It is well known that too much protein can lead to health problems. However, how does it behave in the opposite case? Is a protein deficiency also problematic?
What is protein deficiency?
Proteins are among the most important components of the body. Understandably, a protein deficiency can have serious consequences. One speaks of a protein deficiency when the body has fewer proteins available than required. This can be caused by an insufficient diet as well as by an enzyme deficiency, due to certain diseases (e.g. sprue, celiac disease, thyroid disease) and in case of increased consumption (e.g. fever). Most likely to be affected by a protein deficiency are the so-called albumins. They are indispensable for the human organism and ensure the necessary pressure in all cells. For this reason, there is always also a danger to life in the case of a prolonged and clearly pronounced protein deficiency.
Causes
Protein deficiency is often due to insufficient dietary intake. This occurs particularly in young children in developing countries. In addition, diseases such as tuberculosis or AIDS further promote protein deficiency. In industrialized nations, protein intake is usually covered by food. If a protein deficiency nevertheless occurs, other diseases (e.g. of the liver, kidney, skin or heart) play a role. The absorption of protein is prevented by the primary disease. For example, a pre-damaged liver tissue can no longer produce the sufficient amount of protein. People who eat a vegan diet also have an increased risk of protein deficiency. In some cases, an altered genetic information is the cause of a protein deficiency. In the presence of such an alteration – depending on which protein is no longer produced – certain hereditary diseases occur.
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
- Muscle weakness
- Reduction of muscle mass
- Edema
- Wound healing disorders
- Hair loss
- Weight loss
- Wrinkling
- Eye rims
- Protruding bones (eg in the face)
Diagnosis and course
Protein deficiency in European countries occurs relatively rarely. If a protein deficiency is suspected, a doctor should always be consulted. Self-diagnosis is strongly discouraged. The reason for this is that a protein deficiency can be the cause of a serious illness. The attending physician can make the diagnosis by examining the blood. By means of further examinations, it is determined whether the patient is perhaps suffering from another disease that could hinder the absorption of proteins. This can be a cancer disease as well as disorders of the gastrointestinal tract or diseases of the thyroid gland. If a protein deficiency is not treated, the body will break down more and more bodily functions over time. In the end, there is inevitably a breakdown.
Complications
If protein deficiency is not treated in time, severe complications will inevitably occur. Initially, protein deficiency evokes visual changes such as eye rims, the formation of wrinkles, or hair loss. In the later course of the disease, protruding bones and sunken cheeks as well as conspicuous skin changes are added. If the disease persists for a long time, there is also severe weight loss and a reduction in muscle mass. The lack of protein causes muscle weakness, which is associated with restrictions in movement. This often causes general unhappiness and sometimes severe mood swings and mental illness. Furthermore, edema and wound healing disorders can occur, which in turn can lead to severe inflammation and infection. If no treatment is given by then at the latest, the bodily functions decrease more and more. This inevitably leads to a circulatory collapse and finally to the death of the patient. If the organism is supplied with too much protein too quickly during treatment, this can cause, among other things, severe kidney damage and hyperacidity of the body. There is also a risk of allergies and intolerances. Because of the severity of the possible complications, a doctor should be consulted immediately if a protein deficiency is suspected.
When should you see a doctor?
Before anyone can speak of protein deficiency, the question must first be asked: how much protein is needed in a person in the first place?This question alone divides opinions. Justifiably so, because the actual amount depends on a myriad of factors. Whether it is the size, age, gender or external circumstances, physical activity and a variety of other things. A deficiency, if one exists, is usually very noticeable and is relatively easy to identify. This can be identified, for example, by muscle weakness. If the body receives too little protein through the diet, it must break down existing mass, in this case the muscles, to ensure its well-being. Dry and brittle hair can also be a consequence of too little protein. Nails behave very similarly in this respect. A chain reaction, triggered by the muscle breakdown, can also be a symptom of fatigue and a weak immune system, which gradually becomes apparent. With these symptoms one necessarily visits its family doctor. This usually knows advice. If not, this will mediate further.
Treatment and therapy
The treatment of a protein deficiency always depends on its cause. If there is a deficient diet, sufficient protein intake must be ensured in the future. However, this should be done slowly and under medical supervision. The reason: complications from too much protein should be avoided. It is better to take several portions spread over the day. Those who have been eating a vegan diet should now add fish, eggs, milk and lean meat to their menu now and then. If a certain disease is responsible for the protein deficiency, it is important to treat this disease. Until a cure is found, or if this is not possible, the increased protein requirement must be supplied through the diet. If the protein deficiency persists over a longer period of time, this can lead to a failure of all important functions in the body. If left untreated, a protein deficiency will lead to death. Since the feeling of hunger decreases in old age, special attention should be paid to the elderly. A friendly atmosphere as well as eating in company can help.
Outlook and prognosis
The prognosis of protein deficiency is good. With adequate medical care or a change in diet, the sufferer of protein deficiency usually has a good chance of recovery within a few weeks or months. If the necessary protein requirement is balanced and maintained over a longer period of time, the symptoms are alleviated and the deficiency disappears. In many cases, a healthy and balanced food intake is already sufficient to achieve an improvement in health. If the deficiency is not very pronounced and there are no other diseases, drug treatment is not absolutely necessary. The change of diet is already sufficient. Despite the good prognosis, a relapse can occur at any time. Therefore, regular check-ups are advisable. In case of existing diseases or an unhealthy diet, an undersupply will occur. If there is no supply of sufficient protein, in addition to numerous complaints, a physical breakdown will occur in the long term. Therefore, timely action in the case of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, genetic defects, thyroid and cancer diseases or a vegan diet is life-saving for a good prognosis. Even at the first signs of protein deficiency, such as weight loss, hair loss, or unusual wrinkling, blood work should be done to get an overview of the missing nutrients in the blood.
Prevention
Protein deficiency can be prevented very well through diet. A combination of animal and vegetable protein should be considered. Thus, yogurt can be consumed with nuts and meat with peas. Also suitable dishes are potatoes with cottage cheese and all kinds of legumes. After that come lean meat and fish. It is known that the production of gastric acid decreases from the age of 40. This can additionally promote a protein deficiency. Here, taking a protein concentrate can be helpful.
What you can do yourself
A severe protein deficiency is extremely rare in Western industrialized nations. Nevertheless, this deficiency can occur under certain conditions. Individuals who suspect they are suffering from this disorder should definitely consult a physician. It is essential to refrain from purely self-diagnosis and self-treatment.In the worst case, an untreated or incorrectly treated protein deficiency can lead to death. Affected persons should first consult a doctor to clarify the cause. If the protein deficiency is due to an underlying disease, sufferers may be able to help cure it. For example, severe liver damage may be responsible for the organ no longer producing enough protein. Such liver damage may be due to continued abuse of alcohol or medications. In this case, the affected person should definitely go into rehab immediately and begin therapy to avoid a relapse into drug addiction. If, after clarification by the doctor, it is clear that it is a nutritional deficiency, the affected person should seek professional help. In the case of an eating disorder, psychotherapy is advisable. Provided that the protein deficiency is only due to a one-sided diet, the patient can seek advice from an ecotrophologist and have a diet plan drawn up that meets his or her needs and ensures an adequate protein supply.
