Unit 12 - Specialist study in creative media production

                                          Why Protein Powder is a Scam

                                                  Denis Gabriel

 

 

The human body is a complex system that is composed of multiple interconnected structures and processes that are important to sustain life. There are trillions of cells with each having specific roles in the human body, these cells perform necessary functions such as growth, movement, metabolism, and reproduction.

 

The body is also built around multiple important systems such as the skeletal system which is important for structure and support of the human body, the circulatory system which is essential for supplying the body with nutrients and oxygenated blood, the respiratory system which is responsible for facilitating breathing, and the digestive system which is responsible for processing food and converting it into energy for the human body. Additionally, the endocrine and the nervous system help the body react to certain stimuli and coordinate bodily functions.

 

The human body can also adapt to various stimuli through the process of adaptation, especially muscle adaptation, in which can be achieved with consistent weightlifting that leads to muscle hypertrophy as a way of muscles adapting to the increased load. However, diet has been proven to be the main factor for muscle growth and development, having a well-balanced diet according to the amount of activity performed is a curtail part for muscle development.

 

 

The supplement industry has grown over the last 30 years and has sold to people the idea that such supplements can make you successful at achieving your dream body or any dream physical goal

 

But that’s simply not the case, it has] been proven that food is the key contributor to muscle development, protein that comes from actual food sources such as animal products or plant products.

 

A Harvard study on nutrition says that nutrition is about having a balanced diet that can fuel your body with all the nutrients that it needs to sustain brain, muscle, bone, nerves, skin, blood circulation, and immune system. Nutrition also helps protect the body from heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and osteoporosis.

 

Food contains two main categories of nutrients: macronutrients and micronutrients. Macronutrients include carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, which provide energy in the form of calories and play a crucial role in building and maintaining muscles and tissues.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Replacing meals with protein powders can significantly impact your health for the worse as it can lead to digestive issues and unhealthy weight gain or loss if done for a prolonged time.

 

Not to mention that protein powders set unrealistic expectations, they are not something to constantly rely on for weight loss or muscle gain. Protein powders are best used as a supplement to a balanced diet but is not often necessary if you already have a balanced diet.

 

 

The UK Protein Powder Market

 

The protein powder market is growing rapidly around the world, especially in the UK. It has seen a significant growth in recent years, this was achieved by the rise of popularity in fitness regimes.

 

 

According to a report, the protein powder market is valued at £500 million in 2022, and it’s estimated to grow at an annual rate of (CAGR) of 7.5% from 2023 to 2028. This demand for protein powders is not just for bodybuilders or athletes; its demographic has expanded and is available for those looking to maintain a healthy lifestyle such as older adults.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This statistic shows the total sales value for protein concentrates and flavoured or coloured sugar syrups manufactured in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2008 to 2023. In 2023 the sales value of protein concentrates surpassed 528 million British pounds.

 

 

 

Many people replace their meals with protein powders, this is commonly done through shakes as a convenient way to increase protein intake while also lowering the number of calories within the meal. While protein shakes can be a great way to increase protein intake, those meals lack any form of nutrients that are normally found in whole foods. Constantly relying on protein shakes can lead to deficiencies in vitamins, minerals and fibre.

 

 

 

There are many different types of protein powder each made from different ingredients such as, soy, pea, and rice protein, with each having different characteristics and benefits that suit different people’s dietary choice that range from omnivore to vegan ingredients.

 

 

Protein powders has been proven to be an unhealthy dietary choice that are chosen by many people in the UK who are aiming to reach physical goals whether it’s to build muscle or for any physical achievement like leading a healthy lifestyle. 

 

However, people do not realise the downsides of consuming protein powder which is causing a major problem. Serious health problems can occur if consumed for a prolonged time and with fitness influencers from across all social media platforms advocating the importance of protein.

 

 

Carbohydrates from actual food and hydration have been proven to increase the volume and growth of muscles, but many fitness influencers do not advocate carbohydrates and hydration because they cannot sell water to their viewers as much as they can do with protein powder.

 

 

 

According to Samsung Food, a study has been done which noticed a visual change in muscle thickness by 4.9% after a high carbohydrate meal for a time of 6 weeks. This is because muscles get depleted of glycogen and so providing a high carbohydrate meal before and after the gym can make sure you replenish your glycogen.

 

 

 

Proper Nutrition paired with Proper Workout plan

 

But having a proper nutrition is nothing without proper training unless your goal is to lose weight. For those seeking to build lean full muscle, weightlifting and resistance training is important to stimulate muscle growth and adaptation.

 

 

I’ve looked at professional bodybuilder and fitness author Mike Mentzer and have researched his most effective workout plan that can be paired with his diet without the usages of protein powder. In fact, Mike Mentzer himself stated that protein powders are excessive and unnecessary for muscle adaptation and growth which in return will result in fat gain as the excess amount will be turned into calories.

 

 

His workout plan and diet are targeted towards people who do not take any performance enhancing drugs in which can be used to speed up recovery.

 

Mike Mentzer’s died consist of 60% carbohydrates from whole grain foods, 25% protein from meat fish and poultry and 15% fat from avocados butters and nuts. Most of his food came from whole foods and did not consume any form of protein powder.

 

 

 

Mentzer prescribed low-volume workout to be performed to as little as one or two sets per body part every to weeks. Now of course you do not have to train as little as he did, but he did prove a point that spending hours at the gym everyday will result in little to no muscle mass adaptation.

 

A regular workout split would do just fine if you provide your body with enough rest typically 4-7 days rest per body part.

 

 

What I will make 

To help people get the right idea about health and fitness, I will create a magazine in which I discuss and present the proper way to build muscle while staying healthy without the usages of protein powder. I might consider a podcast in which I will invite people to state their opinion on protein powder and hopefully also try to educate them that body goals can be achieved without the need of powder form supplements. I will also make some posters that promotes healthy alternatives for body goals.

 

I believe that these products can have a significant impact on peoples perspectives on health and fitness and I also believe that some people will implement some of the knowledge within my products provided via online and offline.

 

 

 

 

Conclusion

Although protein powder can be used in moderation to help users achieve their daily protein intake, protein powder should not be used as a substitute for meals as the body will not benefit from doing so. Protein intake along with the other main macronutrients should come from whole food sources and not in powdered form. Wholefood sources can lead to positive visual changes which can support a healthy lifestyle[