All our body’s organs – the skin, muscles, bones, nails and hair – are composed largely of protein. Just as the skeleton provides a framework that gives the body form and shape, protein is the structural material that forms all body tissue. Protein is essential for rebuilding and repairing worn out cells. Not surprisingly, strength athletes and body builders need more protein in their diets to build and repair muscle tissue. Protein plays an important role in the formation of hormones and enzymes that control all major bodily functions. Our bodies use protein to manufacture hormones, immunoglobulins (that build the body’s immunity), enzymes used in digestion of food and many other functions.
How to Slow Down Aging Process
As we age, several changes occur in the body. Since 70 percent of the protein in the body is in the skeletal muscle, the most remarkable change perhaps is the loss of the skeletal muscle (sarcopenia). The process happens progressively over a long period, starting as early as 30 years of age. With each decade, the body loses about 3-8 percent of muscle, and the process accelerates with age, reaching its peak above 80 years of age. Research indicates that several factors contribute to this. The byproducts of numerous chemical processes that happen at the cellular level are damaged proteins and cells. These cells are continually being repaired and renewed. However, the process of repair progressively fails with age and the damage begins to take its toll on body tissue. Meanwhile as the protein is damaged, the process of gaining body fat accelerates, physical activity and hormone production goes down. Hormones like estrogen and testosterone are important in maintaining lean muscle mass. Eventually, some of the outward signs of age begin to show. The most common appear in the form of lines and wrinkles on the skin as it loses its firmness and elasticity. This is a consequence of loss of collagen and elastin, important fibrous proteins that give the skin firmness and elasticity. Elastin forms about 30 percent of all the protein in the body. It makes the skin, artery walls, lungs, intestines and other organs flexible and resilient to physical damage.
The result of all this is that the body’s requirement for dietary protein goes up. Your body does not store protein as it does with carbohydrates. Even though several factors regulate the synthesis of muscle tissue in the body, the primary requirement for this process is amino acids derived from food. Therefore, you can slow down the process of aging by eating the right amount of healthy protein alongside other nutrients that nourish the body. Studies show that consuming about 25-30 grams of protein at every meal stimulates the formation of muscle tissue in both young and older people. However, since the older group is already vulnerable to loss of muscle, their requirements are higher. Evidence shows that combining diet and progressive strength training or resistance exercise enhances the formation of muscle. The muscles also develop strength from generating force against resistance.
Anti aging benefits of protein
To understand the other anti-aging effect of protein, take note of your body’s hormone response after consumption of protein. When you eat high quality protein, your body produces the glucagon hormone that in turn stimulates the production of glucose. This stabilizes the blood sugar levels, maintains high energy levels and a feeling of fullness. This means the insulin levels in blood are controlled. Consistently high levels of insulin in the blood have been shown to hasten the aging process. Recent study findings by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers show that a protein called sirtuin can prolong the lifespan of yeast and male mice by about 16 percent. Sirtuin has always been suspected to have anti-aging qualities. It extended the lifespan of the mice by controlling insulin.
Amino acids are the basic components of proteins in the body. The body requires 20 amino acids for optimum function. However, only 12 amino acids can be produced in the body. The rest (essential amino acids) must be obtained from the diet. Generally, proteins from animal sources have all the essential amino acids. You can get your daily requirement of protein from whey protein isolate, lean meat, chicken, eggs, and fish. Even though proteins from plant sources are incomplete, you can still get all the essential amino acid from combining different foods such as peas, tofu, walnuts, rice, quinoa, and soy.
Supplementing these anti aging foods with our range of high quality protein ProEnergy protein powder is one way you can rest assured that you are meeting all your body’s daily requirements of protein. We are your one stop shop for all the essential amino acids you need to build lean, strong muscles and to strengthen your body’s immune system. Our products are made from pure and 100 percent natural ingredients. They contain neither cholesterol nor fat, are sweetened with natural ingredients and taste fantastic. The range of protein nutrition bars, protein shakes and other products allow you to indulge your tastes with the bonus of numerous health benefits and an energized, lean and younger-feeling you.
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