8 Signs of Protein Deficiency You Need to Watch Out For

Last Updated on January 7, 2021

Protein is crucial to the functioning of the human body. So having a deficiency of protein will eventually make your body suffer.

According to a study from Texas A&M University, about a billion people around the world are suffering from protein deficiency, particularly in South Asia and Central Africa where up to 30 percent of kids are having too little protein in their diet.

Want to make sure that you’re not protein deficient? Click through the next page to learn about the signs associated with protein deficiency.

8 – Hair loss

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Your hair actually consists of 90 percent of protein, aka keratin. If your body is severely lacking nutrients, your hair will look unhealthy, get thin, and its color may fade. How does it happen? The body simply tries to manage the lack of protein by making efforts to preserve it and not using it for non-essential things such as like hair care and growth.

7 – Food cravings

Food cravings are a very annoying problem because your tummy never really gets to feel comfortably satisfied. If you tend to feel hungry and keep craving food and snacks, it’s probably because your diet is high in carbs and sugar but low in protein.

The real problem could be that you’re allowing yourself too much high-calorie food which contains low protein content compared to its calorie count.

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6 – Joint pain and loss of muscle mass

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Have you ever wondered why bodybuilders are crazy about protein powder, whey protein, protein shakes, and protein foods? Yes, to grow muscles! Muscles are actually the largest reservoir of protein in the body.

This means that a protein deficiency can result in muscle pain, weakness, and loss of mass. According to a study, these signs are commonly experienced by elderly people. Besides growing muscles, protein is vital for keeping your muscle healthy.

5 – Nail and skin problems

If your nails are weak and brittle or have brownish spots and white bands, it could mean that you’re suffering from a protein deficiency and should do something about it.