It seems everywhere we look someone is promoting a new diet plan that praises the power of high protein low carb diets. But whether you want to lose or gain weight, or maintain your current weight, the importance of protein goes far beyond physical appearance and muscle building.

THE BODY REQUIRES PROTEIN SECOND ONLY TO WATER
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.

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Protein also makes 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 percent to 35 percent of our total caloric intake, with men needing 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.

THE IMPORTANNCE OF PROTEIN IN WEIGHT MANAGEMENT
The widespread popularity of diet protein drinks 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.

FIND A HEALTHY SOURCE OF PROTEIN
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 fibre 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 shakes, 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 protein shakes and snacks, Herbalife’s weight management programme 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.

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As we grow older and exercise less, the task of staying fit and trim becomes even more difficult. And while a sensible diet combined with exercise is still the best answer, new research suggests that protein can play a major role in helping you achieve your weight loss goals faster.

A significant number of research studies support claims that protein can help you lose weight.

For several million years, humans existed on a diet of animals and vegetation. It was only with the advent of agriculture a mere 10,000 years ago – a fraction of a second in evolutionary time – that humans began ingesting large amounts of sugar and starch in the form of grains (and potatoes) into their diets. Indeed, 99.99% of our genes were formed before the advent of agriculture; in biological terms, our bodies are still those of hunter-gatherers.

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Women need, on average, 100 grams of protein daily to build and maintain an optimal amount of lean-body mass. Men need more–averaging 150 grams of protein daily. The Ideal Meal allows you to meet these protein goals at a very low-calorie cost. These protein guidelines are designed to keep you from feeling hungry, and the calorie-controlled shakes allow you to incorporate plenty of healthy fresh fruits and vegetables into a balanced meal plan. Everyone has different protein needs based upon their size, build and age, so personalize your protein intake according to your needs.

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