Dieting: The Facts about Fats and Protein
  Herbalife

     By David Heber, M.D., Ph.D.  

It seems everywhere we look, someone is promoting a new diet that praises the power of protein. But whether you want to lose, gain, or maintain your current weight, the importance of protein goes far beyond physical appearance and muscle building. 

A necessity for every body 

Protein is an important component of every cell in the body. It is an organic compound, composed of 22 amino acids, otherwise known as the building blocks of life. Protein is stored in muscles and organs and the body utilizes it to build and repair tissues, as well as for the production of enzymes and hormones. Proteins also make it possible for blood to carry oxygen throughout the body. Along with fat and carbohydrates, protein is a "macronutrient," meaning the body needs relatively large amounts of it. The Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences has concluded that our daily protein requirements should be 10% to 35% of our total caloric intake, with men needing slightly more than women. A lack of protein can cause loss of muscle mass, decreased immunity, as well as weakening of the heart and respiratory system. 

How protein affects your weight 

The widespread popularity of high-protein diets is due in large part to their ability to help manage hunger. When protein is absorbed, it sends a signal to the brain to decrease your hunger. Another benefit of protein is that it raises your resting metabolism by maintaining muscle mass. As we age, muscle mass decreases without exercise, so staying fit is a key to burning fat by keeping your metabolism high. Protein also leads to a much less rapid rise and fall of blood sugar and insulin, so you avoid the "sugar highs and lows" after eating sweets without adequate protein. Certain foods, however, provide a healthier resource for protein than others. 

Consider the source 

You can obtain healthy sources of protein without high levels of saturated fat. For example, soybeans, nuts and whole grains provide protein without much saturated fat and offer plenty of healthful fiber and micronutrients as well. If you’re looking for yet another great way to obtain healthy protein, vegetable sources of protein found in Herbalife’s Formula 1, are high-quality and have lower calorie levels with virtually no added fat. Herbalife products personalize your daily protein intake to match your body’s needs. With a variety of shakes and snacks, the ShapeWorks® program helps you build or maintain lean muscle while providing healthy weight management support. 

Now that you’ve increased your knowledge of protein, you can effectively enhance your diet and allow good health to take shape.

David Heber, M.D., P.h.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.N.
Chairman of the Herbalife Medical and Scientific Advisory Boards
Below, Dr. David Heber answers questions about losing weight.

Q: How does protein help someone lose fat tissue instead of lean tissue?
A:  By eating enough protein to maintain your lean tissue while losing fat, you keep your metabolism revved up. Every pound of lean tissue burns 14 calories per day compared to only about three calories burned for each pound of fat per day. So keeping the lean and losing the fat helps you burn more calories at rest. This is also called the resting metabolic rate or metabolism for short.

Q: How does metabolism influence weight-loss?
A: Whenever you eat more calories than you burn through exercise and through your metabolism at rest, you will store the extra as fat. So having a higher metabolism can help you maintain your weight by balancing calories in and calories out. Exercises that strengthen your muscles improve your ability to burn calories at rest.

Q: What are the benefits of plant-based protein, or soy?
A: Soy protein naturally has a different composition than animal proteins that makes it healthier for your blood vessels, bones and kidneys than animal protein. Soy protein also has isoflavones, which together with soy protein as found in Formula 1, has an FDA-approved heart-health claim. That is why you see a heart on the label.

They're easy, fast, tasty and most of all, nutritious! Hear from Dr. David Heber about why ShapeWorks® Formula 1 shakes are a healthy meal.  

Q: What are the components that make Formula 1 a healthy, satisfying meal?
A: Formula 1 provides high quality soy protein, healthy carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, amino acids and other nutrients to provide the cells of your body what they need for optimum health. You will be able to tell the difference from your usual breakfast after the very first shake.

Q: Is the soy protein in Formula 1 beneficial to both men and women?
A: Yes, the soy protein in Formula 1 is definitely beneficial for both men and women. Numerous scientific studies demonstrate the benefits of soy protein for heart health when included as part of a healthy, low-fat diet, which is why Formula 1 has a healthy heart symbol on every label (except Tropical Fruit flavor, which contains less soy).

Q: How can one product, Formula 1, be ideal for both weight loss and weight maintenance?
A: Research shows that drinking two shakes a day and eating one healthy meal will lead to weight loss, while having one shake a day will keep the weight off for years. Formula 1 is the ideal meal for everyone, whether they want to lose weight, keep off the weight they have lost or just maintain their naturally healthy weight.

Q: If I'm lactose intolerant, can I use soy milk to make a shake?
A: Yes, simply add soy milk to Formula 1 and you should have no problem. By the way, most humans are lactose intolerant to some degree. You lose nothing when you substitute soy milk for dairy milk from a health standpoint. 

All material and information provided by Herbalife.