Complete Proteins

Visit us at www.intrafitt.com so you too, can have your own individualized nutrition and exercise program.  Get fit for life eating whole, natural foods.  No potions, pills or shots!

It is commonly known among health professionals that complete proteins (animal derived) contain all the nine essential amino acids (valine, leucine, isoleucine, tryptophan, lysine, methionine, histidine phenylalanine, and threonine).  These amino acids are termed essential because the human body cannot biosynthesize them, yet relies on their availability to prevent a number of deficiencies associated with the growth, maintenance and repair of the body proteins.  As a result, the essential amino acids must be supplied to the body via diet, and/or supplementation.  Listed below are a number of different biological proteins that the body must constantly biosyntheisze in order to maintain and regulate the normal day-to-day functioning of the organs and organ systems.  As you will see, dietary protein requirements are based on more than just the need to build and maintain the muscles of the body.

Within the human body, biological proteins are typically classified as one of the following:

Regulatory Proteins:  Enzymes such as the fat-burning enzymes in the mitochondria are necessary for the oxidation of fatty acids.  Hormones such as insulin and growth hormone regulate numerous biological processes and chemical reactions associated with the maintenance, growth and repair of the organs and organ systems.

Transportative Proteins:  Hemoglobin transports oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood.

Protective Proteins:  Antibodies are the defense mechanisms that destroy antigens and fight infection within the body.

Contractive Proteins:  Actin and Myosin are the contractile proteins in muscle fiber that allow for muscles to contract and move.

Structural Proteins:  Collagen fibers form the structural framework in many parts of the body including the skin, hair and nails.

In strength and honor,
William (Billy) Smith/aka Thunder of the American Gladiators

Listen to us every Sunday on http://www.wbt.com/  – 10 AM EST.  Call in and ask your questions!

Complete Protein vs Incomplete Protein…What is the Difference?

William Smith is the President / CEO and Founder of the INTRAFITT Corporation which was established in California in 1992. Will has won more than twenty-eight bodybuilding championships and is also known for his role as “THUNDER” on television’s American Gladiator between 1990 – 1992. He is a National and International Speaker on Performance Nutrition and Exercise Science.

For the most part, dietary proteins can be divided into two categories; Complete Proteins which are those derived from animal sources such as chicken, fish, eggs, beef, turkey, milk, yogurt, and cheese and Incomplete Proteins such as those derived from plant and vegetable sources including nuts, seeds, rice, pasta and beans.  Quantitatively and qualitatively speaking, complete proteins are superior in amino acid content and bioavailable nitrogen per unit weight than incomplete proteins.  This is important to realize because the role of amino acids in human metabolism is to not only build and maintain the tissues of the body but also to transport, regulate, protect and maintain a variety of other metabolic processes.

Please send all questions to info@intrafitt.com  Join me on Sunday mornings at www.wbt.com at 10 AM EST for my new radio show or log onto to www.intrafitt.com and listen to it 24/7 under Media Center.

In strength and honor,
William Smith/aka Thunder

Next time we will discuss the role that amino acids play in the hormonal regulation of lipolysis and beta-oxidation.

What Percentage of Our Meals should Be Made Up of Carbs?

William Smith is the President / CEO and Founder of the INTRAFITT Corporation which was established in California in 1992. Will has won more than twenty-eight bodybuilding championships and is also known for his role as “THUNDER” on television’s American Gladiator between 1990 – 1992. He is a National and International Speaker on Performance Nutrition and Exercise Science.

In order to achieve optimal levels of health, fitness and performance, a carbohydrate intake of approximately 50 – 60% of an individual’s recommended dietary calories should be maintained.  Although the range of these percentages seems insignificant, the hormonal effects produced when eaten in the proper ratio with dietary protein and fat can be quite influential and have a powerful impact on the regulatory systems that directly affect metabolism.  Keep in mind that, as with all nutrients, the specific amount needed from one person to the next is entirely based on individual metabolic variables, environmental stressors and behavioral factors.

Visit us at www.intrafitt.com so you too, can have your own individualized nutrition and exercise program.  Get fit for life eating whole, natural foods.  No potions, pills or shots!

In health and honor,
William Smith/aka Thunder of the American Gladiators

PS-Join us on Sundays at 10:00 AM (EST) at www.wbt.com for our new radio show.  Give us a call and ask any nutrition question that you have been pondering for decades or since yesterday!

Fiber vs Fat: The Regulation of Digestion and Blood Sugar

William Smith is the President / CEO and Founder of the INTRAFITT Corporation which was established in California in 1992. Will has won more than twenty-eight bodybuilding championships and is also known for his role as “THUNDER” on television’s American Gladiator between 1990 – 1992. He is a National and International Speaker on Performance Nutrition and Exercise Science.

Among other benefits, dietary fiber has also been shown to actually slow the rate of digestion, which in itself can have a number of independent health implications.  For many years now, dietary fats have played an integral role in therapeutic and performance nutrition as a regulatory agent in the process of digestion.  The inhibitory effect that dietary fats have on the release of hydrochloric acid has been shown to prolong the emptying time of the stomach, therefore increasing satiety while controlling the rate at which food enters the blood stream via the liver.  As presented in the article entitled “Insulin Resistance: A New Paradigm for Medical Nutrition Therapy and Nutrition Education”, by  the American Dietetic Association in 1995 Fall Volume of SCAN’s Pulse, it was suggested that dietary fat should make up no less than 20% of the total calories at each meal in order to encourage satiety and to help manage postprandial hyperinsulinemia and associated dyslipidemia.  This concept has caused a considerable amount of controversy regarding the pros and cons of consuming dietary fats.

Although dietary fiber may not exert the same actions on the digestive process as dietary fats, fiber has been shown to slow the process of digestion and even decrease the rate of intestinal absorption therefore helping to regulate the release of insulin and its consequential effects on blood sugar.

In regards to how much fiber should be included in your diet, the recommended fiber intake per day is 20-35 grams in a ratio of 3:1 water-insoluble to water-soluble.  Furthermore, as with all other nutrients, fiber intake should be derived from whole natural foods and not synthetic products such as those found in over the counter dietary fiber supplements and laxatives.

Here is a list of some fiber rich foods to include in your daily diet: freeze-dried parsley, lima beans (dried), All Bran, red kidney beans, garbanzo beans, plain popped corn, oats, split peas, lentils, dried figs, whole wheat crackers, dried prunes, light rye toast, whole wheat, apples, baked potatoes with skin and lettuce.

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Who are we? 

INTRAFITT (INTRA-Cellular Fitness) is a comprehensive Individualized Nutrition and Exercise Program designed to teach you exactly How, What, When and Why to eat and exercise in order to completely and entirely “Re-Program” your Mind, Body & Spirit to be Fit, Healthy and Strong for Life!

In health and honor,
William Smith/aka Thunder of the American Gladiators