The interest in protein has increased after the launch of Kyäni’s two new nutritional food supplements: HL5 and FIT20. With this growing interest, here are some bits of information to help you understand protein, macronutrients, and supplementation better.
Macronutrients are substances that are needed for our body to function and carry out the different functions of our everyday lives. Breaking down the term into Macro and Nutrients give a good explanation to what it does. Macronutrients are required in our bodies in large quantities, while micronutrients are only required in smaller amounts (these are vitamins, minerals, etc.).
Macronutrients as a source of energy
When looking at food in your cupboard, the nutritional table in the label is quite hard to miss. The label details how a certain portion (in most cases per 100 ml or g) of the food that you are about to consume could provide you with the fuel you need for the day. The sum of the macronutrients corresponds to a unit such as kJ (kilojoule), but the more familiar unit is the kCal or calorie.
These macronutrients are converted into energy units, but these are converted into energy at different rates. Let’s take a look at the different macronutrients and how they are used in the body.
Carbohydrates – provides the main fuel for the body to perform our daily activities with ease. This can be found in grains, dairy, and fruit where starch and sugar are present in large amounts. Some of the carbohydrates that do not end up being converted immediately to energy turn into glycogen that is then stored in our liver and muscles. When the body needs more energy, it uses the stored glycogen as an energy source.
Fat – Though receiving a bad reputation, some fats are considered essential to have a healthy lifestyle. Aside from making food more flavourful, eating fat can provide the body with fatty acids (such as Omega-3s) that cannot be produced by the body itself. Also, fat helps in absorbing fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, etc.) in our body. That is why Sunset is packed with these vitamins: A, D, and E, together with Omega-3 fatty acids, and we recommend consuming Sunset after your evening meal for better absorption.
Going back to source of energy, of the three macronutrients, fat yields the most energy per gram.
Protein – Considered the building blocks of our body, our skin, organs, bones, and even hair are made from protein. As for muscles, protein contributes to the maintenance and a growth of muscle mass.
As mentioned earlier, all three kinds of macronutrients tend to be used as energy by the body. For protein to be used as a building block for the body, carbohydrates are needed as the body tends to use carbohydrates as the primary source of energy before moving on to fat and protein.
This means that despite the common perception today, carbohydrates are still essential for the body. Fat is also important, but it gives out the most energy of the three, and protein helps build our bodies.
Supplementation in meeting our needs
Every person is different in terms of the amount of each macronutrient they require based factors such as body type (height and weight), age, sex, and level of physical activity.
Let’s say that one person consumes a varied diet and a healthy lifestyle. However, due to the physical activity that they do each day, it is a good idea to supplement their protein intake with HL5 or FIT20.
This is where Kyäni’s nutritionals come in, providing you with nutrition that your body requires as you face life’s everyday challenges. Kyäni HL5 and FIT20 are both high in protein. Kyäni HL5 has protein that make up 77% of the total caloric value per serving, while Kyäni FIT20 has protein giving 69% of the caloric value per serving. With the addition of the two new products, Kyäni closes the loop in giving you the macronutrients and micronutrients from the Triangle of Wellness, supporting your Healthy Living Lifestyle.
Get your macronutrients and micronutrients now in our Kyäni Shop!
Sources:
https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/534-macronutrients
https://mynutrition.wsu.edu/nutrition-basics