What Causes Protein Deficiency?
There are various nutrients that our body needs to maintain normal functioning. These include; "macro and micro nutrients" are divided into two different groups of nutrients. Macro nutrients; "carbohydrates, proteins and fats" while micronutrients; "vitamins and minerals". Protein is perhaps the most important of all macronutrients, because each part of our body is made up of proteins or continues to function with this nutrient.
Because of this vital importance, a possible protein deficiency in the body can cause various health problems. Knowing exactly what the protein deficiency is actually caused by and what symptoms are there to help you understand if you are suffering from such a problem will be very important for the "diagnosis and treatment" of the problem.
What is Protein?
Protein is a macro molecule that has many different functions in the body. It is one of the macro nutrients such as fat and carbohydrates. It has many different functions, from DNA formation to cell formation and intercellular communication. Especially in animal products, white and red meat, eggs, milk and dairy products contain large amounts of protein. In addition, plants contain protein, which is an important source of protein because it contains 25 grams of protein per 100 grams of lentils . ( 1 )
The most well-known characteristic of protein by athletes is that it is present in large amounts in muscle mass. Protein deficiency can manifest itself in many different symptoms in the body and can cause important diseases if left untreated. Before looking at the symptoms of protein deficiency, let's look at the question of protein deficiency causes.
Causes Protein Deficiency
Protein deficiency is caused by the body's inability to receive the amount of protein it needs. An estimated one billion people worldwide do not consume enough protein. ( 2 ) This is especially the case in South Asia and Central Africa.
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The most important form of protein deficiency is the disease known as kuvashiorkor (kwashiorkor, malnutrition). This disease is quite common in children living in regions where scarcity and unbalanced nutrition are common. Protein deficiency is not a common occurrence in the Western world, but it may also occur in these regions due to malnutrition. Protein deficiency is a condition that can affect almost the entire body and manifests itself with many different symptoms. In the long term, low protein consumption may lead to deterioration of body form and the onset of muscle loss.
What are the symptoms of protein deficiency?
We list the symptoms of protein deficiency that can be caused by malnutrition:
1. May cause edema problem
Edema with swollen and swollen skin is a classic symptom of malnutrition. Scientists think this is related to low albumin. Albumin is the most common protein in human blood. One of the main features of albumin is regulation of oncotic pressure. Oncotic pressure provides blood circulation. Lack of albumin can cause problems during the delivery of blood to the tissues, causing the tissues to collect water. Protein deficiency can also cause abdominal distention. A swollen abdomen is a prominent feature of malnutrition.
2. May Cause Liver Fatty
Another characteristic feature of Kuvashiorkor's disease is the accumulation of fat in the liver. Uncontrolled fat in the liver can cause inflammation, liver diseases and even liver failure. Liver fat is also seen in obese people and people who use heavy alcohol. It is not known exactly how protein deficiency causes fatty liver.
3. Hair, Skin and Nail Problems May Occur
Protein deficiency often manifests itself in hair, skin and nails. These tissues are susceptible to protein deficiency because they contain large amounts of protein. Children with Kuvashiorkor disease have red, cut and stained skin. ( 3 ) Protein deficiency can cause thinning of hair, discoloration of hair, loss of hair and deterioration of nails structure. ( 4 ) However, these conditions are unlikely to occur unless you have a severe protein deficiency.
4. Muscle Loss (Atrophy) May Occur
One condition that athletes are reluctant to live during diet is muscle loss. For this reason, they reduce their diet by paying attention to the amount of protein in the diet.
Muscle loss is one of the most important causes of protein deficiency. Muscles are the most important and large protein stores of the body. When there is not enough protein in the diet and the body cannot get enough protein, the body pulls protein from tissues like muscle. This may lead to muscle loss and shrinkage of muscle tissues over time.
Even the average protein consumption in elderly people may be insufficient and muscle loss may occur. A study has shown that the consumption of small amounts of protein in older men and women causes large amounts of muscle loss. ( 5 ) There are many studies supporting this situation.
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5. Negatively Affects the Strength of Bone Tissues
Tissues adversely affected by inadequate protein consumption are not only muscles, but also protein bones are important for bones. Failure to consume enough protein may result in thinning of the bones and reduced density. This puts your bones at risk. Studies show that high protein consumption is important for women after osteoporosis after menopause. In one study, it was observed that 20 grams of protein supplements every day slowed bone loss by 2.3% in post-menopausal women. ( 6 )
6. Can Stop Growth in Children
Protein not only prevents muscle loss but also triggers growth. Protein deficiency can reverse the situation. Lack of nutrients can cause growth to stop in children. Many studies show that low protein intake weakens growth. ( 7 )
7. May increase the severity of infections
Protein deficiency can also have negative effects on the immune system. The impaired immune system may increase the risk or severity of infection, which is a sign of severe protein deficiency. ( 8 )
8. May Cause High Calorie Intake by Increasing Hunger and Appetite
It is known that protein can reduce the feeling of hunger and thus reduce calorie intake by preventing extra nutrition. When this is the opposite, that is, when protein intake is reduced, hunger and desire to consume food increase in the body.
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