The Protein Puzzle
Here at Manduu we’re all about building muscle, so you’re going to hear us talk a lot about protein. Here’s why:
- Protein is the main building block of the body, essential for muscles and organs, among other things.
- When we’re young, most of the protein we eat is available for our muscles. But as we age – and that means beginning at about the Big Four Zero – our organs require more and more protein. The body will direct protein first to organs, with muscles getting the leftovers. In fact, by age 50, as much as 80 percent of the protein we eat is going to support organ function.
It’s common for new Manduu clients to see a nice spike in muscle mass after their first couple of workouts, but they might not see the trend continue. That’s because their body was using the protein that was left over after their organs had had their fill. But going forward, they might not be consuming enough protein to sustain muscle growth.
You can compensate and accommodate your new workout simply by eating more protein. The protein intake that was adequate at age 30 is no longer enough for the 50 year old, especially the 50 yr. old who is looking to build muscle. The diet that would have been considered a high protein diet for the 30 yr. old is a normal protein diet for the older adult. How much protein is enough? Aim for between .65 to .70 grams of protein for each pound of body weight. That’s 85-90 grams per day for someone who weighs 130 lbs., or 120-130 grams per day for someone who weighs 185 lbs. After age 65 that number goes even higher. You probably need to consider a protein powder supplement to reach that goal, and we offer the best on the market.
The other great thing about protein? Studies show that it both boosts metabolism and reduces appetite, so it’s doubly important to get enough protein if you’re trying to lose weight.
And don’t forget to feed the machine immediately after your workout, consuming 20-30 grams of protein within half an hour of a workout. Paying attention to your protein intake might make all the difference in your Manduu results.