Fitfattie

The effectiveness of protein for muscle growth has been well , however, apart from being great for muscle growth it is fundamental for a diversity of other bodily processes. Therefore protein is a fundamental for good health, but what happens if you don't get enough protein?

Whilst certain foods rich in protein can also be high in fat, many protein rich foods such as red meat or fish carry certain nutrients that are also important for health. Iron, for example, is most readily found in meat, and therefore is a by product of protein intake from these sources. Too little iron, can lead to tiredness and lack of energy.

As protein is used extensively by the body, it is lost daily or converted into fat or glucose; therefore it is important that protein levels are frequently replenished, and whilst some amino acids (the building blocks of protein) are able to be produced by the body, 8 of the 22 has to come from external sources.

If your protein levels drop, then this could affect all sorts of processes, such as generation of new cells, hormone and enzyme production and of course muscle growth. This makes protein intake especially important for children, whose bodies are continuously growing.

Protein and amino acids is easily available from protein shakes and other supplements,. And therefore if you are worried about not getting enough protein, protein shakes, whey powder etc can be a great way to bolster your protein levels.