Dieting " Right"

It seems everywhere we look, someone is promoting a new diet that

praises the power of protein. But whether you want to lose, gain, or

maintain your current weight, the importance of protein goes far

beyond physical appearance and muscle building.

A necessity for every body

Protein is an important component of every cell in the body. It is an organic

compound, composed of 22 amino acids, otherwise known as the building blocks of

life. Protein is stored in muscles and organs and the body utilizes it to build and

repair tissues, as well as for the production of enzymes and hormones. Proteins also

make it possible for blood to carry oxygen throughout the body. Along with fat and

carbohydrates, protein is a "macronutrient," meaning the body needs relatively

large amounts of it. The Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences

has concluded that our daily protein requirements should be 10% to 35% of our

total caloric intake, with men needing slightly more than women. A lack of protein

can cause loss of muscle mass, decreased immunity, as well as weakening of the

heart and respiratory system.

How protein affects your weight

The widespread popularity of high-protein diets is due in large part to their ability to

help manage hunger. When protein is absorbed, it sends a signal to the brain to

decrease your hunger. Another benefit of protein is that it raises your resting

metabolism by maintaining muscle mass. As we age, muscle mass decreases

without exercise, so staying fit is a key to burning fat by keeping your metabolism

high. Protein also leads to a much less rapid rise and fall of blood sugar and insulin,

so you avoid the "sugar highs and lows" after eating sweets without adequate

protein. Certain foods, however, provide a healthier resource for protein than

others.

Consider the source

You can obtain healthy sources of protein without high levels of saturated fat. For

example, soybeans, nuts and whole grains provide protein without much saturated

fat and offer plenty of healthful fiber and micronutrients as well. If you're looking

for yet another great way to obtain healthy protein, vegetable sources of protein

found in Herbalife's Formula 1, are high-quality and have lower calorie levels with

virtually no added fat. Herbalife® products personalize your daily protein intake to

match your body's needs. With a variety of shakes and snacks, the ShapeWorks®

program helps you build or maintain lean muscle while providing healthy weight

management support.

Now that you've increased your knowledge of protein, you can effectively enhance

your diet and allow good health to take shape.