Proteins are vital to proper body function. These important nutrients help your metabolism, your hormones, and your immune system function at optimum levels. Protein is also the key ingredient for building muscles. Next to water, protein is the most important part of a healthy diet.

How Much?

The amount of protein the human body needs varies from person to person. A body builder will require more protein than an average person. When protein is consumed in higher amounts than the body needs it will store this extra protein. For a body builder this is good news since that extra protein goes a long way toward building lean muscle mass.

Every time you work out you are breaking down muscle tissue. To rebuild this muscle tissue your body requires protein. Adding protein to your diet, in the form of protein supplements, will help you get stronger faster.

Fast Acting Proteins

Proteins can be fast or slow acting. As a body builder you will need both forms of proteins to build lean muscle mass. Slow proteins work over time in your body to help muscle mass stabilise and help increase muscle strength.

Fast acting proteins work to quickly help your body recover after workouts. This is extremely important so that your body will be prepared to go again when your next workout rolls around. Studies are currently being conducted on whether fast proteins also help with strength building. Early results from these studies are positive and add just one more reason for you to consider supplementing your diet with protein shakes and protein bars.

Whey can also be added to your diet to help with protein uptake. Whey powder contains whey protein in the form of a whey protein isolate. This iso whey can be found as an added ingredient in many protein shakes.

When Should Protein Supplements Be Used?

As an athlete you should eat a diet filled with high protein foods daily. This diet, combined with protein supplements, will help as you build up lean muscle mass and strength.

Protein shakes, protein bars, whey powders, and other protein supplements should be taken with a balanced diet. In order to determine the amount of protein supplements that should be added to your existing diet you must first find out how much protein you are already getting from the food you eat. Once this has been determined you can use supplements to get the extra protein you need.

There are different protein requirements for different body types and activity levels. As a body builder you will want to consume one gram of protein for pound of body weight. This one to one ratio makes determining the amount of protein your body needs simple. Whatever your diet lacks you can easily supplement with shakes and bars.

As a body builder you will want to keep protein in your body at all times. You can do this by eating throughout the day and drinking shakes that include protein powder and whey powder before during and after your workouts. Protein shakes, and protein bars, will help prepare you for your workout by giving you stamina and strength. During your workout protein will give you even more strength and the ability to complete your workout feeling great. Finishing your workout with a protein shake will help your body recover before your next workout.

Body builders, like you, need to monitor their protein intake through the day to achieve optimum results from protein supplements.