Protein supplements not just for bodybuilders

Myth: When the general consensus among masses is flawed, that is what myth is. In the world of sports, one of the most common myths that exist is that only bodybuilders should take protein because they aspire to have a physique that would be envied even by the Greek Gods.

However, that statement, as mentioned before, is just a myth. Athletes are often frowned upon for taking what critics believe as ‘too much’ protein. Their job, after all, is to maintain a good balance between bulk and light-weight, but that is where the problem lies.

Adequate protein consumption can be beneficial for numerous types of athletes and active people. For bodybuilders or physique athletes, adequate protein consumption is the cornerstone of their diet and one of the main tools in the quest for larger muscles and a lean physique.

Endurance athletes may also benefit from diets consisting of optimal amounts of protein. Recovery is the crux for endurance athlete and the consumption of adequate protein can help aid that process. Team sports athletes, which often use an amalgamation of endurance and strength exercise, can also benefit from optimal protein intake for these very reasons.

For any team sports (like cricket, for instance) athlete requires physical strength along with endurance. Building strength is a process of muscle breakdown, which occurs naturally during physical exertion, and the rebuilding that follows.

Amino acids are the building blocks of muscle tissue and play a fundamental role in the rebuilding process. The anti-catabolic qualities of essential amino acids, especially the branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) can help prevent excessive muscle breakdown during exercise and trigger protein synthesis to kick-start rebuilding.

The faster these amino acids can be put to work, the better they can do. It is for this reason that whey protein is a favourite choice of many team sports athletes and is among the first things they intake in the morning and before training.

After training, a scientifically formulated ratio of fast carbohydrates and staged proteins can help replenish the muscle fuel known as glycogen while supporting muscle rebuilding. Before bed, a slower digesting micellar casein protein can provide amino acid support through the night. And that’s imperative, since the majority of muscle rebuilding takes place while you’re asleep.

For a cricketer, diet is the most important part of her/his life. Like Virat Kohli once said in his interview on ‘Breakfast with Champions’ with Gaurav Kapur, a good diet and sleep is what closes the difference between a great effort and a simple catch.

Keeping the ongoing T20 season in mind, it is perhaps the right time to bring up a well-known fact. “9 out of 10 Indians are protein deficient”. Since the majority of the players playing in IPL are Indians, protein intake becomes an absolute must for them.

According to the nutritionist of the Mumbai team, the players are given protein shakes based on the intensity of their strength training. Doctors say that an average human needs 0.8 grams of protein-per-kilogram of body weight per day to stay healthy. This number, obviously, goes up the more involved you are in physical activities with bodybuilders requiring between 1.4 to 1.8 grams of protein-per-kg.

Remember when your mother would force you to gulp down the beans? Remember when you were forced to finish that glass of milk before going to school? If protein is a necessity as a kid, then why has it suddenly become a taboo topic for athletes?

The thing is, proteins like Optimum Nutrition (ON) Gold Standard 100% Whey, ON Platinum Hydro Whey and ON Instantized BCAA 5000 Powder are not exclusive to only body-building aspirants. Anyone and everyone can use them because it not only repairs body damage but also strengthens the immunity and makes the players feel fit.

To conclude, proteins are a crux part of a cricketer’s – or any person, for that matter – diet since it not only sustains lean muscles but also improve the immunity while increasing muscle strength.