Protein Deficiency Risks

If your are not eating enough protein, you are not only missing out on the health benefits but may be doing some damage to your overall health. What are some of the affects a lack of protein can have and the main five risks of protein deficiency?

1. Retaining Fluid

Having enough protein can help balance the fluid in your body. Not taking in enough protein can interfere with keeping this fluid balance and lead to fluid retention. Retaining fluid can lead to the swelling of your stomach, feet and hands and can also lead to discolored skin, stiff joints, high blood pressure and pain.

2. Lack Of Muscle growth

It is well known that one of the main functions of protein is to maintain, repair and build the cells in your body. Having a protein deficiency can stunt the growth of muscle cells as these cells are are one of the main users of protein. With a lack of protein, even after 24 hours, your body begins to break down muscle cells in search of protein, causing muscle waste and shrinkage.

3. Mental Health Issues

Your brain also has requires protein to function at an optimal level. Without sufficient protein, your brain struggles to develop properly. This can lead to such issues as mood swings, anxiety and depression.

4. Possible Organ Failure

Protein plays an important part in the maintenance and repair of all of your body's vital organs. If you do not have enough protein, all your vital organs will not have what they need to stay healthy and function properly. In the short term, this results in organs not functioning at optimum level and possible organ failure in the long term.

5. Immune System Weakness

Protein is used by your immune system to create antibodies. The importance of these antibodies is to strengthen your body's immune system, and to fight disease, infections and viruses.
If you are lacking protein in your diet, your body will not have what is required to make these antibodies. The lack of these antibodies will have a negative effect on your immune system and make you vulnerable to infections, viruses, and diseases.

Summary
Protein deficiency can lead to some serious health problems. It is crucial that your diet contains plenty of protein-rich foods (such as meat, nuts, and fish) and to make it a point to enjoy the health boosting properties of protein.

~Thanks to Mike Medeiros