Using soy protein as a supplement can be a real advantage to bodybuilders looking to gain lean muscle mass and reduce body fat. Soy protein can help to reduce abdominal fat and provide a temporary increase in metabolism. Soy protein is also effective at encouraging muscle formation. A good grounding in nutrition and training are arguably the most important elements of a bodybuilding program alongside rest and recovery. But once these are in place, supplements such as soy protein certainly have a part to play.
Soy Protein & Bodybuilding
Because of the increased demands a bodybuilding program put on the body, making sure you take on all the vitamins and minerals the body needs is important as even small deficiencies can sabotage muscle growth and compromise your health. In particular, the amino acids found in soy protein are essential to the healthy growth and repair of muscles and boost your immune system.
Using Soy Protein to Reduce Body Fat
It is well known that consuming soy protein will help you to feel fuller for longer. Soy protein can be used to reduce cravings and contribute to a healthy diet. Soy protein has also been shown to raise thyroid hormone output which can be advantageous to bodybuilders. Although higher levels of thyroid hormone are associated with higher protein intakes, soy protein has been shown to be particularly effective at increasing levels of these hormones. Thyroid hormones control your metabolic rate so an increase in these hormones results in a temporary boost in metabolism which in turn increases the effectiveness of your body in using fat stores. Studies have shown that consumption of soy protein as part of a healthy diet can lead to a reduction in abdominal fat.
Building Muscle with Soy Protein
Soy protein has been linked with a reduction in t-levels. This hormone plays an important part in building muscle mass and also in fat reduction. The latest research confirms that taking soy protein does may t-levels and will not have a negative impact on building muscle mass.
Both whey and soy proteins are considered to be complete proteins containing all the essential amino acids required by the body. While both whey and soy proteins can help aid in muscle development and growth, soy protein is especially rich in arginine which helps muscle formation. However, the body digests soy protein at a slower rate than whey protein which makes soy protein slightly less effective at rebuilding muscle. For the best of both worlds it is recommended that a 2:1 ration of whey to soy protein – taken two/three times a day to enhance muscle building. Of course if you are body building on a vegan diet, or have a dairy intolerance, soy protein is a great alternative to whey protein.
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