Naked Nutrition International

It seems like the world of health and fitness – especially as far as supplements are concerned – is constantly undergoing a flood of buzzwords. In light of this onslaught, it can be tempting to ignore certain word or phrases that we see attached to specific products. So, when you see things like “pasture-fed” or “grass-fed” on a tub of whey protein, what do you think? Does it actually matter? Feedlots and Pastures Although the idea of the feedlot is most commonly associated with beef pr...

In the minds of many people, being an athlete just inherently means being a voracious carnivore. The truth, though, is that many successful athletes have converted to vegan – or at least vegetarian diets. While some, like Mike Tyson, made the switch after retiring, others are still competing – now fueled entire by plant-based foods. Considering the impressive career of some famous vegan athletes shows the potential of this diet to support athletic performance. Here's a few. Mac Danzig -...

Regardless of how you feel about the taste, spinach is a pretty fantastic vegetable – nutritionally speaking. One cup of the leafy greens is packed with potassium (about 839mg compared to the 539mg in a banana), vitamin K, vitamin A, manganese, folate, copper, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin E, calcium and vitamin C.  And, of course, spinach offers tons of iron. But, lately spinach has also been getting a lot of attention based on its fairly impressive protein content – especially among ve...

Despite its widespread use and popularity, there are still several fairly persistent myths surrounding protein powder. Let's dive right into the research, then, and see what the science says about some of the biggest protein powder myths out there. You can only absorb 30 grams in one sitting - Decades ago, faulty research assumed that because the average person can only absorb 10g of amino acids per hour and the typical bodybuilder ate every three hours, than the human body absorbs about...

For plenty of people, whey protein powder is associated with one thing: bulking. When we see shaker cups, we think of big, muscly bodybuilders chugging gallons of the stuff. In truth, though, this is only part of the picture. It is true that whey protein powder can be a great way to support muscle growth. When used properly, though, whey can also be a powerful weapon against body fat. How exactly does whey help burn fat? This actually happens through several mechanisms. Reduced Appetite...

Let's just start with this: All whey protein powders are not created equal. Manufacturers generally start with low-quality whey, which is then over-processed and finally filled with a host of harmful or unnecessary additives – stuffing the tub with something that only barely resembles the original ingredient. So, when you're selecting a whey protein powder, what should you look for? Grass-fed – The majority of dairy cows in the United States are fed processed grains instead of grass – an ...

Let's just get this out there: Plant based protein powders do not have a great reputation. And it's not because they are seen as somehow harmful or inherently bad, people just tend to think that just because a protein isn't derived from animals in some way, they are of lower quality. In reality, though, this is simply not true. Plant based protein powders actually offer a number of benefits – some of which are unique to this group, others are shared with more traditional animal proteins. T...

Yes, everybody needs plenty of protein. This macronutrient does, after all, contain the amino acids that basically run every function in our body. And, of course, protein makes up muscle. And muscle is important for oh so many reasons. For vegan athletes, however, getting adequate levels of protein to support your goals and training can be a real challenge. Not only do you have greater protein requirements because of your increased activity level but you also have to meet these requirement...

Plant-based proteins, unfortunately, don't have a great a reputation. And this is really pretty unfair. Most people, however, are under the impression that animal proteins are just automatically superior. The truth, though, is that vegan protein powders have some very distinct benefits that many aren't aware of. Here are (in no particular order) just 10 surprising facts about the under-appreciated group of plant-based, vegan protein powders. Complete Proteins – One of the primary reason...

Generally, when people look at the nutrition and ingredient information on a tub of whey protein, they're pretty much concerned with once thing: the protein content. And, really, this makes sense. After all, it is a protein supplement. Knowing this, manufacturers do all they can to up the concentration of that all-important macronutrient in hopes of attracting and keeping customers. There's a pretty significant problem with this approach, though. Whey is about much more than protein. Or, a...