Protein Power - The significance of the protein

The importance of protein is a topic of debate that has raged around for over a century in weight training and fitness training not just for men but for women also. Also do we need extra protein requirements if we are strength or resistance training? Many experts are adamant that extra protein requirements are not essential to the body to build muscle. However at the same time experts with equal respect and fame are adamant that extra protein is required for extra muscle growth if one is strength or resistance training. Today in science and in practice there is too much empirical evidence to suggest that individuals engaged with resistance training require higher levels of protein than the average and general RDA.
So why does one require extra protein if a person is undertaking resistance training? Protein makes up the structure well part of the structure of every cell and tissue in your body ranging from muscle tendons, internal organs, skin, hair and nails. The physiological expert will tell you that 20% of your total body weight comes from protein. The absolute critical factor with protein is that Protein is required for the growth and development of new tissue. In particularly for tissue repair and for regulating certain metabolic functions such as the nitrogen balance, which was covered in another of my articles. Also in certain conditions where glycogen and carbohydrates are absent for example in an Atkins Diet, your body will start to utilize Protein as energy this is a scientific process called glucocegenesis the conversion of amino acids into energy. Protein is also used to make almost all the bodies enzymes and various hormones and neurotransmitters. The role of protein within the body goes on and on.
Protein is made up of amino acids. There are 20 amino acids, 12 of which are non-essential meaning they can be made up in the body and the other 8 amino acids are essential amino acids this means that the must be consumed through your diet. Protein can come in many different forms and the most commonly used ones are
1. Whey Protein, 2. Casein Protein 3. Soy Protein 4. Egg protein 5. Hemp Protein
All of these protein react differently in the body, some stay in the digestive system and blood stream longer and some have higher BV (biological Value) than the others which means the amount of the protein that is actually absorbed.
So Is it important for a strength and resistance trainer to consume protein and if so how much should they consume.
People who are strength training or resistance training definitely have a requirement for extra protein, protein will enhance the body's system so it is primed for muscle growth. To build more muscle the body must be in a positive nitrogen balance. This means the body will retain a greater level of dietary protein than is used by the body. If you do have a higher level of protein intake your body will utilize the protein by oxidizing surplus amino acids into energy. Remember a higher protein diet alone will not result in increased muscle mass. It will however increase metabolism because your body still has to digest protein and it is very thermogenic. However the bottom line is your body will only build lean muscle mass with a combination of protein intake and resistance training.
As for the amount of protein you should be taking in. Many of the greatest and most well known coaches and strength trainers around the world recommend to aim for between 1-2 grams of protein per pound (LB) of body weight. If you feel your training is geared towards very high intensity weights sessions and you really want to be packing on muscle aim for 2grams of protein per pound (LB) of body weight. For the rest of the training populous shoot for 1 gram per pound of body weight.