What is protein and why it is required is known by almost everyone who starts their diet. So, if you’re following a diet or creating your diet chart then you must have a clear knowledge of the three macronutrients: protein, carbohydrates, and fat. However, while the basics of all three are known, there are certain protein facts that must be known at all costs.

Too Much Protein Is Not Good

Our bodies can detect when we are giving it too much protein. Therefore, we should make sure that the amount of protein being given to our bodies is within capacity. What happens when you take too much protein? The extra protein that we consume gets converted to glucose via a process called gluconeogenesis. Glucose is an important component of carbohydrates and in layman’s terms, it is sugar. Extra protein becomes extra sugar which is stored by the body like carbohydrates. Too many carbohydrates aren’t good for the body either. So it is important to keep in mind that protein must be consumed within the requirement of our body goals.

How Much Protein To Consume?

The amount of protein to consume depends on how much your current body weight is. However, it will depend on your body goals as well. Ideally, the recommended amount of protein to consume is between 0.8g to 1.1g of lean body weight. So, if you have a body fat percentage which is over 20%, you should consume around 0.8grams of protein per lean body weight. On the other hand, if you have less than 15% body fat then your goal should be more towards 1g of protein per lean body weight. This scale keeps varying from person to person however on average the leaner you get the more protein you consume to maintain muscle mass.

Protein, The Essential Macronutrient

This protein fact might not be known by all but this is important to know. Our bodies need a certain number of essential amino acids that can be found in various animal-based protein. Vegetarians fall at risk in this case since plant-based proteins do not have all essential amino acids. Now, our bodies are able to synthesize enough carbohydrates that are good enough to attend to basic needs. Next, coming to fats it really does take an extended period of deficiency from fats to actually cause an adverse effect in our bodies. On the other hand, when we talk about protein, it is the one macronutrient that is absolutely essential to be included in any given diet.

What Happens When Protein Is Inadequate?

Consumption of protein is extremely important and this cannot be emphasized enough. However, there are times when carbs take over the diet and you’re left with low protein. When there is not enough protein provided by us to the body there’s a greater chance of muscle and strength loss. Therefore, you need to make sure that under all circumstances you provide your body with adequate protein. This can be in the form of protein powder or natural sources of protein.

Which Form Of Protein Is Better?

This has been an ongoing debate and there are supporters for both. Now the protein facts to consider in this situation is how much protein you need for your daily diet. If the amount of protein required is high then relying only on natural sources will become an issue. You will have to add protein powder to your diet. On the other hand, if you have a low protein requirement then keeping only natural sources in your diet will do the trick. Ultimately, it’s every individual’s choice. There’s no better or worse but all about which is better for you.

These are the above five protein facts that you must remember when creating your diet chart. Seek help from a professional at the beginning to make sure you have a well-rounded chart that fits your body goals.