Is The Protein Pedestal On Tilt?

Is the protein pedestal on tilt?

When it comes to protein as a necessary macronutrient for health, growth, and repair, protein is essential, right up there with carbohydrate and fat.

But what about all the hoopla (propaganda?) about high amounts of protein being optimal, perhaps even necessary, for muscle building?

In other words, do high amounts of dietary protein enhance muscle development, or even spare muscle when exercise loads decrease?

Good Guys/Bad Guys

We've all seen the wild fluctuations and debate about which macronutrient is currently king.  Years ago carbohydrate reigned supreme – fats and proteins didn't seem to hold a candle.  Fat became the bad guy, protein seemed lost in the shuffle.

For awhile. Then protein was pushed hard.

I remember during the gym explosion (along with my subscription to Muscle and Fitness Magaziine) in the 80, pushing protein was BIG big business.  It got many of us tracking every gram, trying to pack more in, while keeping fat and carbs in check.  It was all to help us keep fat stores reduced while building muscle density.  Eat muscle to make muscle.

Of course, as a vegetarian, my protein supplementation had to get a little creative!  But I bought the protein-party line along with everyone else.

Never very successfully or for very long, because the heavier protein diet never really appealed to me or left me feeling that great.  I always tended to gravitate naturally toward a moderate protein diet.

And I never, EVER personally experienced a difference – body composition wise – with higher or lower levels of protein in my diet.  It seemed my results were far more dependent on my exercise and workouts.

To this day, that continues to be my experience.  I aspire to a trim physique, with enough muscle for good energy, function, and shape, and to optimize my metabolic rate as well.

But workouts and calorie load seem to have much more bearing on results than paying attention to grams-per-kilo or oz-per-pound of protein ever did.

How Much Protein? Some Exciting News

Which is why I am thrilled to see that my friend, nutrition, and fasting expert Brad Pilon has a new book just about to explode onto the marketplace.

Due for release later this month, his much researched book How Much Protein: The Shocking Answer To the Question, How Much Protein Do I Need To Build Muscle?" delivers some enlightening details.

You may be familiar with my discussion of Brad's first book, Eat Stop Eat, and my discussion of experiences with his work on fasting in Min-Fasts:  My 4-Month Report and 5 Reasons To Try Mini Fasts.

Well, I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy of Brad's NEW book.  I'm not quite finished – there is a lot of detail and data to wade through – but I have read enough to be able to tell you that according to the research explored in the How Much Protein…. book,  my personal experiences and suspicions about protein and muscle have been substantiated.

But you don't have to just take my word for it!  There are some great opportunities in coordination with release of this new book of which you will able to take advantage!

Upcoming Info And Use My Affiliate Link For A Great Deal

First, I will be posting right here on my blog some of the countdown-to-book-release materials:  articles, perhaps even video.

Second, during the first 3 days of promotion, the new …Protein book comes FREE with a new purchase of Eat Stop Eat when you follow my affiliate link during those days to purchase Eat Stop Eat – if you've been on the fence about making that purchase, well, that would be a good time to do so.

Don't Get Me Wrong

This is not a "protein bashing" book in the least.  It is simply an exploration into a commonly held belief in the fitness industry regarding protein consumption and muscle anabolism.Think the debate will continue?  I'm betting we can count on it.

I'm excited to bring you all the news and read more myself!  Stay tuned in the coming days for new features right here.

© Lani Muelrath

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