Protein is one of the essential nutrients required by the human body. It plays a vital role in tissue growth and repair, maintaining a healthy immune system, and producing hormones and enzymes.
Protein is found in various foods, including meat, dairy, legumes, and vegetables. However, protein deficiency is a widespread problem worldwide, particularly in developing countries.
Who knows if you are one of them? But how to know if you have protein deficiency?
In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about protein deficiency, its causes, symptoms, and treatment.
Don’t miss out on any of the information we have here! Eat more protein today!
What is Protein?
Protein is a true superhero of the human body, serving a multitude of essential functions, from building muscle and bone to carrying oxygen and fighting off infections. This complex macromolecule comprises chains of amino acids that fold into unique three-dimensional structures, giving them remarkable versatility.
With various sources such as meat, fish, eggs, beans, and nuts, protein is a vital component of a healthy diet and a delicious one.
So whether you’re a fitness enthusiast or just looking to fuel your body, make sure to include protein in your daily menu for a powerful boost of strength and vitality.
How does protein benefit our body?
Protein benefits us in multiple ways; a few of them are:
- Protein is essential for building and repairing tissues in our body.
- It is a critical component of enzymes, hormones, and antibodies that perform vital bodily functions.
- Protein helps maintain healthy bones, muscles, and skin.
- It is a primary energy source for our body and helps regulate blood sugar levels.
- Consuming adequate protein promotes satiety, which can aid in weight management.
- Protein plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy immune system and fighting infections.
- It is necessary for proper brain function and cognitive development.
- Protein assists in the transport of molecules throughout our body.
- It plays a role in maintaining a healthy heart and blood vessels.
- High-quality protein sources can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
What is Protein Deficiency?
Protein deficiency occurs when we are unable to meet our daily protein requirements. As per Protein Consumption in Diet of Adult Indians: A General Consumer Survey (PRODIGY) conducted in 2017, the protein intake of nine out of ten people is inadequate.
According to ICMR 2020, an adult needs around 45-55 grams of protein per day, and approx. 10-15% of daily calories must come from protein. Several studies indicate that 70% of Indians are protein deficient.
Inadequate protein intake can lead to a variety of health problems, ranging from mild to severe. Severe protein deficiency can even be life-threatening.
A lack of protein can lead to symptoms that affect multiple bodily processes. Let’s explore the signs and symptoms of protein deficiency.
Symptoms of Protein Deficiency:
The symptoms of protein deficiency vary depending on the severity of the deficiency. Mild protein deficiency may not show symptoms, while severe protein deficiency can lead to life-threatening conditions. Some common symptoms of protein deficiency include:
1. Muscle loss
Muscle loss due to insufficient protein intake can impact individuals of all ages, including older adults, and prolonged protein deficiency can lead to the progressive deterioration and weakening of muscle tissue.
2. Dry and scaly skin
Adequate protein consumption is essential for maintaining healthy skin, as insufficient protein intake can cause dry and rough skin, inflammation leading to redness, and loss of skin pigmentation.
3. Hair and nail issues
Hair and nails rely on keratin, a protein that offers durability and nourishment. If you frequently encounter problems such as hair loss, hair thinning, and fragile nails, it could be due to a significant lack of protein.
4. Oedema
Inadequate and prolonged protein deficiency can result in a medical condition known as kwashiorkor. Low serum albumin levels characterize this condition, which can cause fluid buildup in the abdominal cavity. As a result, the affected person may have swollen and puffy skin due to water retention.
5. Fatty liver
Insufficient protein intake can impact the production of proteins responsible for transporting fats, which in turn can heighten the likelihood of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
6. Weak immune health
Protein deficiency can also weaken our immune system, hindering the synthesis of antibodies that play a crucial role in fighting infections. This can increase our susceptibility to various illnesses and infections.
7. Increased risk of bone fractures
Sufficient protein intake is necessary to maintain strong bones. Inadequate protein consumption can put us at risk of weakened bones and increase the likelihood of fractures.
