text: If you need to lose weight or belly fat, then consider replacing some of the carbs and fats you are eating with protein. (JJRD/iStock)
  If you're physically active, lifting weights, or trying to gain muscle and strength, then you need to make sure that you're getting enough protein. (Art-Of-Photo/iStock)
  People who eat more protein tend to maintain their bone mass better as they get older (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
  One study in overweight men showed that increasing protein to 25% of calories reduced cravings by 60%, and reduced the desire to snack at night by half. (authoritynutrition.com)
  A higher protein intake has been shown to boost your metabolism significantly (shakzu/iStock)
  Interestingly, a higher protein intake has been shown to lower blood pressure in several studies. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
  If you want to lose weight, keep it off and prevent obesity in the future, then consider making a permanent increase your protein intake. (undrey/iStock)
  In a 12-month study of 130 overweight people on a calorie-restricted diet, the high-protein group lost 53% more body fat than a normal-protein group eating the samenumber of calories.
  It is true that protein can cause harm in people with kidney problems, but this has no relevance to people with healthy kidneys (Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)