iTeam World : Are you eating enough good, quality protein?

If something as simple as walking leaves you feeling exhausted, you could be protein deficient.

According to the USDA, the recommended daily minimum intake of protein for adults who are of an average weight and activity level is: 56g per day for men, and 46g per day for women.

But today’s society may not be eating enough quality protein due to a diet that is high in carbohydrates such as rice, noodles, pasta, and bread. Even health-conscious people are at risk of protein deficiency if they consume lots of vegetables and not enough protein.

Are you protein deficient?

If you answer YES to one or more of the following questions, your diet could be lacking in good, quality protein.

Is your hair brittle or falling out?
Do you have muscle, bone, or joint pain?
Does your skin feel dry and flaky?
Is it difficult for you to build and maintain muscle mass?
Are you always tired?
Do you have trouble sleeping?
Is it difficult for you to lose weight?

Why we need protein in our diet？

Proteins are the building blocks of life. Every cell in the body contains protein. Protein is made up of amino acids that are important to help the body build, maintain, and repair the cells in the body, and build tissues such as muscle and skin. Protein is also important for growth and development in babies, young children, teenagers, active adults, and pregnant women.

Protein is Important for:

Bones – Bones are largely made up of a protein – collagen – which is bound together by calcium and other trace minerals.

Muscles – Protein is made up of amino acids which are the building blocks of muscles. Protein is essential for optimum muscle growth, muscle repair, and recovery from injuries.

Brain – The brain cells are made from amino acids found in protein.

Skin – Collagen available in protein is what keeps your skin strong, supple, and youthful-looking.

Hair & fingernails – Our hair and fingernails are made up of a protein called keratin. Split and brittle nails could be signs of protein deficiency.

Sleep – Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone that helps us to sleep. It is made in the brain by converting tryptophan found in protein to serotonin and then to melatonin.

Wounds – During the healing process, the body needs increased amounts of protein to facilitate recovery.

Disadvantages of meat protein

– High in saturated fat, hormones, and cholesterol which may increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and atherosclerosis.

– High in sodium which leads to high blood pressure and may increase the risk of stroke and heart failure.

Advantages of plant protein

– Low in saturated fat which helps to reduce bad cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglycerides.

– Low in calories which helps to control body weight and reduce high blood sugar in diabetics.

The Goodness of Soy

According to SELF Nutrition Data, soy protein has around 2X the protein in meat, 2X the protein in eggs, and 12X the protein in milk.

An exceptional source of high quality protein, soybean is one of only two plant-derived foods that contain all the 9 essential amino acids found in meat.

Unlike meat, soy is cholesterol-free! The plant protein found in soy provides the body with essential nutrients, but with less fat and less calories.

Soy is also rich in vitamins, minerals, and insoluble fiber. The high fiber content in soy makes it ideal for those suffering from constipation, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes.

Soy contains protein isolates that lower cholesterol levels and phytosterols that inhibit the absorption of cholesterol.

Soy also contains phytoestrogens that can lower the risk of breast cancer and reduce menopausal symptoms in women.

PhytoFit – get fitter than you've ever been before!

PhytoFit is a tasty and nutrient-rich powdered beverage made from soy that comes in two flavors – original and berry. It is loaded with nutrients such as phytochemicals, polysaccharides, and antioxidants that are essential to good health. PhytoFit is high in protein, minerals, and fiber; and low in calories and saturated fat, and is cholesterol-free!

Consuming PhytoFit daily provides your body with the adequate amount of protein to boost your health while helping you to manage your weight.

As PhytoFit is high in protein and low in calories, it is the ideal product to increase muscle mass which helps to burn more fat, and reduce muscle loss while on a low-calorie diet.