MYTH - Protein alone can’t build muscle tissue.  It is actually carbohydrate that plays a more important role in muscle production.  Carbohydrate provides an individual with energy to engage in muscle-building activities such as lifting weights or weight-bearing aerobic activity such as running.  When a person engages in weight-bearing activity, muscle fiber open and allow protein to enter, thus building muscle.  It is important to note that loading up on protein is useless.  The human body is not capable of storing protein.  Excess protein will be discarded via urine.  Loading up on protein can put extra stress on the kidneys.

Multiply your weight in kilograms by 0.8 to find out how may grams of protein you require daily.  To find out your body weight in kilograms, divide your weight in pounds by 2.2.