8. Low energy levels and fatigue
When we don’t consume enough protein, it can slow down our metabolic rate and reduce muscle strength, leading to constant fatigue and tiredness.
Protein deficiency can affect almost all the processes in the body and exhibit associated symptoms. Before discussing the symptoms, let us discuss some causes of protein deficiency.
Causes of Protein Deficiency:
There are several causes of protein deficiency, including:
1. Inadequate protein intake
The lack of protein sources in one’s diet can result in protein deficiency. Therefore, it’s essential to incorporate protein-rich foods, such as eggs, pulses, legumes, chicken, seafood, nuts, milk, and dairy products, into our daily diet. Spirulina can also be a good source of protein.
2. Renal disorders
Individuals with kidney problems are often recommended to follow a low-protein diet since the kidneys may not be able to metabolize protein fully, leading to protein leakage into the urine.
3. Liver diseases
Conditions like hepatitis or liver cirrhosis can impact liver function, potentially resulting in insufficient protein supply for the body to perform its essential functions.
4. Digestive issues
The absorption of nutrients from food occurs in the small intestine. In digestive disorders such as Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or celiac disease, the small intestine may sustain damage, which can interfere with the breakdown and absorption of food, leading to deficiencies in essential nutrients, including protein.
5. Medical conditions
Certain medical conditions, such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, and kidney disease, can increase a person’s protein requirements or interfere with their ability to absorb protein.
6. Aging
As we age, our bodies become less efficient at absorbing and utilizing protein, which can lead to a higher risk of protein deficiency.
How to prevent protein deficiency?
Here are some quick tips to prevent you from a protein deficiency in keeping a healthy and happy body.
1. To ensure adequate protein intake, it’s important to incorporate high-quality protein sources into our diet that contain all essential amino acids. Non-vegetarians can consider including eggs, fish, chicken, whey protein, and dairy products.
Plant-based sources such as soybean, green peas, broccoli, peanut butter, spirulina, legumes, pulses, and plant-based protein powders can be good options for vegans.
2. Individuals with celiac disease are advised to avoid consuming foods that contain gluten to enhance nutrient absorption, including protein.
3. Prebiotics and probiotics can be helpful for individuals with digestive issues by promoting gut health and reducing the risk of indigestion problems.
4. Individuals with kidney or liver health problems should seek medical advice to determine their protein requirements and develop a suitable diet plan based on their condition.
How to Diagnosis of protein deficiency
A protein deficiency can lead to a range of health issues, including a weakened immune system, muscle loss, and fatigue.
Diagnosing a protein deficiency involves evaluating several factors, including:
1. Medical history
Healthcare professionals will ask about your medical history, including any existing health conditions or previous surgeries that may impact protein absorption or utilization.
2. Dietary habits
Your diet will be assessed to determine if it includes enough protein-rich foods.
3. Physical examination
A physical examination may be conducted to assess muscle mass and strength and any visible signs of malnutrition.
4. Serum albumin test
This laboratory test measures the amount of albumin, a protein produced by the liver, in the blood. Low levels of albumin may indicate a protein deficiency.
5. Creatinine test
This laboratory test measures creatinine levels in the blood, a byproduct of muscle metabolism. Low creatinine levels may indicate muscle loss resulting from insufficient protein intake.
6. Nitrogen balance test
This test evaluates the amount of nitrogen consumed and excreted by the body. A negative nitrogen balance indicates that the body is breaking down muscle protein to meet its protein needs, which may be an indicator of protein deficiency.
If you suspect a protein deficiency, it is essential to consult with a healthcare professional to receive a proper diagnosis and develop a suitable treatment plan. Addressing a protein deficiency can improve your overall health and well-being.
Treatment of protein deficiency
Protein deficiency is a condition that occurs when the body does not get enough protein from the diet. This can lead to a range of health issues, including a weakened immune system, muscle loss, and fatigue. However, treating protein deficiency with proper nutrition and medical intervention is possible.
