Why is Protein Important for Muscle Building?
Why is Protein Important for Muscle Building?
When it comes to fitness and exercise there is no doubt that protein is the fundamental building block for muscle gain. When thinking about our overall health and wellness, it’s important to recognize the crucial relationship between our nutritional intake and our activity levels. Having said that, in order to achieve long-term transformational results it is key to implement healthy habits and ensure that you consume enough protein on a day to day basis. In this short article we will be going over the basics of muscle building as well as explaining proteins’ role in assisting you with your muscle building results. With that said, let’s get started!
How Does Muscle Growth Work?
When it comes to muscle growth, the process of hypertrophy occurs when your muscle fibres sustain micro-tears from progressive overload and training. When you workout with a high enough intensity, you create micro-tears in your muscles. After an intense training session when you actively consume calories and essential macronutrients while getting adequate rest, your body repairs muscle fibres which fuse becoming larger in mass and overall size, allowing you to progressively get stronger.
Proteins Importance in Muscle Growth
By understanding the general process of muscle building we can determine protein’s importance in the whole process. When thinking metaphorically, think of your muscles as a house, the protein in this case would be representative of the bricks and building blocks of your body. More specifically, the amino acids within protein is what helps your muscles repair and build new muscle tissue. In terms of how much protein you should intake on a daily basis most research studies have shown that 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight is ideal for muscle growth. Having said that, going slightly higher with protein intake may not be a bad idea especially when trying to gain size.
What are Some Good Sources of Protein?
When looking at food sources there are lots of foods that are highly recommended that are rich in protein. Among some of the most notable and nutritious foods include:
- Lean Chicken
- Lean Pork
- Beef
- Fish (Especially Salmon)
- Tofu
- Beans/Lentils
- Milk
- Cheese
- Nuts
- Eggs
All in all when composing a meal, always ensure that there is a good source of protein among your carbs and fats to ensure total meal balance. If you are struggling to hit your protein intake goals I would also recommend supplementing your nutrition with a good weight protein or to consider a meal prep service that will help you plan out your meals based on your weight and fitness goals.
Conclusion - Why is Protein Important for Muscle Building?
All in all, consuming enough protein is key in order to maximize your muscle building results and efforts at the gym. As a result make sure to be consistent with all aspects of your protein consumption by consistently tracking your intake on a daily basis. Additionally, make sure that you are consistent with your training to ensure that you are progressively giving your muscles a stimulus and reason for it to grow and build muscle. If you need help staying accountable, you can always contact me and I would love to help you on your transformation journey. If you are interested in a personal trainer for muscle building click here and I would be happy to help you out!
