I have been screaming this from the rooftops for 7 years. Seeing as it’s been 7 years, I am giving 7 reasons to prioritise protein. Protein Priority Keto is the easiest and healthiest way to lose weight and regain health. PERIOD. Now that bigger names than me in the community are talking about how important it is to prioritise protein, it is gaining traction. So I am sharing with you my top 7 reasons to prioritise protein.
I knew this way of eating was important to health and weight loss, so much so that Protein Priority Diet is a trademarked name! I believed in it that much. My Keto Bootcamp is called Protein Priority Diet – Keto Bootcamp. I want you to Prioritise Protein!! Protein is everything you are made of. You eat it, you make it in your body, it’s your hormones, it’s how you think, it’s how you move. In short, it’s vital. So let’s get to my 7 reasons to prioritise protein.
1. Prioritise Protein for Weight Loss
I am starting with weight loss because of how important this is to many of us. Protein is the most important macronutrient for weight loss. It is more satiating than carbohydrates or fat, meaning it helps to keep you feeling full for longer. This can help to naturally reduce your overall calorie intake and actually increase weight loss without triggering Conservation Mode.
Additionally, protein can help to maintain lean muscle mass, which is important for maintaining a healthy metabolism so you burn more calories. The more lean muscle you have, the easier your body will deal with any extra glucose from dietary carbs.
But probably the most important reason to prioritise protein is that eating protein can temporarily raise your metabolism. This is called TEF, the thermic effect of food, which just means that your body uses calories to digest the food and use the nutrients. PLUS if you eat a Protein Priority breakfast within 90 minutes of waking up, you can increase your metabolism by up to 2.5 times!! Breakfast has never looked better.
2. Prioritise Protein for Strength
Protein forms the structural framework of various parts of your body. You are literally made of protein, your hair is protein (keratin) and your skin is protein (collagen). Your body needs protein to maintain its structure. If your body doesn’t get enough protein, healing slows down, hair growth slows, your nails become brittle and break easily.
Protein is the major part of your muscles. It is essential for maintaining and repairing body tissues. It is particularly important for athletes and people who engage in regular physical activity, as exercise can cause muscle damage, and protein is needed for muscle repair and growth. This hormetic stress is how you build healthy lean muscle that is calorie hungry and aids weight loss.
3. Prioritise Protein for Hormone Balance
Protein functions as hormones, neurotransmitters and forms neuropeptides like insulin, glutamate, dopamine and endorphins. You need protein for healthy hormones and balanced moods. Low protein intake has been associated with cognitive decline and impaired brain function.
4. Prioritise Protein for Immunity
Protein aids in the immune response that protects your body from foreign substances and invading pathogens. Basically, these proteins (cytokines, interferons, transferrins) are fighting to keep you healthy every second of your life. It is involved in the production of antibodies, which are critical for fighting infections and diseases. Additionally, some proteins have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease and cancer.
5. Prioritise Protein for Energy
Although you don’t use protein for fuel unless it’s an emergency, protein has a job in energy management. Protein transports vital substances throughout your body. Substances like haemoglobin, a protein in your red blood cells that carries oxygen to your body’s organs and tissues and transports carbon dioxide from your organs and tissues back to your lungs.
It transports cholesterol in the form of chylomicrons which take the fat you eat, along with fat soluble vitamins like D, E, A and K, from your intestines to your liver. It’s actually really cool. These little chylomicrons are like a protective protein wrapper that keep the cholesterol, vitamins and triglycerides protected so they can be moved in your bloodstream.
6. Prioritise Protein for Anti-Ageing
Protein acts as an enzyme in your body that helps you break down molecules and regulates biochemical reactions. It helps your body break down old, damaged cells (autophagy) and rebuild new healthy cells.
Protein also contains a lot of collagen. Collagen peptides help keep your skin elasticity. This means that collagen can help reduce signs of ageing. Studies have shown that collagen supplements can keep your skin hydrated and improve skin moisture.
7. Prioritise Protein for Bones
It’s been long since debunked that a diet high in protein increases the acid load in your body which makes your bones leach calcium to deal with the higher acid levels. This is just not true. Your body has processes, called buffer systems, to deal with fluctuating acid levels and protein just doesn’t add to that load.
In fact, protein is good for your bones. This is especially important for women, who lose up to 30% of their bone density after menopause and become at risk for osteoporosis. You can reduce the risk by eating more protein and staying active. It’s the easiest way to help prevent that from happening.
