{"id":9954,"date":"2024-02-22T15:40:38","date_gmt":"2024-02-22T15:40:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.suppleam.com\/how-does-protein-powder-work-sports-dietitian-explains\/"},"modified":"2024-02-22T20:02:15","modified_gmt":"2024-02-22T20:02:15","slug":"how-does-protein-powder-work-sports-dietitian-explains","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.suppleam.com\/en\/how-does-protein-powder-work-sports-dietitian-explains\/","title":{"rendered":"How Does Protein Powder Work? Sports dietitian explains."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What exactly is protein powder and how does it work in our bodies? In this article, I explain what protein powder does, what types there are and what the best way is to use it.<\/p>\n\n

Written by A.L. Oosterling BSc sports dietitian, NSCA-CPT, ISAK anthropometrist<\/em><\/p>\n\n

What is Protein Powder?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n

Protein powder is a powder consisting mainly of protein in “isolate”<\/a> or “hydrolysate”<\/a> form. These proteins are extracted from various sources, including cow’s milk, eggs or plant-based sources such as peas, rice and soy. If you want to learn more about how protein powder is made, click here.<\/a> The purpose of protein powder is to help people get an extra portion of protein to more easily meet their daily protein needs. <\/p>\n\n

A continuous breakdown and build of body proteins<\/h2>\n\n

In our bodies, there is a continuous breakdown and buildup of body proteins. Proteins are used for a variety of body functions, including building and repairing muscles and body cells, but also supporting the immune system and making enzymes and hormones.<\/p>\n\n

This is where the digestion of protein starts<\/h2>\n\n

Stomach<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

When you eat or drink protein, it enters the stomach. Our gastric juice contains an enzyme that turns larger proteins into smaller proteins.<\/p>\n\n

Small intestine<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n
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  1. In the duodenum, pancreatic juice mixes with the food we ate. Pancreatic juice contains enzymes, which chop proteins into even smaller pieces. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. In the wall of the small intestine are millions of tiny glands that make intestinal juice. Gut juice contains enzymes that break down the smaller pieces of protein into amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of a protein. Comparable to a house made of LEGO, in which each amino acid symbolizes a LEGO block. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Through the wall of the villi, the amino acids pass through the blood to the liver. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
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      \"what<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/ol>\n\n

      Liver<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

      The liver plays an important role in processing protein. It selects amino acids from the blood and distinguishes different types: essential and non-essential amino acids<\/em> Some amino acids are used to make muscle proteins, others for liver and blood proteins, and the rest are converted or broken down. <\/p>\n\n

      If there’s a shortage of amino acids, the liver can create new non-essential amino acids. If an excess of amino acids, the liver can also convert amino acids into energy (fuel in calories); per 1 gram of protein, releases about 4 kcal. In this process, nitrogen groups are separated from amino acids and converted into urea, which the kidneys remove from the body through urine. <\/p>\n\n

      An excessive calorie deficit (for example, when losing a lot of weight), but also if you eat too few carbohydrates, or experience stress (illness), your body uses more protein for energy than for building muscle. In this case, more protein is needed to avoid losing too much of our muscle.<\/p>\n\n

      \"how<\/a><\/figure>\n\n

      Why is protein important for muscle<\/strong>? Some facts in a row<\/h3>\n\n