Training Programs

Power of Protein

Recently I have received numerous questions about protein – specifically how important it in an overall diet and the role is that protein plays in health & performance. Protein’s specific role in the body is to rebuild everything that is torn down and stressed on a daily a basis: muscle tissue, organs, glands, and bones.  In addition to being a key element in the rebuilding process, protein is also necessary in the metabolism process, maintaining neurotransmitters (the chemical messages used by the nervous system to signal proper function throughout the body) and to make natural antibodies for the immune system. 

Amino Acids

Dietary protein is made up of building blocks called amino acids.  In order for amino acids to be most effective in our health and ultimately our performance, protein must be efficiently digested in the intestine and then effectively absorbed.  Once absorbed, amino acids are used either as individual products or recombined as proteins.  For example, the amino acid tryptophan is used to make certain neurotransmitters in the brain.  Recombining amino acids provides the manufacturing of new muscle cells.  There are 20 amino acids necessary to human nutrition, all of which are indispensable for good health and performance.  While some of these amino acids can be made by the body, others must be consumed through diet.  Those amino acids that the body can make are referred to as “non-essential” and those that body can’t make are referred to as “essential”.  In general, animal foods are the best source of complete protein, containing both essential and non-essential amino acids.  According to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, the highest rated protein food is eggs, followed by whey, beef and fish. 

When you are consuming adequate amounts of high-quality protein throughout the day and then consuming a whey protein shake prior to bed, you will be able to handle higher levels of workload before becoming fatigued resulting in greater performance gains in a shorter period of time.  An additional benefit to watching your protein intake, is that your chances of becoming sick will be significantly reduced; this will add to your overall consistency in training – another key to Working Smart, Not Hard, and Avoid Overtraining!

Yours in sport & health,

-Coach Robb, Coaches, and Staff

Thought for the week:

“The difference in winning and losing is most often, not quitting.”