The paramount importance of protein in our lives is described by the phrase of F. Engels: "Life is a way of existence of protein bodies." Protein is a building material for the whole body. It consists of muscles, bone tissue, hormones, enzymes.
If we compare the human body with the construction site, on which the creation of new floors, the elimination of garbage, and the movement of components are constantly taking place, then proteins can be represented in the form of bricks. It is easy to imagine what will happen if the building material is not brought in at the right time or in insufficient quantities. The workflow will begin to slow down or stop altogether, over time, already built walls will begin to collapse.
So for the normal functioning of the body, a daily intake of protein is simply necessary. The norm of its consumption is 2 g per 1 kg of body weight per day. You can get protein from plant and animal foods. And you can use an industrially produced protein. There are many men (this product is harmful or not, we will consider in the article) who supplement their diet with protein powder . You can buy it at a pharmacy or sports nutrition stores.
What is protein made of?
Milk is the most common starting material for the manufacture of protein dietary supplements. Casein protein is made from milk curdled with special enzymes.
Whey protein is a concentrated protein that is isolated from whey. In order to get the finished powdery product, milk is cured, pasteurized, filtered. Then the resulting protein is concentrated and dried.
In addition to these species, soy and egg protein is also isolated. They are used less often, because they cost more. Is soy protein suitable for men? Is this product harmful or not? Scientists have not been able to fully understand this issue, because this type of protein is not completely absorbed by the body.
Egg white is useful because it contains sulfur, which positively affects the functioning of the whole organism. Mixed protein products have also been developed. They combine the best qualities of each type of protein.
Protein Benefits
To obtain the required dose of protein, the athlete must drink 6 liters of milk per day, or eat 15 chicken eggs, or get the same substance from a considerable amount of meat. Such food is expensive, not everyone has the strength and desire to cook dishes. It is sometimes difficult to get the optimal combination of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. That is why often athletes give preference to protein "from the can."
What does protein mean for men's health, harmful or not? Athletes check this on their own experience. After all, the use of pharmacy proteins is cheaper, and even such a product is very convenient to store and transport. A significant advantage is the balanced composition of amino acids in the composition of the supplement. Manufacturers, in addition to pure natural protein, often add a variety of vitamins to the powder that cannot be obtained from ordinary food. This saves the athlete time and money.
Indications for the use of protein
Protein is essential for people who are active in sports. Its use stops catabolic processes in the muscles, helps the body recover faster after training. The balanced composition of amino acids increases the protective functions of the body, improves the functioning of the endocrine system. An ideal nutritional supplement would be protein for men. The reviews confirm the fact that with protein means muscle mass grows much faster, and the level of fatigue decreases. Enzymes that are part of the product have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
Contraindications
Before starting a diet and taking any drug, it is better to consult a doctor. It is the nutritionist who will help find answers to questions about whether the protein is harmful to men's health, whether it is worth using it in a particular case. Manufacturers do not recommend the use of such tools:
- persons under the age of 18;
- pregnant and lactating women;
- people with individual intolerance to product components;
- patients with renal failure and liver problems;
- people with very high amounts of subcutaneous fat. The composition of products most often includes fast protein. If you pay insufficient attention to physical activity, then you can easily gain even more extra pounds.
When taking a protein dietary supplement, you need to carefully monitor the dosage. A large amount of protein can cause constipation, bloating, and colic. Excess protein has an extra load on the kidneys and liver. Protein breakdown products remaining in the intestines can be an excellent medium for the propagation of pathogenic microorganisms. Is protein for men's health beneficial or harmful? The answer is simple: it all depends on the dosage and compliance with the training regimen.
Protein and Potency
The people have a myth about the harmful effects of protein on men's health. “Is protein harmful to men's health?” - The most frequently asked question in sports forums. People far from sports and healthy eating often confuse protein dietary supplements and steroids.
Anabolic steroids are indeed dangerous for men's health. They affect the hormonal background of the athlete and can cause irreparable harm to health. Long-term use of such drugs inhibits the body's production of the male hormone testosterone. Over time, after refusing to take steroids, a man may have problems with potency, sometimes even the restructuring of the body by a female type begins.
Proteins, by contrast, have a positive effect on potency. Many athletes after taking protein supplements noted increased sexual desire, an increase in the duration of sexual intercourse. This is not surprising, because the interchangeable and irreplaceable amino acids that make up the product establish the work of all organs and systems. The question of whether the protein is harmful to men's health does not go away on its own.
The effect of protein on the functioning of internal organs
Canadian scientists tested the effect of protein on human health. They examined the kidneys, liver, genitals, digestive system of people taking protein. According to their findings, protein in a normal dosage is absolutely not harmful to internal organs. They also concluded that excessive intake of animal protein increases the risk of developing cancer of the stomach and esophagus. But this risk is much less than in the case of eating fast food or carbonated drinks.
Is it mandatory to play sports while taking protein?
Protein, especially whey, is absorbed very quickly. Therefore, if you do not expose your body to regular physical exertion, the fatty layer will begin to grow. Casein protein is ideal for a person who wants to lose extra pounds. Using it in the evening, the athlete will protect himself from nightly overeating. In combination with physical activity, the use of protein will positively affect the figure.
Customer reviews and expert advice
Is protein harmful to men's health? Reviews of experts suggest that proteins have a positive effect on the body. Moreover, scientists have proven that protein is 100% harmless.
But it is worth remembering that there are unscrupulous manufacturers. They can add modified components to the product to increase the shelf life of the product. Sometimes in the composition of the powder you can find salts of heavy metals. There are cases when prohormones, drugs similar to steroids, were found in sports nutrition.
Is the protein harmful to men's health in this case? This is worth considering. In order to reduce the cost of the product, low-quality flavors and coloring agents are used. The only way to protect yourself is to buy proven products of famous brands. The supplier must also be reliable. It will not be superfluous to also read product reviews. If all products were of high quality and certified, then the question of whether the protein is harmful to men's health would not have arisen at all.
If we are talking about high-quality protein powder, then the reviews of men are positive. This dietary supplement really helps increase muscle mass. The instructions for use are simple, and the course of protein intake is rarely associated with any side effects.