Contrary to popular belief most people fail to gain substantial amounts of muscle not because of their training methods but because of their diet. Personally, I like to look upon diet as a gas tank: the right fuel, but not enough of it, won’t get you to where you want to be, and more than enough of the wrong fuel won't get you to you want to be either. The perfect balance, then, is to have enough of the right fuel. Nothing else will do it. Part of the equation, of course, is protein. The ‘how much protein’ argument has been going on since time immemorial. Too much? Too little? What’s the truth?

Let's first take a look at the people who don’t see immense value in protein. Many of these people will loudly boast that they can build substantial muscle mass without taking in much protein, but, this leaves two questions: how do they know they wouldn’t build more muscle mass if they increased their protein intake, and what types of food do they regularly include in their diet and how much?

Protein is absolutely essential in maintaining and repairing muscle mass for the regular person taking in regular amounts of protein. It surely follows, then, that the person who is embarking on a heavy and physically wearing training regime where the muscles are pushed and worn more and more that greater amounts of protein are needed to adequately repair them.

Secondly, proteins are only important for their amino acids -- a person who proclaims they do not need much protein to build muscle simply because they do not eat traditional sources of protein such as eggs, fish and meat, will certainly be eating a lot of other foods which contain certain amino acids which come together to make enough amino acids to provide the growth they do experience.

Many people believe protein is over hyped and part of some conspiracy spearheaded by supplement companies. However, the importance of protein in building muscle mass has been known for far longer than protein supplements have existed, so that myth can be squashed right there.

The best bodybuilders and bodybuilding trainers are fanatical testers. Not only do they test every element of training and exercise regimes, but they also test every conceivable diet. I absolutely guarantee you if eating more protein wasn’t essential to boosting muscle growth, this would by now be common knowledge and laughed at as an antiquated thought.

Protein provides the amino acids needed to repair and grow muscle mass, carbohydrates provide the fuel for the muscles to function, and fats help to maintain production of important muscle building hormones such as testosterone.

Bodybuilders don’t just need more protein; they need more of everything.