Protein deficiency is a painful condition of the human body that is associated with either increased breakdown of protein or insufficient protein intake and subsequent digestion.
The body uses protein as a building material, so even in a mild form of protein deficiency, which can occur without any external symptoms, the skin becomes too dry and hair and nail growth is slowed. In severe forms of protein deficiency, the normal function of all systems and organs is disrupted. Protein deficiency is especially dangerous for children: it can cause stunted growth, affect muscle formation and mental development.
Symptoms of protein deficiency
Mild forms of protein deficiency usually pass without any symptoms. The only exception is inherited deficiencies of certain amino acids, which are structural components of protein molecules. The characteristic symptoms of such deficiencies are usually observed in early childhood.
External symptoms of protein deficiency
- steadily decreasing weight;
- nails become brittle;
- hair becomes brittle, dull, begins to fall out;
- swelling;
- skin becomes dry and flaky;
- general weakness.
Nervous system symptoms
- headaches;
- mood swings;
- severe fatigue, lethargy;
- insomnia;
- mental activity decreases.
Musculoskeletal symptoms
- weakness in the muscles;
- growth retardation in children;
- weight and visible muscle volume decreases;
- muscle aches and pains, less often joints.
Symptoms from the digestive organs
- nausea;
- abdominal pain, bloating;
- increased craving for sweets;
- stools are disturbed (constipation, which is replaced by diarrhea);
- liver enlarges.
Why proteins are needed in the body
Proteins perform a number of vital functions, let’s list a few of them:
- Building: protein acts as the basis of connective tissue (muscles) and the cytoskeleton of cells.
- Motor: specific proteins are required for muscle contraction, movement of blood cells (leukocytes), movement of cellular components, etc.
- Catalytic: all chemical reactions in the body take place with the participation of enzymes, and enzymes are composed of a protein part, a vitamin and a mineral.
- Hormonal: protein hormones include thyroid thyroid hormones, catecholamines, pancreatic hormones, pituitary tropic hormones and prolactin.
- Protective: immune and mechanical (protein acts as the basis of the skeletal-muscular framework that protects internal organs from damage).
- Transport: proteins are used to transport substances between and within cells.
- Energy: oxidation of 1 g of protein yields 4 kcal.
- Regulatory: for example, proteins regulate cell division and the activity of reading information from DNA.
There are other functions as well. For example, sufficient protein content in food helps regulate the functions of the cerebral cortex, improves the state of the nervous system, promotes the assimilation of some micronutrients (e.g., iron).
Is it possible to replace animal protein with vegetable protein?
Both animal and vegetable proteins contain essential amino acids, but it is the amino acid composition that determines the quality of protein – animal proteins have more of them.
Of the 22 amino acids found in food proteins, only 12 can be synthesized in the body, and 10 are essential. Deficiency of any of them slows down growth (if we are talking about a child) and leads to various diseases. To make up for the deficient amino acids, proteins from muscles start to break down, muscles become exhausted, and weight drops.
Animal proteins contain mostly all the necessary amino acids, as well as being better digested by the body compared to vegetable proteins. People who have given up animal food may suffer from a deficiency of some amino acids, which is compensated by a balanced intake. That is, if a piece of meat will make up for the lack of almost all the necessary amino acids, then there should be many sources of vegetable protein, because no vegetable contains the entire complex of amino acids.
Plant foods rich in protein:
- Soybeans (including soy milk)
- Beans, peas, lentils, chickpeas
- Nuts
- Cereals
- Bread from whole wheat flour
- Porridge from oats, corn, millet, rice
- Broccoli
- Avocado
- Asparagus, etc.
These are just a few examples. If you don’t eat meat, try to fill your plate with all of the foods listed above.
Treatment of protein deficiency
In the treatment of protein deficiency, the main emphasis is on replenishing the volume of protein and normalizing its metabolism. In parallel, specialists treat the underlying disease.
Treatment may include the following points:
- Recommendations of a balanced protein-rich diet (which contains the right amount of animal protein). The diet includes caviar, fish, eggs and meat. Patients suffering from protein deficiency, which is caused by diabetes, liver and kidney disease, the diet is selected by their attending physician, taking into account the peculiarities of the course of the underlying disease.
- Medications – digestive enzymes, they are used by patients whose body itself cannot cope with the production of sufficient quantities of such enzymes.
Protein deficiency prevention
- A proper diet that includes the right amount of animal and vegetable proteins;
- Regular visits to the doctor when undergoing therapeutic fasting or following a diet that severely restricts the diet;
- Prompt detection and subsequent treatment of diseases that may increase the risk of protein deficiency.
Conclusion
Protein deficiency is a serious disease that affects the functioning of all body systems and is especially dangerous for children, slowing their growth and development. Protein deficiency can cause a host of physical and psycho-emotional problems, ranging from weakness and brittle hair to digestive and nervous system disorders. In order to prevent and treat protein deficiency, it is essential to monitor the diet, ensuring the intake of both animal and vegetable proteins. If symptoms of protein deficiency are present, it is important to consult a physician for a balanced diet and treatment to prevent complications and restore normal body function.
