Why is protein important in my diet?

Quality protein is an essential part of everyone's diet, especially those with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Whether you choose animal-protein or plant-based options like beans, nuts, seeds, etc, this macronutrient is essential for your body to grow, repair, and maintain itself. So, let's discuss a few benefits of protein: 1) It can help with insulin sensitivity! Did you know that 60-70% of women diagnosed with PCOS has insulin resistance? That simply means that your body doesn't balance the blood sugars right. Normally insulin works to counteract the glucose (sugar) in your body. But when someone has insulin resistance the sugar usually stays in the blood instead of going into your body's cells. Because of this, the body makes even MORE insulin which can lead to increased sugar and insulin in the blood. Over time, this can lead to weight gain or type 2 diabetes. Eating a higher protein diet helps to decrease that resistance and help your body process everything as it's intended. 2) Protein can help keep you feeling full! Did you know that feeling full comes from hormones such as peptide YY (PYY) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)? Eating high protein meals can stimulate both PYY and GLP-1 which promotes feelings of fullness by working on the brain's appetite center. This is important when you're wanting to work on weight management, metabolic health, and/or appetite control to quit that snacking! 3) Improved muscle mass Upping your protein content supports building and maintaining muscle mass. When you have more muscle, your body has a higher metabolism. A higher metabolism means you will burn more calories at rest, helping you with losing weight. More muscle mass can also help with that blood sugar regulation and can improve some of the symptoms of PCOS like hormonal imbalance. 4) More protein = better weight management Protein has a higher thermic effect of food compared to fats and carbohydrates which can benefit weight loss efforts over time by burning more calories . Carbohydrates, especially refined like white bread, tend to spike blood sugars, cause inflammation, and lack essential nutrients. Protein helps support you in your weight loss goals by reducing your cravings, maintaining your muscle mass, and improving your intake of vitamins and minerals (depending on your protein type). 5) Hormone Balance is better with protein! Since protein can help with insulin resistance, this will also assist with lowering cortisol (stress), regulating estrogen/testosterone, and support healthy thyroid hormones too! Insulin itself has been said to be the "master hormone" because it is the key to several metabolic processes in the body as well as specific hormones mentioned above. #PCOSsupport #highprotein #elevatept #elevatepelvichealth #wellnessjourney #holistichealth #allnaturalapproach #healthylifestyle #nutritionmatters #balanceddiet #proteinintake #hormonalbalance #healthyeating #womenshealth #pelvichealthPT #PCOS #PCOSawareness #nutritionforPCOS References: Yu, Zhangping, et al. "Effects of high-protein diet on glycemic control, insulin resistance and blood pressure in type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials." Clinical Nutrition 39.6 (2020): 1724-1734. van der Klaauw, Agatha A., et al. "High protein intake stimulates postprandial GLP1 and PYY release." Obesity 21.8 (2013): 1602-1607. Sørensen, Lone B., et al. "Effects of increased dietary protein-to-carbohydrate ratios in women with polycystic ovary syndrome." The American journal of clinical nutrition 95.1 (2012): 39-48. Halton, Thomas L., and Frank B. Hu. "The effects of high protein diets on thermogenesis, satiety and weight loss: a critical review." Journal of the American college of nutrition 23.5 (2004): 373-385.