Why you need to consider hydrolyzed proteins in your diet

Even among those who are into fitness supplements, hydrolyzed proteins a.k.a. protein hydrolysates is a term few may be very familiar with. That is sad really because hydrolyzed proteins actually offer quite a few benefits over traditional protein supplements.

What does Hydrolyzed proteins even mean?

In essence, a hydrolyzed protein is a protein that has been been broken down from its typically large size by adding proteolytic enzymes, resulting in it breaking down into its smaller building blocks, amino acids.

How does that help?

This smaller version of the parent protein allows for faster and greater delivery from your intestine (after eating) to your muscles, reducing the role of the 'border patrol' liver to steal certain amino acids before they reach the muscle. Thus, more product reaches the destination.

What are the other benefits of hydrolyzed protein?

The higher insulinotropic effect ensures you have a higher production of insulin. This helps speeden the recovery process after a workout by replenishing glycogen in your body. 

Replacing regular protein supplements with protein hydrolysates is a good option for the elderly suffering from protein deficiencies too as the latter speeds up protein intake and absorption in the body.

While those in the USA can choose from ample options, including the vegan Power Life High Impact Plant Protein, in India, the only brand presently offering hydrolyzed proteins is Protinex which in addition to having zero trans-fats is also a 100% vegetarian product to boot, making it an excellent supplement during workouts. They offer India not just a variety in flavours (original, vanilla, elaichi and chocolate) but also cater to specific groups such as diabetics and pregnant women. 

Of course, as nutritionist and health writer Kavita Devgan pointed out, its benefits extend beyond the gymnasium.

Most of our sources of protein - egg, chicken, fish and pulses - contain intact proteins and so take longer to get absorbed, losing key amino acids along the way. Using these supplements along with our natural diet helps avoid facing the key problems of protein deficiency.

Is protein deficiency a big deal in India?

As per studies published in 2017, around 73 % of Indian diets are protein deficient with the numbers rising to 84 % for vegetarian diets. Metros and tier two cities are not exempt from this with Lucknow having a massive 90 % deficiency and Chennai  up to 84 %.    

Dr Nandan Joshi, the Head of Nutritional Science and Medical Affairs of Danone pointed out the sad truth that while proteins are one of the key nutrients for our survival, awareness of the right food groups containing it and the problems related to deficiency of proteins is extremely poor in India. Worse still are the misconceptions that come with it with nearly 73% thinking green leafy vegetables are an excellent source of proteins. In the study, over 93 % of respondents were not aware of their ideal protein requirement.

What is my ideal protein requirement?

As part of the initiative to educate the public about protein deficiency, Protinex launched the Protein Calculator in February 2018, unveiled by the captain of the World Cup winning Under 19 cricket team, Prithvi Shaw.

An easy guide for you to remember your protein requirement is to note that under normal circumstances, you need at least 0.75 to 1 gram of protein per kilogram body weight. 

Take-away message

While it is important to dispel myths about protein deficiency, it is also necessary to take corrective measures and add the right supplements to one's diet. With over sixty years in the market, Protinex is a trusted brand that offers a good solution via their hydrolyzed proteins to not just help regain muscle mass but also make up for loss of proteins as would normally occur with a regular Indian diet.