Along with carbohydrates and fat, your body needs protein, a nutrient made up of essential and nonessential amino acids, for good health. Your body manufactures 13 nonessential amino acids, which aren’t available from food. For the body to process protein properly, the foods that you eat must contain the nine essential amino acids that are available only from dietary sources.

How does your body use protein from food? Protein helps to maintain and replace the tissues in your body, and it is found in almost every living cell and fluid. Your muscles, organs and many of your hormones are made up of protein, and it is also used in the manufacture of hemoglobin, the red blood cells that carry oxygen to your body. Protein is also used to manufacture antibodies that fight infection and disease and is integral to your body’s blood clotting ability. Both children and adults need plenty of protein to grow and develop.

When trying to Calculate how much protien you should take after working out, make sure NOT to just go with what it says on the side of the bottle.  Think about what Your Personal Fitness Goals are and what your ideal body structure would be.  Are you looking for getting lean and fit, muscle building, weight gaining?? All of these reccommend for different protien intakes on top of the amount of mass you currently have.  Personally I take about 40 grams of protein within a half hour of working out, and then eat a high protien meal (13-25 grams protein) about an hour later.  I am 160 lbs and 5’11″ and am going for muscular but lean.  We will be placing charts for most body types soon though.. Thanks!