Is It Necessary To Take Protein Supplements? What Experts Say

Protein-rich foods are important part of a healthy balanced diet. If you are someone who exercises regularly and is doing weight training, then protein-rich foods are of even more importance. They are macronutrients which help in building muscle mass and boost metabolism. If you are trying to lose weight, then proteins must be a part of your diet because they help in reducing appetite hunger levels, thus reducing overall calorie intake. However, the amount of protein that is necessary for you in a day may not be entirely obtained from diet.

This is especially true for body builders and even weight watchers at times. Over and above their diet, they often take protein powders and other protein supplements in order to increase their protein intake.

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Is it necessary to take protein supplements? Expert opinion

Experts seem to have a mixed bag of opinions when it comes to taking nutrition supplements. Celeb fitness trainer Kayla Itsines recently took to Instagram to talk about protein supplements.

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Itsines believes that one needn't take protein supplements and optimum protein can be obtained by eating a healthy balanced diet. "many of you ladies ask me whether it's necessary to take high protein food supplements when you're training. i personally don't take supplements and i would never say that they are necessary... it is definitely possible to get all the protein you need by eating a healthy, balanced diet," she writes in the caption of her post.

She is right to point out that there are protein-rich foods which you can eat daily in order to increase your protein intake. Options include chicken, eggs, fish like tuna and salmon, milk and milk products, nuts and seeds and soy products are all foods that are a rich source of protein.

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"If you feel like you are not getting enough protein from your diet, or you feel that you need a protein supplement, I would recommend speaking to your healthcare professional for more advice, and remember to never use supplements to replace whole foods in your diet," she recommends.

Lifestyle coach Luke Coutinho recommends including some protein-rich foods in every meal in order to increase your protein intake. For example, you can have a small bowl of nuts and seeds with your regular meals, or you can have an egg with every meal.

Eggs are an excellent source of protein
Photo Credit: iStock

Celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar is of the belief that taking supplements is important for our overall health and well-being. In her book Don't Lose Your Mind Lose Your Weight, Diwekar mentions that even if we consume a balanced diet, we need supplements because our lifestyles are poor, sedentary with a lot of stress.

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We all are also exposed to tremendous levels pollution, which can deplete the body's capacity of fighting damage caused by free radicals. Taking supplements can help improve the body's ability to fight off common and chronic infections, she writes in her book. Read here to know more on why you need supplements.

(Rujuta Diwekar is a nutritionist based in Mumbai)

(Luke Coutinho, Holistic Lifestyle Coach - Integrative Medicine)

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.