Symptoms of Protein Deficiency

Symptoms of protein deficiency include swelling, hair loss, increased hunger, and more serious infections.

Protein is one of the body’s basic building blocks. It plays a key role in the structure and function of muscles, skin, enzymes, and hormones.

Protein deficiency is when you don’t get enough protein to meet your body’s needs.

Although true protein deficiency is rare in the Western world, some people get very low amounts of protein from their diets. This can affect almost every aspect of body function and can lead to a variety of health problems.

The most severe form of protein deficiency is known as kwashiorkor. It is most common in children in developing countries, where malnutrition and imbalanced nutrition are more common.

Symptoms of protein deficiency can begin to appear even when protein deficiency is marginal.

1. Edema
Edema is a condition characterized by swollen, puffy skin.

Researchers suggest that this may be due to low levels of human serum albumin, the most abundant protein in the liquid portion of blood, or blood plasma.
One of the primary functions of albumin is to maintain oncotic pressure, a force that pulls fluid into the bloodstream.
In this way, albumin prevents excess fluid from accumulating in the tissues or other compartments of the body. Due to low levels of human serum albumin, severe protein deficiency leads to lower oncotic pressure. As a result, fluid accumulates in the tissues, causing swelling.
Remember that edema is a symptom of severe protein deficiency, which is rarely seen in developed countries.

2. Fatty liver
Another symptom of protein deficiency is fatty liver, or the accumulation of fat in liver cells.

Protein deficiency has been linked to fatty liver disease in developing countries. This can lead to inflammation, scarring of the liver, and potentially liver failure.It is not clear why fatty liver disease occurs with protein deficiency, but research suggests it may be due to changes in the gut microbiome, mitochondria, and peroxisomal cells. This can lead to impaired synthesis of fat-carrying proteins known as lipoproteins.

3. Skin, hair and nail problems
Protein deficiency can cause changes in the skin, hair and nails, which are largely made up of protein.

For example, protein deficiency can affect hair growth and structure, leading to a condition known as telogen effluvium, which can lead to hair loss.Protein deficiency in children is characterized by scaly or cracked skin, redness and patches of unpigmented skin. However, unless you have a severe protein deficiency, these symptoms are unlikely to occur.

4. Loss of muscle mass
Your muscles are your body’s largest storehouse of protein.

When dietary protein is insufficient, the body tends to take protein from external sources, such as skeletal muscle, to maintain more important tissues and body functions. As a result, protein deficiency can lead to muscle loss over time.Even moderate protein deficiency can cause muscle loss, especially in older adults.In fact, research shows that adults ages 65 and older should consume at least 0.5 grams of protein for every pound of body weight, which is more than the recommended daily intake of 0.36 grams.Increasing your protein intake may help prevent sarcopenia, the slow loss of muscle that occurs with aging.

5. Increased risk of bone fractures
Not consuming enough protein weakens your bones and increases your risk of fractures.

A 2021 study found that participants who ate more protein had 6% higher bone mineral density in their hips and spines than those who ate less protein. After 5 years, researchers found that those who ate more protein were less likely to experience bone fractures.