Protein Deficiency Symptoms

Barrack Diego provides an overview of the symptoms that may indicate protein deficiency.

Symptoms of protein deficiency first appear when your diet lacks protein for a while, and your body has not been getting the nutrition it desperately needs to function correctly. When that does not happen, it presents symptoms as signals that something is wrong. You must understand these in their early stages and visit a medical professional as soon as possible.

Lack of nutrient knowledge, restrictive diets and poverty are some common causative factors of protein deficiency. It can lead to many issues ranging from arthritis and gallstones to heart issues and muscle deterioration. Some of the common symptoms are:

Loss of Weight

One of the top symptoms is severe weight loss. This is caused by muscle wastage or the body's breakdown of muscle to extract the protein it needs.

Oedema

Oedema is a condition where fluid collects under the skin. It can develop anywhere on the body but usually manifests in the feet, ankles, and legs. Since proteins are vital for water balance in the body, their lack affects its capacity to store water properly.

Brittle Hair and Hair Loss

Protein is the building block of hair, and deficiencies can lead to thinning hair loss and breakage. This could become quite drastic in a short time and must be monitored.

Paleness and Rashes

Lack of pigment in the skin leads to paleness and burning of the skin in the sun. Dry, flaking skin and rashes could develop due to protein deficiency, resemble dry skin rashes like eczema.

Nail Ridges

Ongoing protein deficiencies cause white lines and ridges in toenails and fingernails. Top-to-bottom ridges indicate present issues, while the transverse ones mean the deficiency has passed.

Weakness and Slow Healing

Lethargy and weakness are not necessarily because the subject is lazy. It could be an indication of much more significant problems like protein deficiency. Muscle breakdown weakens the body, leading to extreme weakness and lethargy. The building blocks of protein called amino acids are essential to healing wounds. Injured or damaged tissues need to be replaced or repaired, for which amino acids are necessary. A lack of protein would slow down the entire healing process.

Sleeping Issues

There is bound to be difficulty in sleeping. Sleep difficulty is usually triggered by a deficiency in serotonin levels resulting from a lack of specific amino acids. When the body breaks down a protein, we know that amino acids are produced. If you consume a diet lacking in protein, you will experience sleep-associated issues.

Headaches

Headaches are standard, and numerous factors, including a distinct protein deficiency, could cause them. A protein deficiency could trigger headaches by causing anaemia or activating low blood sugar.

General Weakness & Fainting

General weakness and fainting could be the result of protein deficiency. This could be the result of low blood sugar or your body's need to break down muscle tissue to receive the nutrients it needs.

Some Other Symptoms

Not all protein deficiency symptoms seem to be physical. Some of these symptoms could be mental or emotional. They may include moodiness and crankiness, acute depression, conflict resolution issues, anxiety, weakness and lack of energy, or even the willingness to do anything.

Conclusion

If you are experiencing any of these protein deficiency symptoms, schedule an appointment with your primary doctor as soon as possible. It requires just an ordinary blood examination to determine if protein deficiency is the reason behind those symptoms. Protein deficiency treatment is not complicated, but it must be diagnosed promptly and adequately. Do not waste time; seek immediate medical attention if you suspect protein deficiency.

Page Reference

If you quote information from this page in your work, then the reference for this page is:

DIEGO, B. (2017) Protein Deficiency Symptoms [WWW] Available from: https://www.brianmac.co.uk/articles/article222.htm [Accessed

About the Author

Barrack Diego is a medical researcher at one of the top labs in the world. He pioneered research on proteins and their contribution to our bodies. He also maintains a blog to share articles and chronicle his research.


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Symptoms of protein deficiency first appear when your diet lacks protein for a while, and your body has not been getting the nutrition it desperately needs to function correctly. When that does not happen, it presents symptoms as signals that something is wrong. You must understand these in their early stages and visit a medical professional as soon as possible. Lack of nutrient knowledge, restrictive diets and poverty are some common causative factors of protein deficiency. It can lead to many issues ranging from arthritis and gallstones to heart issues and muscle deterioration. Some of the common symptoms are: Loss of Weight One of the top symptoms is severe weight loss. This is caused by muscle wastage or the body's breakdown of muscle to extract the protein it needs. Oedema Oedema is a condition where fluid collects under the skin. It can develop anywhere on the body but usually manifests in the feet, ankles, and legs. Since proteins are vital for water balance in the body, their lack affects its capacity to store water properly. Brittle Hair and Hair Loss Protein is the building block of hair, and deficiencies can lead to thinning hair loss and breakage. This could become quite drastic in a short time and must be monitored. Paleness and Rashes Lack of pigment in the skin leads to paleness and burning of the skin in the sun. Dry, flaking skin and rashes could develop due to protein deficiency, resemble dry skin rashes like eczema. Nail Ridges Ongoing protein deficiencies cause white lines and ridges in toenails and fingernails. Top-to-bottom ridges indicate present issues, while the transverse ones mean the deficiency has passed. Weakness and Slow Healing Lethargy and weakness are not necessarily because the subject is lazy. It could be an indication of much more significant problems like protein deficiency. Muscle breakdown weakens the body, leading to extreme weakness and lethargy. The building blocks of protein called amino acids are essential to healing wounds. Injured or damaged tissues need to be replaced or repaired, for which amino acids are necessary. A lack of protein would slow down the entire healing process. Sleeping Issues There is bound to be difficulty in sleeping. Sleep difficulty is usually triggered by a deficiency in serotonin levels resulting from a lack of specific amino acids. When the body breaks down a protein, we know that amino acids are produced. If you consume a diet lacking in protein, you will experience sleep-associated issues. Headaches Headaches are standard, and numerous factors, including a distinct protein deficiency, could cause them. A protein deficiency could trigger headaches by causing anaemia or activating low blood sugar. General Weakness & Fainting General weakness and fainting could be the result of protein deficiency. This could be the result of low blood sugar or your body's need to break down muscle tissue to receive the nutrients it needs. Some Other Symptoms Not all protein deficiency symptoms seem to be physical. Some of these symptoms could be mental or emotional. They may include moodiness and crankiness, acute depression, conflict resolution issues, anxiety, weakness and lack of energy, or even the willingness to do anything. Conclusion If you are experiencing any of these protein deficiency symptoms, schedule an appointment with your primary doctor as soon as possible. It requires just an ordinary blood examination to determine if protein deficiency is the reason behind those symptoms. Protein deficiency treatment is not complicated, but it must be diagnosed promptly and adequately. Do not waste time; seek immediate medical attention if you suspect protein deficiency. Page Reference If you quote information from this page in your work, then the reference for this page is: DIEGO, B. (2017) Protein Deficiency Symptoms [WWW] Available from: https://www.brianmac.co.uk/articles/article222.htm [Accessed About the Author Barrack Diego is a medical researcher at one of the top labs in the world. He pioneered research on proteins and their contribution to our bodies. He also maintains a blog to share articles and chronicle his research.