Hey again, viewers!
Have you been getting your proper amount of protein lately?
It’s easy to overlook.
Did you know that an estimated one billion people worldwide suffer from insufficient
protein intake?
Given our busy schedules, many of us only have time to scarf down a quick burger from
the drive-thru, missing out on essential nutrients.
Let’s talk 11 signs that your body needs protein.
Do you lose muscle mass?
Is it possible to lose hair?
Can you get infections easier?
We’re talking all that AND more.
Colds
One sign of protein deficiency that you just can’t ignore is the brutal cold you receive.
When you’re not getting the proper amount of protein, your immune system is going to
be unsatisfied.
Protein contains amino acids that activate white blood cells.
This fights against viruses and bacteria, and lowers your chances of getting sick.
Infection
Not only can you get sick quicker than usual, less protein in your diet also makes you vulnerable
to various infections.
This is once again due to the lack of amino acids in your immune system.
A 2013 study on mice showed that those with a diet of 2% protein were more susceptible
to influenza than mice who consumed 18% protein.
If a tiny little rodent is sensitive to low protein, just imagine how sensitive your body
is.
If I were you, I’d head out to the grocery store and grab some eggs and poultry.
Loss of Muscle Mass
Did you know that your muscles are primarily made up of protein?
Muscle loss is the highest among those who do not consume a sufficient amount.
The average man is recommended around 56 grams of protein per day, while the average woman
is suggested 46.
When your body is lacking in protein, guess where it goes to get it?
Your muscles!
The body will extract whatever it can get in an attempt to restore protein in your tissues.
This allows your body to function properly.
If you continue to go without protein, you will start to look smaller and much more frail.
So grab some nutrient-dense food and get those muscles back to where they were before.
Liver Damage
Protein deficiency brings on fatty liver.
Well an excessive amount of fat accumulates within the liver cells, causing the organ
to become inflamed.
It takes just 5% of fat in your liver for this to occur.
If your liver is left untreated overtime, you could develop fatty liver disease, which
eventually leads to the organ failing.
While the connection between protein deficiency and fatty liver is still unclear, experts
believe that lipoproteins are to blame.
These are the proteins that properly transport fat throughout the body.
Increased Calories
The right amount of protein in your diet keeps your appetite at bay.
The more protein you are eating, the less hungry you will be.
If your stomach isn’t receiving enough protein to work with, it will ask for more food.
This will force you to increase your calorie intake.
And we all know what happens after a full day of downing calories.
You weight will begin to skyrocket.
Because your body will be feeling less energetic, you will also want to eat more sugar.
This contributes to the weight gain.
So put down burgers and fries.
Cook some chicken and get that protein intake back to a healthy level.
Depression
Protein deficiency is not only harmful to your physical state.
It takes a toll on your mental health as well.
Decreasing your intake of protein can cause you to feel symptoms of depression.
Lack of protein equals lack of neurotransmitters.
Remember how we mentioned amino acids?
The neurotransmitters in your body are comprised of these.
This will lower the level of serotonin in your brain, making you feel depressed.
Since your is working overtime, your high intake of sugar will only fuel this.
We all know what it’s like to come down after a sugar high.
You are left feeling absolutely exhausted and miserable.
Before we continue, are you concerned with your mental health?
Perhaps you should check out our video on 7 Daily Activities That Can Cause Depression.
Or if you’d like to learn more about the overall complexity of the brain, click on
clip discussing 6 Interesting Facts & Cases of Dissociative Identity Disorder.
Now back to our list on Serious Signs That Your Body Needs Protein!
Hair Loss
For some, this entry on our list may be the most alarming of them all.
When someone is suffering from a protein deficiency, hair loss is among the more common signs.
Were you aware the the average person loses around 100 hair follicles a day?
When your body is experiencing an extreme lack of protein, you can lose more than that.
The amino acids from various nutrients are key in strengthening your hair follicles.
If they are not receiving sufficient protein, they will begin to fall out.
Edema
Protein deficiency causes edema.
For those of you unaware, edema is a condition where your legs experience fluid build up
and begin to swell.
When this happens, you will notice that the infected area is stretched out and shiny.
While there are many factors that contribute to this, malnutrition is one of the most urgent.
When you haven’t been eating enough protein, there won’t be anything to hold together
the salt and water inside your blood vessels.
As a result, the contents leak into your tissue.
This is particularly serious if your level of albumin gets too low.
Made by your liver, albumin is a protein that helps keep these fluids in your bloodstream.
Foods such as eggs, fish and beef are go-to sources for those who haven’t been getting
their proper intake.
Stunted Growth
If your body is in development and is not receiving an adequate amount of protein, it
can stunt your growth.
Protein is key in building muscles and maintaining bone strength.
If children are not consuming the proper amount, their body won’t be allowed to grow to its
potential limit.
Did you know that about 1/5th of children around the world suffer from stunted growth?
This is primarily the case for kids in developing countries who do not have access to food with
heavy protein concentration.
It might be a drag for your child, but it’s essential that they load up on f oods such
as broccoli, eggs and chicken, as they carry large amounts of protein and can easily be
consumed at the kitchen table.
Slow Healing Wounds
Have you noticed that your cut on your finger hasn’t been healing as quickly as usual?
It was just a tiny slip up with the kitchen knife, yet it’s taken weeks.
If this is the case, you might want to look into just how much protein you’ve been consuming.
Ignoring the proper amount of protein hinders the healing process of your wounds.
The nutrient helps repair damaged tissue.
When the sufficient amount hasn’t been consumed, your body will be unable to form collagen.
Weirdly enough, the wound healing process causes your body to lose protein.
Just around 100 mg per day if the wound is leaking fluid.
So not only will your wound lose the ability to heal properly, by the time it’s finished,
you’ll have even less protein than what you started with.
It’s best to eat as many protein-friendly foods into you as possible.
Do I have to say it again?
Get out to that supermarket and pick out your favourite source of protein!
Bone Fractures
Protein works to maintain the strength of your bones.
If you have not been getting it, your risk of fractures will increase.
To be clear, a bone fracture is when the continuity of your bone suffers a partial or complete
break.
Along with calcium, protein also helps prevent osteoporosis from taking form as you get older.
High protein consumption will also increase your bone mineral density.
People with hip fractures can also be linked to a low intake of protein.
Believe me, you want to avoid a bone fracture at all costs.
Your local grocery store is waiting!
Are you getting the proper amount of protein?
Have you experienced any of these symptoms?
Let us know in the comments below.
We’d love to hear from you.