of proper physical activity.
Inside the protein jar you will almost always find the measuring cup in grams through which you can manage your daily ration, beware that sometimes the measuring cup can be found underneath and therefore immersed in protein powder, so shake the jar a little and take it out.
Protein powder should be taken immediately after training on workout days and as a snack on rest days, we recommend that you do not exceed the dose.
How is protein powder taken?
The powdered proteins should be poured into a glass and then water or milk should be added to avoid lumps, then stir with a spoon until they are completely dissolved and then drink.
Protein powders are generally sold in different flavors, the best being chocolate at least subjectively, and taken with milk they fill you up like a real snack!
How long can you take protein powders?
Generally protein powders should never be taken for long periods, however it is best to consult your doctor if you take them for more than three weeks, there should be no risk if you stick to the daily doses and really train!
Don’t eat protein if you don’t train regularly because you only risk doing damage to your health!