Protein deficiency causes
Protein deficiency most commonly associates with an inadequate protein intake and malnutrition. A protein deficiency can also be the result of an underlying health disorder like crohn’s disease or celiac disease, both of which can interfere with the absorption of nutrients. The amount of protein a person needs is dependent on their health status, age, and activity level. The recommended daily allowance (RDA) has a minimum range of 0.36 grams of protein per pound body weight, which means that a person who weighs 150 pounds needs 54 grams of protein per day. (12)
Some people who involve diligently in strenuous physical activity like athletes might need more of protein in their diets. The people who might be at a greater risk of developing protein deficiency include the following:
Vegans and vegetarian’s as animal products are more valuable sources of protein as compared to the plant sources
- Adults older than 70 years
- Children with malnourishment
However, people who are not consuming animal products in their diets can still obtain enough protein from the plant sources of food. According to a 2013 comparative study of nutrition profiles of meat-eaters and vegetarians, the people consuming plant-based foods only get enough protein from foods like beans and lentils. The vegetarians get as much protein as vegetarians who eat dairy products and eggs. The dietitians state that as long as one continues to consume enough protein from plant-based foods, there won’t be risk of them getting a protein deficiency.
Although true protein deficiency is uncommon in the developed countries, but some people get very few amounts in their diet. A little amount of protein might cause changes in muscle composition like muscle wasting that tends to develop over a long period of time the most severe type of protein deficiency that occurs is known as kwashiorkor. Kwashiorkor most often develops in growing children residing in under-developed countries where imbalanced diets and famine is common. Protein deficiency can affect almost all system of the body resulting in numerous symptoms. Some of the protein deficiency symptoms might start to appear even when it reachers marginal levels.
Following are some common underlying causes of protein deficiency:
Certain health conditions
According to the estimates, almost one billion people all around the world are suffering from inadequate intake of protein. The problem lies specifically more severely in South Asia and Central Africa, where almost 30% of the children get slight amounts of amounts of protein in their diets. Health conditions that affect the absorption of nutrients or digestion in some way often result in protein deficiency which is medically known as hypo-proteinemia. Liming intake of foods or following a restrictive diet can also lead to the deficiency of protein reserves in the body.