SUPPLEMENT SPOTLIGHT

Although most famous for building lean muscle mass, protein is so much more. Protein is responsible for a lot of the work that goes on inside your cells since protein is also a critical component of hormones, enzymes, and other chemicals you produce to live and function normally. It even plays a role in your immune system and digesting your food.  It’s also the only macronutrient with a minimum daily requirement for health - and even this amount is widely debated as too little or not enough for some. 

Protein powders are nutritional supplements that may help build muscle, repair tissue, and make enzymes and hormones. Using protein powder may also aid weight loss and help people tone their muscles.

Here are 5 health benefits of whey protein that are supported by actual science.

Whey Protein May Reduce Inflammation

• Anyone who pushes their fitness level to the limit understands that inflammation is part of the body's normal response to damage. Short-term inflammation can be beneficial, but inflammation can also become chronic. Studies show that ingesting high doses of whey protein reduces a key marker of inflammation (C-reactive protein) in people experiencing chronic inflammation.

Muscles Love Whey Protein

• Whether you are at your peak fitness level or battling to maintain, age naturally causes a decline in muscle mass. High-quality protein, such as whey protein, contain a branched chain amino acid called leucine which is the most anabolic (growth promoting) of all the amino acids. Whey protein not only prevents muscle loss associated with aging, but it also improves strength and tone.

 Whey Protein Helps Lower Blood Pressure

• Chronic high blood pressure commonly leads to heart disease. Studies have shown lactokinins are the ACE-inhibitors found in whey protein that when consumed on a daily basis, tends to reduce blood pressure in people who experience high blood pressure.

 Whey Protein Moderates Blood Sugar Levels

• Research conducted by the National Institutes of Health determined that whey protein is effective at moderating blood sugar. The high-quality protein increases insulin levels in the blood and normalizes the effectiveness of insulin in the body. 

Lose Weight with Whey Protein 

• The positive role of dietary protein, like whey, has been established as a contributor to weight loss in several studies conducted by the National Institutes for Health. Whey protein outperforms other proteins when it comes to fat loss by boosting metabolism, maintaining muscle mass, and suppressing appetite.

The minimum daily requirement for most adults is somewhere in the range of 0.25 to 0.5 grams of dietary protein per pound of body weight. Some argue this amount of protein is still too low to reap the potential benefits of this nutrient and we should instead be striving for closer to 0.5 to 1 gram of dietary protein per pound of body weight.

To ensure you get Fury member pricing (35% off all retail prices) from Thorne, email jordan@crossfitfury.com to be added to the client list. When purchased through Momentous, use code CFFURY20

MEDICAL MINUTE

Today most people only see their health care provider when they’re already sick. By that point, you’re already feeling unwell, your provider might not even be available, and their response is focused on reacting only to you immediate symptoms. Rather than a “healthcare” system, it’s a “sick” care system. Healthcare, as we know it, is backwards. It’s a system where a single stitch might run you $500 and where understanding insurance payments require a degree and a dictionary.

The American healthcare system is one of the world’s most expensive, yet health outcomes frequently are no better than other developed nations. Why is this happening? Currently, the health care system is based on a reactive approach to illness. We wait until people are sick before we treat them and focus on symptoms and disease treatment, rather than proactively addressing their overall health and wellbeing. This is referred to as a “sick care” mindset. While this seems like an appropriate way to approach your health, it’s no longer working for today’s climate of illness and disease.

Chronic diseases and conditions are on the rise worldwide due to an aging population and changes in societal behaviors. According to the CDC, 6 in 10 adults in the US have a chronic disease and 4 in 10 adults have two or more. The sick care mindset is causing unnecessary pressures on our health care system because we’re dealing with illnesses that have advanced to a critical state, rather than managing them in the early stages or even preventing them. We need to shift our mindset from ‘sick care’ to ‘health care’. The concept of proactive and preventative health is not new. We see this successfully implemented in dental care. Proactive health initiatives encourage patients to take their health in their own hands, allowing providers to work together with patients to address health problems before they advance.

In both medical school education and in-office education, future and current physicians spend a minuscule amount of time on how lifestyle components (such as nutrition, exercise, and mental health) affect physical health and disease prevention. In fact, during four years of medical school, most students spend fewer than 20 hours on nutrition and even less on understanding the benefits of exercise— lifestyle components that their patients make choices around dozens of times each week. With limited education, providers aren’t prepared to talk to their patients about nutrition or exercise, so many avoid the subject altogether in favor of medications to treat the symptoms of disease.

And if you are lucky enough to get a provider who offers lifestyle advice in your appointments, the advice is often vague and not specific for you. Sure, one should “eat healthfully and work out,” but what does that actually mean to each individual patient? Gone are the days when health care providers have a personal relationship with their patients, built on years of trust and continued visits.

So what are the solutions?

‍By being a part of the CrossFit Fury family you are off to great start. Regular exercise that includes lifting weights has significant positive effects on metabolism, longevity, and overall health. Next, finding a nutritional plan that works for you and allows you to get adequate protein and other essential nutrients while avoiding processed foods is key. “Eat meat and vegetables, nuts and seeds, some fruit, little starch, and no sugar. Keep intake to levels that will support exercise but not body fat.” Focus on other important aspects of wellness which include adequate sleep, attention to your emotional needs, and an attitude of gratitude. Surround yourself with people who lift you up and inspire you. And lastly find healthcare providers and wellness professions who will help you do the work of optimizing your health instead of just putting out fires. Prioritizing your health isn't an expense but a smart, long-term investment that pays dividends to both you and your family.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Mark your calendars for these upcoming events! All details are available at the front desk and on our website.

Revive & Repeat Competition - September 14

Fury Christmas Party - December 7

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS

Erin Divis 9/15

Diana Hernandez 9/16

Maria Edelstein 9/18

Ashley Driscol 9/20

Jesus Sanchez 9/20

Morgan Mcclure 9/21

Christie Golderos 9/21

Nicolette Hawthorne 9/22

Alessandra Munoz 9/22

Erik Shallbetter 9/25

Jeff Castro 9/26

Jennifer Treguboff 9/30

Jordan Leonard 9/30

Have a supplement you would like to know more about? Is there a wellness question or topic you are wishing you knew more about? Have a topic about fitness, wellness, or health or a favorite recipe that you want to share with the community?