Protein: Health Benefits

A week ago today a slightly nervous me was required to give a lecture on “Incremental and Rational Policy making with regard to Sport.”(Sounds boring I know.) Those listening included Doctors, representatives from the Government and lastly about 5 of my mates intent on pulling funny faces throughout the entire speech. Now I’m not one to blow my own trumpet…but: toot toot, haha… I would say it went pretty well. Professionally delivered, nicely presented handouts and I answered all the questions at the end with conviction and certainty. All really good…apart from 1 thing… I was ‘flying low,’ yes good people, the zip on my trousers was infact down revealing my colourful blue and yellow boxers to all in attendance…. A rookie error!

Now you are probably sitting there thinking, “Ross mate, what does you and your flies have anything to do with protein?” Well I believe there to be an important comparison, allow me to explain.

Upon preparing for my lecture I was sure to revise my speech, organise my notes, plan my handouts….etc Yet I failed to do the very basics well, that being ensure I’m not flying low. Now exactly the same can be said for those of us who wish to maintain a health body. We can invest in the latest herbal remedies and attend the fanciest detox spas but if we don’t get enough protein, we are metaphorically caught ‘flying low.’ Since protein has the following main physical roles within the body:

Enzymes: Enzymes are made from amino acids (from protein) highly important since enzymes ensure the various metabolic functions of the body can operate.  

Structural Components: Protein is used to make the various forms of tissue found within the body. This tissue can be further divided into 2 distinct groups:

Fibrous Structural Protein: This includes soft tissue from the skeletal system

Collagen: Insoluble protein in connective tissue, bones, tendons, and skin of animals and fish.

Elastin: A protein similar to collagen that is the principal structural component of elastic fibres in the arteries, lungs, elastic ligaments, the skin, the bladder, and elastic cartilage.

Keratin: A tough, insoluble protein substance that is the chief structural constituent of hair and nails. Also imperative to the structural constituent of horns and hooves (an important note should any centaurs find themselves accessing the site sixpacknow.com and reading this.)  

Contractile Protein:  This includes the components of the muscle, which actually produce force (i.e. are responsible for muscle contraction) Namely:

Actin: A protein abundantly present in many cells, especially muscle cells, that along with Myosin significantly contributes to the cell's structure and motility. 

Myosin: A contractile protein that forms the thicker of the two types of filaments in muscle fibres.

Immunoproteins: Amino acids from protein are essential in the formation of the immune systems defence of immunoglobulins and antibodies.  

Transports Proteins: ‘Transport Proteins’ such as albumin, haemoglobin and myoglobin are essential for the transportation of chemicals around the body

So in summation:

Get enough protein down your ‘pie hole’ to maintain and support a healthy body

Always make sure you’re ‘zipped’ and not flashing every man and his dog your underwear when speaking at a conference. 

Other Articles from Ross: Science of Fat Loss, Cardio Intensity, Less 'Commercial' Fat Loss Supplements, Green Tea, Sugar in the Diet

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