As we are ensnared in a global health pandemic that has changed the world in ways we could never have imagined, we must go down to basics and be mindful of how we live out our everyday lives. Hygiene, proper handwashing and social distancing have become the norm in our quest to survive the onslaught of the year 2020.
Face masks, sanitizers, disinfectants and vitamin C have become anti-Covid essentials as we jostle to keep infection at bay.
An important but glossed over aspect of staying infection free is the need to keep our immune systems healthy through a balanced diet. A strong immune system may spell the difference between staying healthy and catching an infection. We’ve always been reminded to eat our fruits and vegetables as part of a healthy, balanced diet. We’re well aware that fruits and leafy greens which provide our bodies with various vitamins and nutrients that can aid our immune system.
It is also important to consider getting adequate amounts of protein in our bodies. While the recommended daily amount of protein per day may vary slightly from one expert to the other, the figure rests somewhere between 1 gram of protein per pound of bodyweight for most individuals. If for instance you weigh 150 lbs, you should ideally be getting 150 grams of protein on a daily basis. Leading sources of protein are meat, fish, eggs, dairy, nuts, soy, and legumes. A medium-sized egg has around 5 grams of protein while one chicken breast contains 30 grams of protein.
As it may sometimes be difficult to take in all your protein needs from whole food sources, supplementing with whey protein powder might be a convenient option. One scoop of whey protein may contain anywhere between 20 grams to 30 grams of protein per scoop (Muscletech and Rule1 are excellent choices).
Inadequate protein intake may weaken the immune system, slow recovery from sickness and lead to a reduction in lean muscle mass. Thus, it is imperative to make sure we do not leave out protein in the immune system equation. Amino acids that are present in protein power our cells to be healthy, enabling them to keep our immune system in optimal condition.
Being rich in the amino acids cysteine and methionine, whey protein has strong antioxidant properties as both amino acids facilitate the production of glutathione. This forms the centerpiece of the body’s anti-oxidant defense system, protecting against free radical damage and infection.
As glutathione levels decrease with age and illness, supplementing with whey protein should be considered for the elderly and that recovering from sickness as it has the unique capacity to increase beneficial glutathione that promotes a stronger immune system.
Apart from helping build lean muscle mass for bodybuilders and fitness buffs, whey protein shakes also provide benefits for ordinary folk who don’t work out by way of helping boost the immune system and serving as an added layer of protection against various diseases.