What Happens When Your Body Is Low In Protein?

Table of Contents

• What does it mean to have low protein levels in your body?

• Why Do We Need to Eat Protein?

• How much protein do you need?

• What happens if you don't eat enough protein?

• Who is at greater risk of protein deficiency?

• Take-Home Points

• FAQ on What Happens When Your Body Is Low In Protein?

Introduction

Proteins are proximate principles of food meaning they are needed in large amounts. The first question comes to our mind while thinking of proteins i.e., why do we need to eat protein? They have many functions, acting as building blocks of the body as one of them. 

Low protein can be due to inadequate protein intake through diet. What happens when your body is low in protein? Protein deficiency can involve almost every system of our body. 

Kwashiorkor and marasmus are the most severe forms of protein energy malnutrition. Protein-energy malnutrition is an important problem to address in India.

In this blog, we’ll be answering your questions regarding what happens when your body is low in protein. How much protein do you need? Who is at greater risk of protein deficiency etc?

What does it mean to have low protein levels in your body?

Low protein is uncommon among people eating a balanced diet as in the case of developed countries but it is quite common in countries like India, where malnutrition is a major concern. 

Low protein, also known as hypoproteinemia is when your body has less protein levels in your body than normal. This may be caused by low dietary intake of protein. You can get to know about low protein in your body utilizing various blood tests like:

1. Total protein

2. Albumin levels

3. Albumin to globulin ratio

Albumin and globulin are proteins which are produced by the liver, it is important to note that in diseases of the liver irrespective of your dietary intake of protein your body can have low levels of protein as the liver is involved in production.

Why Do We Need to Eat Protein?

Your body contains almost 10,000 proteins, proteins when digested are converted into amino acids. The question that comes to mind is why we need to eat protein. Amino acids are building blocks of our body from antibodies to enzymes, All are fundamentally proteins. Proteins are important for growth and Development.

Proteins are also needed for repair of muscles and bones. Most of the Hormones(not all)  are also made up of proteins.  

Amino acids are of two types essential and non-essential amino acids. There are 20 amino acids out of which 11 are non-essential (synthesised within the body) and 9 non-essential amino acids(not synthesised by our body).

How much protein do you need?

After understanding the importance of proteins in our body it is important to know How much protein you need.

You should get 10-15% of energy requirements from protein. Recommendations for daily protein intake are 0.8-1.0 g per kg of weight, for example, a person weighing 60 kg would need 48g-60g proteins. 

The point to note is that protein requirements can vary depending on your body’s needs like age and health condition. For example, In pregnancy, the protein requirement increases. 

The problem with protein is that your body cannot store it unlike other nutrients, therefore it is important to eat protein daily and spread it across your meals.

What happens if you don't eat enough protein?

Protein deficiency occurs when you don't eat enough protein, protein is present in almost every food item you eat, but quantity and quality differ.

Recommended protein intake that is 1g per kg, doesn't mean that only taking this amount will suffice because the ability to build muscles with age also decreases. This number is the bare minimum amount to take to avoid a protein-deficient state. What happens when your body is low in protein? Here are some of the signs of protein deficiency:

1. Oedema: Edema is characterised by a swollen or puffy face, although it is important to note that oedema is not just limited to the face it can happen anywhere on the body(eg: legs). Albumin(protein in the blood) is responsible for holding the water content of blood within blood vessels. In protein deficiency, there is decreased synthesis of albumin leading to water moving out of blood vessels into tissues causing edema.

2. Fatty liver: Fatty liver is commonly seen in Alcoholics and obese. Protein deficiency can also cause fatty liver or fatty liver disease. Fatty liver disease can cause inflammation and liver failure.

3. Skin, hair and nail changes: Protein is present in hairs and nails. However, changes in nails and hairs are observed in severe protein deficiency. In children with kwashiorkor splitting skin or patches of depigmentation are seen.

4. Increase appetite and Calorie intake: Severe protein deficiency can present with decreased appetite but it not the case with milder forms of protein deficiency. Your body increases appetite to get more food to meet protein requirements. Appetite increase is selectively seen for savoury food items, but these food items are also high in calories which further increases weight.

5. Frequent infections: Protein boosts immunity. Proteins are required for antibody formation and proper functioning of the immune system. Low protein makes one vulnerable to a more severe form of infection.

6. Mood changes or trouble thinking due to fluctuating levels of blood sugar and protein’s effect on the brain’s neurotransmitters (which regulate mood)

7. Decreased Muscle mass: Protein deficiency is linked with loss of muscle mass. When your body is low in protein, it tends to take protein from muscles to preserve the function of important structures. Therefore, even in the initial phases of hypoproteinemia one can have muscle wasting.

8. Increased risk of fractures: Lower Protein intake is associated with fractures. Studies conducted among post-menopausal women stated that increased intake of protein is associated with a lower risk of getting hip fractures.

9. Stunted Growth: Protein is required for growth and development, it is not only limited to muscles and bones. Stunting is a sign of chronic malnutrition in childhood. Paediatricians usually measure your child’s height and compare it with WHO growth charts to see if stunting is present.

Who is at greater risk of protein deficiency?

Protein can be present in almost every source you eat, it is important to understand quality and quantity of protein matter a lot. People who are at greater risk of protein deficiency:

1. Geriatrics: people who are in their old age, demand for protein increases in old age, and failure to get adequate amounts may lead to protein deficiency.

2. Pregnant and Lactating females: Pregnant and lactating females require a higher amount of protein.

3. Athletes

4. Vegetarians and Vegans

5. People with chronic illnesses 

Take-Home Points

1. Proteins are proximate principles of food meaning they are needed in large amounts.

2. Low protein can be due to inadequate protein intake through diet. 

3. Kwashiorkor and marasmus are the most severe forms of protein energy malnutrition.

4. Amino acids are building blocks of our body from antibodies to enzymes, All are fundamentally proteins. Proteins are important for growth and Development.

5. You should get 10-15% of energy requirements from protein. Recommendations for daily protein intake are 0.8-1.0 g per kg of weight.

6. Proteins are also needed for repair of muscles and bones. Most of the Hormones(not all)  are also made up of proteins

7. Signs of protein deficiency include oedema, fatty liver change, skin, hair, and nail changes, increased infections, decreased muscle mass and stunting.

8. Geriatric people, pregnant and lactating females, athletes and people with chronic illnesses are at greater risk of protein deficiency.