Does Protein Build Muscle? The Key Role That Protein Plays in Your Body

Though it is true that you build muscles through exercise, this is only a very small part of a much larger process that goes inside your bodies as you do your resistance training. The key to this whole process of bodybuilding is the role that proteins play in it. I will touch on the importance of protein in this brief article, and answer the common question, "Does protein build muscle?"

Protein does build muscle or at least plays an integral part in it. A better understanding of how protein does its job in building muscle can give bodybuilders and anyone looking to improve their physique, a new insight on how they can go about effectively with their muscle building program. First of all, proteins, just like carbohydrates, are considered as macronutrients meaning they are needed in large amounts by the body. While carbohydrates act as the body's primary source of energy and thus should have constant supply, proteins have a variety of important roles ranging from repair of cells to being components of certain body parts and should equally be present in the right amounts in the body.

The main interest to bodybuilders of course is the question - does protein build muscle - and this can be answered simply by two of the roles played by proteins, as players in the building and repair of tissues and as a building block of bones, muscles, skin, and blood. So as you can see protein builds more than just muscle.

When you do muscle building exercises such as lifting weights, or body weight exercises such as pushups, pull-ups, and dips, for example; your muscles are stressed to the point that they break down to the cellular level thus breaking your muscle fibers as well. Since proteins are involved in the repair and recovery of tissues, they are extremely needed during the time that you rest and your muscles begin the recovery process resulting in thicker muscle fibers. Also, amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins, are responsible for growth and recovery and prevention of muscle breakdown so most likely when proteins get digested in your body they will come out as these basic components.

The harder you workout, the more your muscles breakdown, so similarly, you need more rest and a steady supply of protein to allow your muscles to repair and grow. The important part to remember is that you need progressive resistance in order to trigger this muscle growth. Once muscle growth is triggered, you then need an adequate supply of protein to accomplish this growth. This doesn't mean however that you have to eat an excess amount of protein each day, as some supplement companies suggest. You should try and get around a gram of protein per pound of bodyweight per day, if your goal is to build muscle, and some experts even suggest less than that. The key here is to try different amounts and see how your body responds. Once you know how your body reacts to different amounts, you can make the most progress without eating too much or too little. So the next time someone asks you, "does protein build muscle?" you will now know what to say.


Kelly has been working out with weights for over 25 years and knows what works and what doesn't. He is in the best shape of his life at 41 and maintains a lean, muscular body year around. The fitness and dieting industry try to make getting in shape more difficult than it really is, so they can sell you the diet of the week or the newest magic pill that never works!

If you would like to finally leave all of the hype and lies behind and learn the real way to lose weight, build muscle, and get the body that you deserve, check out his blog at http://fitnessoverhaul.com.

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