Anyone who's ever been to the gym has heard someone ask, "Do you even lift, bro?" An equally important yet less frequently asked question is, "Do you even drink protein powder within 30 minutes of lifting, bro?" That's because it takes more than curls and dumbbells to make gains and get swoll! You need a protein supplement to facilitate muscle growth and recovery.

Not just any type of protein will do! You need high-quality protein that will suit your needs, body type, and lifestyle. That's why Gainful is the best place to get protein powder! Are you a vegan looking to increase muscle mass who loves chocolate? No problem! Gainful's got you covered. Just take their quiz to receive your personalized blend with zero cost delivery. Plus, you get unlimited access to your very own registered dietitian! After reading this primer on the protein you're going to find yourself asking, "Do you even Gainful, bro?"

Why you need protein.

The way you build muscle is by triggering muscle hypertrophy, which is the process by which muscle mass is increased. When you lift weights you trigger hypertrophy by creating micro-tears in your muscles that are then repaired during the recovery process, making you bigger and stronger (like The Hulk, who is actually a bad example because he made his gains with Gamma Radiation. So more like Hulk Hogan, who is also a bad example because he's racist. Man, hard to be a Hulk these days! #TimesUp).

So, it's not enough to do the best new fitness workout for summer. You also need to consume a complete protein powder (meaning one with all nine essential amino acids), to help your body make those repairs. Not all protein powder is created equal, though. It's important to know what's in your protein powder because, as reported by Harvard Health, the hidden dangers of protein powder are, "added sugar, calories, or even toxic chemicals." That's why Gainful is the best place to get protein powder: they tell you the exact ingredients and ratios of what's in your protein. That's done not just to better suit your needs, but to also keep you informed and in control.

Milk is the most common source of protein.

Most protein powders are derived from milk. There are two different types of protein in milk: casein and whey. The two can be separated and are both digested differently. Furthermore, there are three different primary forms of whey protein. Whey protein concentrate has little fat and carbohydrates, and its protein content ranges from 30 to 90 percent; whey protein isolate has no fat or carbs, and it's usually 90 percent protein; and whey protein hydrolysate, which has already undergone some hydrolysis, the process necessary for protein absorption. This may seem like a lot to take in, but you don't have to worry about making the wrong choice when using Gainful. Their quiz will generate the blend that's ideal for you! Whey protein isolate, for example, would be great for someone who's doing the low-carb ketogenic diet or someone who's lactose intolerant.

Casein protein is absorbed much more slowly than whey, so it's recommended to have your casein protein shake before bedtime so that it's absorbed overnight. Sleep is very important for recovery in and of itself, but when you combine it with casein protein it's a double-whammy of muscle growth goodness. Casein also slows muscle breakdown while facilitating muscle growth, so instead of counting sheep before bed, you can count gains and reps (or doing reps with sheep, which would be three sets of six to 12 sheep curls with 60 seconds of rest in between).

There are many protein sources.

"Moo moo," goes the cow! But all the other sources of protein don't say a thing because they're plant-based. Pea, hemp, pumpkin seed, brown rice, sunflower seed, sacha inchi seed, chia, and soy protein are all options. Often times, vegan/vegetarian protein powders are plant blends to increase nutritional benefit and compensate for the shortcomings of particular sources. Pea protein, for example, is low in methionine, an essential amino acid, but it's high in branched-chain amino acids (BCAA), which provide energy for muscles and stimulate muscle production. Gainful will provide you with the right plant blend so that you get everything you want or need (except for the end of factory farming. Gainful may be the best place to get protein powder, but that's just outside the scope of its powers)

Everyone has to take a different amount of protein.

U.S. News and World Report asked the question, "How Much Protein Do You Really Need?" The answer was complicated! The bare minimum is .36 grams of protein per pound of body fat, but it's recommended that 10 to 35% of one's daily caloric intake come from protein. For those hoping to increase muscle mass, the suggested range is .5 to .8 grams of protein per pound of body weight. That's a lot of numbers to keep track of! So, it's good news that Gainful is there to do the heavy lifting (of grams of protein; not of weights. Gainful can't actually go to the gym in your place!). There are concerns that too much protein is bad for you, but, as Dr. Donald K. Layman professor emeritus of food science and human nutrition at the University of Illinois told U.S. News and World Report, "The only evidence that protein can be harmful to the kidneys is in people who already have kidney issues.

You can use protein powder to help you with the ketogenic diet.

The ketogenic diet is all the rage these days. How it works is that you reduce the percentage of your daily caloric intake that's comprised of carbs to 5%. At that point, your body will stop turning those carbs into glucose, which it was previously using as its primary source of energy, and the liver will begin to make ketone bodies, which will then fuel the body. This leads to accelerated weight loss because the body is using its own fat to create energy. Additionally, you experience elevated mood, focus, and energy because ketones are a more consistent source of energy than glucose. That means no more sugar crashes, mood swings, irritability, or lethargy.

When you learn how to avoid the emotional pitfalls of weight loss, you discover that beating yourself up for mistakes makes it harder to stick to a lifestyle change. Keto presents ample opportunity to eat the wrong thing, which is why it's so smart to use Gainful. By providing you with an accessible, healthy source of protein, you can avoid many of the obstacles to staying in ketosis, like limited snack options, while also reaping whey casein benefits like reduced appetite.

Protein is important for older adults.

As people grow older, they are likely to experience more illness and require more medical care. These types of stressors make it harder for the body to digest protein. And protein intake is particularly important when you're older to maintain muscle mass, not lose strength, bone health, and other basic functions. For a plethora of reasons that range from reduced appetite to budgetary concerns, many older adults fail to get enough protein. It's good news then, that Gainful lets users choose the flavor of their protein shakes, that it only costs $1.50 per serving, and that deliveries come right to your door. That's what makes it the best place to get protein powder. Nothing beats affordable easy eats!