Is it possible to get big off just tofu and vegetables?
When it comes to bodybuilding, protein is known to be a staple part of any routine.
But the bigger question people want to know is whether or not it is mandatory for the growth of muscles.
That’s why we’ve spent hours researching what experts and scientists have to say about whether or not you can build muscle without protein. If you’re wondering whether protein is essential for massive gains, read on.
Quick Summary
- You cannot build muscles without protein since it contains amino acids, responsible for building and maintaining body tissues.
- To properly build muscles, consistently eat enough proteins, and regularly engage in workouts.
- Taking too much protein can result in constipation, indigestion, bad breath, and dehydration, among others.
Do We Need Protein for Muscle Growth?
Protein is required for muscle growth as it contains amino acids.
These enzymes are essential building blocks that are responsible for the building and maintenance of bodily tissue.
Your body normally prioritizes proteins for the maintenance of important bodily functions.
In order to create a protein surplus, you need to increase the amount of calories you eat, providing you with an excess to be used for growth.
How Does Protein Intake Work?
Most people know that protein intake affects muscle growth. But do you know what exactly happens to your body after you intake some form of protein?
When you consume any type of food, and the digestion process starts, your pancreas makes pancreatic enzymes.
These enzymes, such as protease and trypsin, break down fats, sugars, and proteins. During this process, long protein strains are broken into singular amino acids, which are then absorbed in the intestines and shipped to ribosomes [2].
Finally, they are used to construct new proteins.
But Is Protein Powder Necessary To Build Muscle?
Taking any type of protein powder is not an absolute must for building muscle.
Some lean types of meat like chicken breast and beef and natural food such as nuts, seeds, and tofu also contain protein.
If you’d prefer to take protein in a natural form, adding these foods to your diet will work just as well.
But if you want to increase the amount of proteins in some other way, a shake or powder formula will do the trick.
Additionally, whey protein is considered the best of the protein powders for building muscles.
What Is the Best Way To Build Muscle Mass?
To build muscle mass, you’ll want to make the following things a priority.
1. Get Enough Protein
Without proteins, you won’t have enough nutrients to grow.
Ensuring you have enough protein allows your body to utilize them towards muscle building and get swole.
If you’re struggling to add more proteins due to your appetite, opt for protein shakes or a protein supplement that’s easier on your digestion.
2. Eat Consistently
Not getting enough calories is one of the biggest factors preventing healthy weight gain and the growth of muscles.
The more you eat, the more calories you have to work with.
Eating on a consistent basis provides your body with a calorie surplus to help you bulk up fast.
Aim to eat a meal every three to four hours. By splitting up your calorie intake, it’ll allow you to digest food faster.
3. Switch To Natural Whole Foods
Whatever gets put into your system needs a place to be stored.
Junk food and processed products contain tons of sugar that provide nothing that your body needs for growth.
Alongside carbs, these sugars get stored in your fat cells and contribute to your total weight.
Incorporating natural whole foods into your meals is one of the best things you can do.
These foods are great for your health and provide plenty of nutrient sources to allow your body to grow.
4. Opt For Healthy Fats
Fat is needed to provide your muscles during those intense workouts.
You’ll want to focus on eating good fat that benefits the heart.
This includes olive oil, avocado, and omega 3s found in eggs.
You can also get healthy fat from nuts and fatty fish, which also helps with the intake of proteins.
In general, your fat intake should be roughly 20-35% of your total calories.
5. Make A Commitment To Exercise Regularly
If you’re looking to bulk up, you’ll need to do more than making the gym a New Year’s Resolution.
Commitment to a healthy diet and exercise is key for muscle gain. As quoted by researchers:
“Persistence in [weight] training and diet is essential [for muscle gains]. Recently, research has shown that hypertrophy that occurs at initial stages of RT (~4 sessions) is mostly attributable to muscle damage-induced cell swelling, with the majority of strength gains resulting from neural adaptations (8−12 sessions). Within the latter phase of RT (6−10 weeks), growth begins to become the dominant factor. [1]”
- Michal Krzysztofik, PhD in Sports Theory
Based on scientific tests, this means that results won’t be as noticeable for the first few weeks of exercise compared to after 6-10 weeks.
Additionally, you’ll want to include intense workouts such as weight training, strength training, and resistance training in your routine.
This promotes muscle protein synthesis, a process where protein is produced to repair muscle damage caused by intense exercise. As a result, your muscles will become stronger and grow larger as well.
Are There Any Side Effects of Taking Too Much Protein?
Taking too much protein can come with many side effects such as constipation, diarrhea, bad breath, excessive weight loss, indigestion, dehydration, and some diseases.
As your protein intake increases, other nutrients and fluids are used to break it down.
This means an excessively high-protein meal plan will create an imbalance in your bodily system by forcing it to use more resources than necessary.
In most cases, any extra proteins consumed will simply be flushed out when you go to the toilet.
Over long periods of time, however, it can lead to the many side effects listed above. That’s why it’s important not to go over the board with proteins for too long.
FAQs
Will I Lose Muscle if I Stop Taking Protein?
Your muscles will shrink over time if you completely stop taking protein.
Your body needs enough grams of protein per pound of body fat to ensure proper growth.
If you work out but do not get the necessary amount of protein, it can actually lead to muscle tissue loss.
How Much Protein Should I Consume Daily?
People should consume about 0.36 grams of protein per day for each pound of their body weight.
This totals about 56 grams for men and 46 grams for women (71 grams if they are pregnant or breastfeeding).
Are You Going to Increase Your Protein Intake?
If you’re looking to bulk up your body weight and gain muscle, you’ll need to satisfy your protein needs.
As one of the major nutrients responsible for healthy muscles, protein is needed to ensure they’re getting the minerals they need.
To build muscle effectively, it takes commitment and sacrifice.
This is why bodybuilders and athletes stick to a well-balanced diet, engage in regular, intense exercise, and avoid junk food.
They know it all goes a long way in helping them achieve the body weight they want.
Let us know what your favorite type of protein is for helping you grow.
References:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6950543/
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