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...

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...

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...

Although it's not normally thought of as a “protein-rich” food, there is a fair amount of protein in the humble rice grain. Once it is extracted, the protein can be converted into a high-quality, extremely useful powder. But... why? What are some of the benefits of brown rice protein powder? Let's take a look at ten reason to use rice protein. Easily digested - Very often, people taking protein powders or on a high protein diet struggle with digestive upset. Rice protein powder, however...

For a long time, vegans didn't really have a lot of options when it came to protein. Of course, the omnivorous masses could have just about anything they wanted and the vegetarians could still rely on dairy-based supplements, vegans had a tougher time. Dedicated vegans also have to consider the fact that animal products are sometimes hidden in less obvious places. The entire process, then, was a challenging exercise. Over the past few years, though, the market has been pretty thoroughly sa...

Creatine is, by far, one of the most widely used and studied supplements in the health and fitness world. But, like many other supplements, it's generally not as simple as just picking up some “creatine;” there are many, many options. Without getting into the maze of all the different forms of this supplement on the market, let's just look at two broad categories: liquid and powdered creatine. What are the pros and cons of each? Which should you use? Cost and Convenience First of all, l...

Creatine, for all its popularity, has also been the center of a minor controversy. People have claimed that the widely used supplement is a steroid – complete with the fits of the rage and hair loss – or it causes a host of health problems, including kidney and liver damage. And yet, creatine usage hasn't really slowed down. So, we're left with the question: is creatine safe? Is It A Steroid? Put plainly, there is no connection between steroids and creatine powder. For one thing, they a...