The main function of proteins is bodybuilding and acts as a repair agent. However, in particular, proteins are an important component in every cell in the body. Your hair and nails are majorly made of proteins. It is also used in making enzymes and hormones among other body chemicals. Lastly, proteins are considered an important building block for muscles, cartilage, bones, skin, and blood.
As noted, proteins do play a vital role as a macronutrient. Just like fat and carbohydrates, proteins are needed in large quantities. However, unlike fats and carbohydrates, proteins do not have a body reservoir where they can be stored. Therefore, it is vital that you get a daily supply of the nutrient. You can also not eat it in excess because too many proteins are harmful to your health.
Daily Acceptable Protein Intake
You may have heard of the myth that more proteins result in more body muscle. This is not the case. In fact, exercise is the activity responsible for building mass in your body. So, do not take excess proteins in the belief that your muscle mass will increase.
Consequently, the United States Department of Health and Human Services stipulates that the following are acceptable levels of proteins one could eat in a day:
- Active boys and teenage boys should get their total protein from three daily servings. The total should be seven ounces.
- Women and children aged 2-6 years old should have all their protein from two servings. The total amount should be five ounces a day.
- Two servings and a total of six ounces is the recommended amount of proteins that older children, active women, and most men should have.
Therefore, anyone who eats steak above 8 ounces in the restaurant is getting excess proteins. Lucky for vegans, they do not run the risk of consuming excess proteins in their diet. Critically, they do not get the required amount of proteins thus the use of protein supplements.
The Benefits
Muscular Development
When you engage your muscles in high-intensity activities like High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), your muscles tear as well as develop a better network of vessels to take nutrients and blood into the muscles. The tear injuries use the repairing mechanism of proteins to heal and build up mass in the muscle.
Stronger Tendons and Fast Recover
This is evident in bodybuilders as their objective is to injure their muscles by carrying heavy weights and let them heal fast leading to them gaining mass. The injuries are on the muscle fibers and are normal. What is not normal is injuries to the tendons. Proteins help tendons become stronger thus avoiding tendon injuries.
Reduce Calorie Intake
Protein foods are more filling and satisfying, therefore, the more you consume proteins the more you consume fewer calories. This is vital to weight management strategies.
Vegans do not get proteins from natural food sources because they don’t consume animal products. Animal meat is the main source for proteins therefore, they have to use vegan supplements to get their daily dose of proteins.
As a vegan, make sure to consult with your doctor before engaging in a high protein diet. Doctors are in a better position to advise you on what vitamin supplements you require apart from the protein one.