Symptoms of protein deficiency cannot be sidetracked. Both adult and children do need undergo protein deficiency test. To ascertain their protein levels.
Proteins are important nutrients as they help in building muscles, skin, enzymes and hormones, and also play an essential role in all body tissues. Symptoms of Protein Deficiency are manifold.
Most foods contain some protein. As a result, true protein deficiency is rare in developed countries. Yet, some people may still be at risk.
Deficiency does lead to several health issues, while low protein intake may also be a concern, as it can indeed lead to subtle changes in one’s body over a period of time.
What Is Protein Deficiency?
Protein deficiency is when one’s intake is unable to meet the body’s requirements. Protein deficiency symptoms cannot be overlooked.
World over particularly in developing and under developed countries people do suffer from protein deficiency as they cannot afford nutritious food.
Certain people in developed countries also do face such risk. This is so in the case of people who have an imbalanced diet, as well as institutionalized older people and also hospitalized patients. Of course, true protein deficiency is uncommon in the Western world, some people get very low amounts from their diet.
Too little protein may indeed cause changes in one’s body composition that does develop over a long period of time, such as muscle wasting.
The most severe form of protein deficiency is referred to as kwashiorkor. It most often occurs in children in developing countries where famine as well as imbalanced diets are rather common.
Protein deficiency can of course affect almost all aspects of one’s body function.
1. Edema
Edema, characterized by swollen and puffy skin, is a symptom of kwashiorkor. Doctors do carry out protein deficiency test.
It is supposed to be due to low amounts of human serum albumin. O account of low human serum albumin levels, severe protein deficiency leads to lower oncotic pressure. This results in fluid accumulation in tissues, thus causing swelling.
Protein deficiency can also cause fluid buildup inside the abdominal cavity. A bloated belly is indeed characteristic sign of kwashiorkor.
2. Fatty Liver
Another common symptom of kwashiorkor is a fatty liver, or fat accumulation in liver cells .If it is not treated, the condition may develop into fatty liver disease, thus causing inflammation, liver scarring and potentially liver failure.
Fatty liver happens to be a common condition in obese people, as well as those who consume a lot of alcohol.
3. Skin, Hair and Nail Problems
Protein deficiency does often leave its mark on the skin, hair as well as nails, which are largely made of protein.
Kwashiorkor in children is distinguished by flaky or splitting skin, redness and patches of de-pigmented skin. It leads to thinning, faded hair color, hair loss (alopecia) and brittle nails. These are health problems of severe protein deficiency.
4. Loss of Muscle Mass
Muscles are largest reservoir of protein in one’s body.
When dietary protein is in short supply, the body does tend to take protein from skeletal muscles in order to preserve more important tissues and body functions. As a result, lack of protein leads to muscle wasting over time.
Even moderate protein insufficiency may cause muscle wasting, especially in elderly people.
5. Greater Risk of Bone Fractures
Muscles as well as bones get affected due to low protein levels. Low consumption of protein weaken the bones and increase the risk of fractures. Studies have shown that postmenopausal women found that a higher protein intake was associated with a lower risk of hip fractures. Animal-source protein has a lot of health benefits.
6. Stunted Growth in Children
Protein is essential for body growth. Its deficiency or insufficiency is harmful to children as their growing bodies need protein.
Stunted growth is due to childhood malnutrition.
7. Increased Severity of Infections
A protein deficit can damage immune system.
Impaired immune function can cause infections, which is a common symptom of severe protein deficiency.
