The subject of declining of testosterone levels is a growing conversation and while much can be discussed about the causes, at least part of the decline can be attributed to natural aging. As men approach 30 years old, their testosterone levels begin to decline at about 1% per year. This is a gradual process and while not immediately noticeable, is happening all the same and over time can be felt.
Nitrogen is an essential component of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. When our body is in a state of positive nitrogen balance, it means we are consuming more nitrogen than we are excreting. This surplus of nitrogen allows the body to retain and utilize more protein for various processes, including muscle repair and growth.
Muscle growth occurs when the rate of protein synthesis exceeds the rate of protein breakdown in the body. A positive nitrogen balance provides the necessary foundation for this process by ensuring an abundant supply of amino acids for protein synthesis. When our body has a positive nitrogen balance, it signifies that we have enough dietary protein to support muscle repair and growth.
When it comes to building muscle, most people think of protein first. But did you know that it's not just the protein itself that's important, but the specific amino acids that make up that protein? These amino acids are the building blocks of protein, and some of them are considered "essential" because our bodies can't produce them on their own.
The 9 essential amino acids are: histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine. These amino acids cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained through the diet - with either whole food or supplementation.
