By Christine Pinney Karkow, ACE and AFAA Certified Personal Trainer Getting the right amount of protein is vital to good health. Our bodies break down the protein molecules that we eat into amino acids, the body’s building blocks for all body tissue. Most people need about .8 grams of protein per kg of body weight (1.37 for the serious body builder and/or endurance athlete). For most, these protein needs can be met by following a well-balanced, nutritious diet. What defines a good source … [Read more...]
How Much Protein DO YOU NEED To Build Muscle?
By Christine Pinney Karkow, ACE Certified Personal Trainer Often, those seeking to develop strength, muscle mass, and/or a leaner body, have subscribed to the theory that one should eat massive amounts of protein, either in diet and/or protein supplements. In reality, this additional protein is not only unnecessary, but can put added stress on the kidneys as well. In order to explain why, we must first understand what protein is, and how the body uses it. The protein molecule is comprised of … [Read more...]
Real Free-Range Eggs
By Cheryl Long and Tabitha Alterman | The new results are in: Eggs from hens allowed to peck on pasture are a heck of a lot better than those from chickens raised in cages! Most of the eggs currently sold in supermarkets are nutritionally inferior to eggs produced by hens raised on pasture. That is the conclusion Mother Earth News Magazine has reached following completion of their 2007 egg testing project. The testing has found that, compared to official U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) … [Read more...]
If You Are Bed-Ridden For More Than A Week
Eat more protein to prevent loss of muscle mass. A recent small study reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 86, No. 2, 366-372, August 2007 showed that calorie restriction under conditions of muscle inactivity (e.g., lying in bed or chronically restricted movement due to illness or injury) accelerated the breakdown and loss of muscle mass (protein), even at 2 weeks duration. The technical research conclusion was that “calorie restriction enhanced the catabolic … [Read more...]
