Protein deficiency causes malnutrition, starvation, and disease, killing millions in Third World countries, especially children. It also occurs in developed countries due to poverty, and in dieters and vegetarians who don’t balance their diet. Protein is essential for the body to synthesize amino acids, maintain healthy tissues, and make hemoglobin. Protein deficiency leads to muscle wasting, weight loss, diarrhea, edema, hair loss, scaly skin, and lethargy. Children need 0.5 grams of protein per pound of body weight, and adults need approximately 60 grams per day. Good sources of protein include meat, eggs, dairy, whole grains, beans, nuts, sunflower seeds, brown rice, potatoes, spinach, and broccoli.
Protein deficiency is a state of malnutrition in which insufficient amounts of protein are eaten for the body to use for energy. This condition is largely responsible for the high incidence of starvation and disease in many Third World countries, killing millions of people every year. Unfortunately, many children under the age of five make up the majority of the victims. However, protein deficiency also occurs in developed countries, mainly due to poverty. Certain people can also become prone to protein deficiency, such as dieters and vegetarians who do not properly balance their diet.
Protein is necessary for the body to synthesize 13 amino acids and break down polypeptide molecules into the nine essential amino acids that the body cannot make on its own. Collectively, these acids are constantly working to replenish the body’s tissues, which is why they play an important role in maintaining healthy bones, muscles, and organs. The body also uses protein to make hemoglobin in red blood cells, the vehicle by which oxygen is transported to muscles and organs. Also, without enough protein, the lungs and immune system would stop working properly.
The body interprets a state of protein deficiency as a signal to go into starvation mode. As a result, the body tries to make up for the deficiency by withdrawing protein stores in the body for recycling. The first source the body will turn to for protein extraction is the muscles, leading to a condition known as muscle wasting. In fact, weakness resulting from a loss of muscle mass is one of the first symptoms of protein deficiency.
Other symptoms of protein deficiency include weight loss, diarrhea, and a buildup of fluid (edema) in the legs and abdomen. Initial outward signs include hair loss, scaly skin, and lethargy due to lack of energy. If the deficiency continues, the organs will begin to malfunction. For example, since protein utilization is involved in the transport of lipoproteins and cholesterol, its lack will lead to steatosis hepatitis or fatty liver disease. In addition, the body will not be able to maintain normal leukocyte levels, leaving the body deficient in white blood cells and the immune system will be unable to fight infection.
Generally speaking, children require 0.5 grams of protein for every pound (0.5 kilograms) of body weight and adults a total of approximately 60 grams of protein per day. However, pregnant or lactating women may require more. In addition to meat, eggs, and dairy, particularly good sources of protein include whole grains, beans, nuts, sunflower seeds, brown rice, potatoes, spinach, and broccoli.
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