Protein is an important nutrient in building up your muscles, skills and hormones. It plays an important role in blood tissues.
The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for men is 56 grams per day and 46 per gram for women to get more specific recommendation for your protein intake, calculate it based on your body weight says Lindsey Kane, “Generally speaking one needs 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight”. This means about 56 grams of protein for someone who weighs 154 pounds.
5 signs and symptoms of Protein Deficiency.
A. Edema
Edema is characterized by puffy skin which is a classic symptom of kwashiorkor. Scientists believe it is caused due to low amounts of human serum albumin. Keeping in mind that edema is a symptom of severe protein deficiency and there are less chances of taking place in developed countries.
B. You are losing out muscle mass
Protein is made from amino acids which are essential in building muscle. If you are not getting an adequate amount of protein, your muscle mass would suffer. You will notice decreased strength, change in weight, mood swings.
C. Nails and hair growth are getting brittle and slow
When you lack right amount of protein nails become brittle as they break easily and your hair loses its lustre. Too little protein shifts they body’s focus from growing strong hair and healthy nails.
D. Higher risk of bone fracture
By having less proteins intake bones are at risk. By not consuming right amounts of protein the risk of fracture increases. Insufficient protein intake can be linked to mineral densities and high risk of fractures.
E. Loss of appetite and calorie count
Poor appetite is one of the symptoms of severe protein deficiency. It drives away the urge to eat. For some people it increases appetite for savoury foods which tends to be high in protein. This is the reason why increased protein intake can reduce overall intake and promote weight loss.
