Is Protein Used For Energy?

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.

Although carbohydrates and fats are the body’s primary fuel source during rest and exercise, amino acids such as Leucin, Isoleucine, Valine and Glutamine are also used for energy purposes especially during long bouts of exercise.  In fact, in the later stages of prolonged endurance exercise, protein may contribute up to 15% of the total energy used by the muscles.  Individual metabolic variables, the nutritional status, biological conditions and behavioral factors will ultimately determine the rate and to what extent amino acids are used for energy during rest and exercise in each individual.

Incomplete Proteins (plant and vegetable derived) are quite different from Complete proteins in a variety of ways and are commonly referred to as protein containing foods because they do not contain adequate levels of all of the nine essential amino acids and because they are usually higher in carbohydrates than they are in protein.  For example, the protein contained in a one and a half ounce serving of pasta equated to approximately six grams of incomplete protein, thirty two grams of carbohydrates and 165 calories.    However in a one and a half ounce chicken breast you will get ten grams of complete protein, zero carbohydrates and only 45 calories.

As you can see, the protein yield in the chicken breast is almost twice as high when compared to the pasta, whereas the calorie yield is nearly 70% lower.  It is important to point out that animal meats are approximately 70% water, which contributes to the low-calorie content on a per ounce basis when compared to that of a carbohydrate rich food.  Perhaps this is one reason why popular diet themes today suggest high-protein/low carbohydrate meal plans to promote weight loss.

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

Visit us at www.intrafitt.com to purchase your individual nutrition program.  Any questions, I am gladiator@intrafitt.com  Hope to hear from you soon.

Complete Proteins

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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

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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.

Protein Needs for Strength Trained Athletes

We received quite a few comments and questions regarding the amount of protein one needs if bodybuilding vs regular day to day protein needs.  I’d like to address this a little more…

This is a great question however what defines a “bodybuilder”?

 We need to define the criteria of all individuals, whether they are athletes or non athletes; weight trained or endurance, etc….  The reason why this is so important is that the total number of calories as well as the absolute ratio of complete protein, carbohydrates and dietary fats (on a prandial or per meal basis) for each individual is entirely dependent on the level of condition (keep in mind that a person’s condition usually parallels the frequency, intensity, time or duration and type of exercise he or she is accustomed to engaging on a regular basis) that the individual happens to be in at the time his/her diet is fabricated.  For example; if we found that a 200LB male at 20% body fat was to eat 600 calories at each meal throughout the day (with a meal being eaten every 2-3 hours from the time he wakes until the time he goes to bed in order to stabilize blood sugar) and with a recommended nutrient ratio of 25/55/20 (P/C/F) and he then began engaging in weight training activities each day for an hour or longer on a regular and consistent basis; would he then need to increase his protein intake over and above the 38 grams of protein he was already eating at each meal throughout the day before he began weight training on a regular basis?

 The answer believe it or not is “no” and in many cases the protein recommendations for an individual subject to these variables would actually decrease over time.  Of course the next question would then be “Why would this be the case?”  The best way to explain this would be analogous to asking the question “would a student earning his/her PhD need to study more or less than a student earning his/her high school diploma?”  The answer to both questions simply boils down to two constants; “need” and “efficiency”.   In simple terms, when the need for protein is high, net protein retention (the body’s ability to efficiently absorb and retain protein) usually is not and vice versa (when NPR is high, the need for protein will be proportionately lower).  Your question might now be; “what variables effect Net Protein Retention” and “what variables effect the Protein Need”?  In an effort to keep this Q&A short and succinct we have provided the following brief lists:

Variables that effect the body’s “NEED” for protein:

•  Lean Body Mass
•    FITT of Strength Training Activities
•    NPR (Net Protein Retention)

 Variables that effect the body’s “NPR” (Net Protein Retention):

• Protein Synthesis
• Protein Breakdown
•  Net Protein Balance

 If you’d like to review a research abstract that further reveals these findings you may do so at  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17111010

 If you have further questions or would like more information on this or any other Allied Health Care topic, please send your questions to info@intrafitt.com

 Kindest regards,

 William Smith/AKA THUNDER

www.intrafitt.com

888.212.6622

“Show me a man who cannot bother to do little things, and I’ll show you a man who cannot be trusted to do big things.”

                

Protein-The Body’s Most Important Element Next to Water

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I’m excited to talk with you about Protein today!  Next to water, protein is the most abundant element in the body and plays a vital role in the maintenance and development of all regulatory and structural components within.

Protein provides the primary building material for muscles, blood, skin, nails hair and internal organs such as the heart and brain.  Protein is also required for the development of various hormones which control and regulate a variety of bodily functions such as reproduction, muscular growth, and the rate of metabolism.  Protein also helps prevent the blood and tissues from becoming either too acidic or too alkaline by controlling pH levels.  The synthesis of regulatory and protective proteins such as enzymes and antibodies is also dependent on the amount of protein supplied by the diet.  Enzymes are formed within the cells and initiate thousands of catalytic reactions per second that are both anabolic and catabolic.  For example, the digestion of foods, the breakdown of fats and the synthesis of lean muscle tissue are all reliant on enzymatic reactions.

Antibodies are protective proteins each containing a specific amino acid sequence.  Antibodies are formed in response to the presence of foreign particles (antigens), which invade the body.  Each antibody, however, is capable of combating only one type of antigen; therefore, an antibody which has been produced to destroy one particular strain of influenza would be of no help in destroying another strain.

Finally, dietary protein may also be used as a source of energy within the body.  The extent to which this process takes place, however, is largely dependent on the availability of the protein sparing energy nutrients, carbohydrates and fats.

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.

Visit us on the web at www.intrafitt to see all our programs and certifications.

 **Should you have a question regarding nutrition or exercise techniques, send an email to gladiator@intrafitt.com