To make an appt, call us or schedule an appointment online hereElevation Medical Weight Loss of Pittsburgh & Weirton 2350 Noblestown Rd. Pittsburgh, PA 15205 (412) 304-2016 241 Three Springs Dr. Weirton, WV 26062 (304) 914-3112
Often when we discuss diet with our patients, we may fail to talk much about protein. Depending on how you approach your weight loss, the amount of protein you need will relative to your body weight. Protein serves a variety of purposes depending on the situation, but for now we want to address how it protects muscle during the weight loss process and how this should inform your personal protein consumption.
When your body is running at a caloric deficit, it will at some point turn to amino acids to supply its caloric needs at points throughout the day. By supplying your body with amino acids in the form of protein rich foods, you can prevent your body from breaking down underused muscle into those amino acids. Several studies have shown that by increasing protein intake to double the recommended amount (for the average women ~120 grams of protein per day, men ~180 grams per day) total weight loss was the same as other dieters except they lost significantly more fat tissue and less muscle mass.
You don’t have to go crazy with protein to gain the muscle protecting benefits it provides, but now that you are aware of the effect you can use it to your advantage even to smaller degrees, Additionally, as we often mention in the clinic, weight training is hugely beneficial for fat loss but works in tandem with increased protein intake to further preserve muscle mass. And remember, less muscle burned mean more fat burned.
