Are protein powders any good?

Hi Dan,

Protein powders aren't magic but they are a convenient source of low-fat, low-carb protein. Research has been growing for over 10 years to show that higher protein intakes (especially at the expense of carbs) lead to the greatest body fat loss because protein curbs appetite, increases metabolic rate and preserves muscle when dieting better than carbs or fat.

Also, compared to most other high-protein foods, protein powders have much less fat, saturated fat and calories. Additionally, you can mix up a protein shake in 30 seconds, any other food you can prepare that quickly is probably going to be unhealthy snack food.

Finally, if you're talking about whey protein, it has been shown in studies to extend the lifespan of lab animals, help metabolize several toxins, increase levels of the body's most powerful antioxidant and work better for fat loss and muscle gains than other proteins.

So anyone who says protein powders don't have advantages in convenience, health and muscle building and repair, probably isn't familiar with the hundreds of published scientific studies on this topic.