shock! 4 major dangers of insufficient protein intake

The human body cannot function without protein, which shows the important role of protein in the human body. Many women control their appetite when losing weight, which causes protein deficiency and has adverse effects on the body. Below, I will tell you the 4 major dangers of insufficient protein intake. Women who are losing weight should pay attention!

Insufficient protein will cause a decrease in the number of basal metabolic rates, and the weight loss effect will become very poor.

Protein and the human body

The human body is about 60% water and about 20% protein. Protein has 20 kinds of amino acids. These amino acids are complexly combined to form muscles, skin, hair, nails, internal organs, immune systems, etc. Most organs in the body are formed by protein.

Most foods contain protein, especially meat, fish, eggs, soy products and dairy products, which have particularly high protein content.

Since animal proteins such as meat and dairy products always give people the impression of being high in calories and fat, many people often avoid this type of food when losing weight. However, this can easily lead to protein deficiency in the body, which will bring various adverse effects to the body.

The dangers of insufficient protein intake

1. Even with exercise, fat is difficult to burn

Insufficient protein will cause a decrease in basal metabolic rate, thereby causing a decrease in muscle mass. Once the amount of muscle decreases, the basal metabolic rate will inevitably decrease. If the basal metabolic rate decreases, it will be difficult to burn fat even if you exercise, and the weight loss effect will become very poor. In addition, hair loss, anemia, diarrhea and edema may also occur.

2. Protein deficiency is often accompanied by energy deficiency

When there is only protein deficiency, the main manifestations are edema, growth retardation, skin pigmentation and brittle hair. When protein deficiency is accompanied by energy deficiency, the main manifestations are obvious weight loss, growth retardation, anemia, dry skin and muscle atrophy.

3. Nutritional edema

When protein is malnourished, the body stores very little protein. Even when nutrition is adequate, it only accounts for about 1% of the body's total protein. This protein is called mobilin and is mainly stored in the liver, intestinal mucosa and pancreas. Its loss does not change the organ function. When dietary protein is deficient, tissue protein is broken down quickly and synthesized slowly, leading to a series of biochemical, pathological changes and clinical manifestations.

The intestinal mucosa and digestive glands are affected earlier, and the clinical manifestations are malabsorption and diarrhea; the liver cannot maintain normal structure and function, and fat infiltration occurs; plasma protein synthesis is impaired; enzyme activity is reduced, mainly xanthoproline oxidase and glutamate dehydrogenase; muscle atrophy gradually occurs due to insufficient muscle protein synthesis; due to reduced antibody synthesis, the resistance to infectious diseases decreases; due to adrenal cortex dysfunction, it is difficult to overcome the stress state; collagen synthesis is also impaired, making wounds difficult to heal; slow bone growth and intellectual development disorders can be seen in childhood. Long-term insufficient protein intake can gradually lead to nutritional edema, which can lead to death in severe cases.

4. Developmental impairment

Nutritional status evaluation: Long-term insufficient protein intake will affect the synthesis of body tissue protein. In children and adolescents, it manifests as delayed growth and development, with height and weight lower than normal children, and even affects the normal development of intelligence. Adults may experience fatigue, weakness, weight loss, decreased plasma albumin, muscle atrophy, anemia, and in severe cases, malnutrition edema. In addition, it can also slow down wound healing and weaken the immune function.

Severe protein deficiency is more common in children in developing countries. Protein deficiency often occurs simultaneously with energy deficiency, which is called protein. Energy malnutrition is a syndrome with several distinct clinical symptoms. Severe PEM can cause death in children. Mild and chronic PEM is often ignored, but it has a significant impact on children's growth and development.

How to take in protein?

In order to ensure good absorption of protein while losing weight, what kind of food should we choose?

Animal foods are high in protein, but animal protein is high in calories, which is not conducive to weight loss. In comparison, plant proteins such as soybeans are much lower in calories. Therefore, when losing weight, try to choose high-protein foods that are low in calories. Nevertheless, we still have to remind you that the composition of plant protein to our body and the composition of amino acids are different. Even if a certain amount of plant protein is absorbed, it is difficult to play a role in muscle formation.

Source: 39 Health Network www.39.net

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