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Monday, 2 March 2015

What To Consider When Buying Organic Protein Powder

By Earlene McGee


Although the results of taking supplemental proteins are most visible in bodybuilders, people at all levels of strength and fitness also use them to increase muscular strength and build endurance. They are popular with those who regularly exercise and want faster, targeted results. Organic protein powder is a natural choice for consumers who already avoid chemical pesticide residues in their food, and has become a significant segment of the supplement industry.

Commonly consumed in smoothie or shake form, the substance is most often made from soy, milk, whey, casein, eggs, or rice. There is no special equipment needed to mix them. Their portability makes drinking them at work simple, their lower calorie formulas are helpful to people trying to shed pounds, and they are digested easily. They help restore muscles after heavy exercise, and are marketed primarily to active, younger individuals.

Nutritionists have long known that most individuals do not require additional dietary protein, and have issued warnings to consumers who may be tempted to use them as regular substitutes for real food. Over-reliance or long term use is not recommended, and can actually result in nutrient deficiencies. In extreme cases, excess protein consumption results in organ and bone problems, and even cancer.

Few people actually use them to that extent, and the supplements can be beneficial for young adults who are still not fully grown. They are also helpful for people beginning an exercise regimen, or increasing the intensity of their current program. People who have been seriously injured use them to help speed recovery, and vegetable-based formulas are ideal for both vegetarians and those who are lactose-intolerant.

For product makers, the next step in development was the incorporation of organically grown and produced ingredients. This industry has been notoriously criticized for a lack of regulation regarding ingredients, and still enjoys few governmental controls compared to other food products. The word organic is freely used in advertising because it sounds attractive, but in reality pesticide-free products have become very important to consumers.

Because people vote against pesticides and synthetic fertilizers with their checkbooks, supermarket sales of organic produce and meat products have gone mainstream, and are no longer limited to health food stores. To receive official certification, foods must be raised, harvested, and produced in accordance with USDA guidelines and regulations. In theory, those same standards must also be applied to the ingredients that make up powdered proteins.

Smart consumers look past advertising phraseology and actually read the ingredients label before making an informed choice. Calling a manufactured product ethical and pure does not transform it into a naturally occurring food, even though it may be beneficial. The cost of traditional foods carrying that label is generally higher, and nutritional supplements also reflect that phenomenon.

People struggling with a gluten intolerance or potentially deadly food allergy find natural products to be less risky personally, and worth the added costs. Other people prefer products that do not encourage degradation of an already-stressed natural environment. There are more supplemental powders available now than ever, and carefully checking the ingredients before buying is time well spent.




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