Here are some ways to treat protein deficiency:
1. Increase protein intake
Consuming a protein-rich diet is the most effective way to treat protein deficiency. Foods such as lean meats, fish, eggs, dairy products, nuts, and legumes are excellent protein sources. It is crucial to consume a balanced diet that contains all essential amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein.
2. Protein supplements
In some cases, protein supplements may be recommended by a healthcare professional to help meet daily protein requirements. These supplements can come in various forms, including powders, bars, and shakes. Choosing high-quality protein supplements that contain all essential amino acids is essential.
3. Medical intervention
In severe cases of protein deficiency, medical intervention may be necessary. This can include intravenous protein therapy or other treatments to improve protein absorption and utilization. In some cases, medication may be prescribed to help improve protein metabolism.
4. Address underlying health issues
Addressing underlying health conditions that may impact protein absorption or utilization is essential in treating protein deficiency. For example, individuals with digestive disorders may need to address these conditions to improve protein absorption. Those with kidney or liver problems may require specific dietary adjustments to manage their condition and protein intake.
5. Exercise
Exercise can help improve muscle mass and strength, which can be impacted by protein deficiency. Resistance training, such as weight lifting, is particularly effective in improving muscle protein synthesis.
6. Consult with a healthcare professional
It is essential to consult with a healthcare professional before significantly changing your diet or starting any new exercise routine. They can help determine the appropriate level of protein intake and recommend any necessary medical interventions or dietary adjustments.
Be mindful of protein intake when following specific diets: Individuals who follow vegetarian or vegan diets may be at higher risk for protein deficiency if they do not consume enough plant-based protein sources. Those following a low-carbohydrate or low-calorie diet may also be at risk for protein deficiency if they do not consume enough protein to meet their daily requirements.
Summing Up
In conclusion, protein plays a vital role in maintaining optimal health and well-being. To avoid the adverse effects of protein deficiency, it is crucial to incorporate protein-rich foods into our daily diet.
A well-balanced diet consisting of various protein sources is preferable to relying on a single type of protein. Therefore, it is essential to pay attention to our daily protein intake and ensure we are consuming enough protein to meet our body’s requirements.
By following a balanced diet and incorporating protein sources, we can avoid the potential health risks associated with protein deficiency and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
What are 3 main issues that protein deficiencies can lead to?
And over time, a lack of protein can make you lose muscle mass, which in turn cuts your strength, makes it harder to keep your balance, and slows your metabolism. It can also lead to anemia, when your cells don’t get enough oxygen, which makes you tired.
What problems does protein deficiency cause?
Serious protein deficiency can cause swelling, fatty liver, skin degeneration, increase the severity of infections and stunt growth in children. While true deficiency is rare in developed countries, low intake may cause muscle wasting and increase the risk of bone fractures
How can we know if a person has a deficiency in proteins?
Your skin is dry and flaky. If you used to have plump, glowing skin that’s now dull and flaky, it might be a sign that protein is lacking in your diet. “Protein makes up the building blocks of our hair, nails, and skin.
What causes protein levels to drop?
If your total protein level is low, you may have a liver or kidney problem, or it may be that protein isn’t being digested or absorbed properly. A high total protein level could indicate dehydration or a certain type of cancer, such as multiple myeloma, that causes protein to accumulate abnormally.
How do you fix protein deficiency?
Whether you eat a plant-based diet or include animal products in your meals, the best way to get enough amino acids is to emphasize foods in your diet like meat, dairy, eggs, fish, yogurt, beans, nuts, seeds and whole grains. Aim to eat about 0.4 to 0.5 grams of protein for every pound of body weight.
What are the two types of protein deficiency?
Protein-energy undernutrition doesn’t occur due to short-term illnesses. It’s more likely due to malnutrition over a long period. Two main types of this undernutrition are marasmus and kwashiorkor.
