Protein Deficiency
  Diet, Protein Deficiency
 Conditions that suggest it
 Contributing risk factors
 What else it can lead to
 Treatment
 



Protein Deficiency: Overview
Protein is an essential component of the body. The organs, muscle, brain, nerves, and immune system are all, to some degree, comprised of protein. You name the body structure, and it probably has some protein in it. Since protein is one of the fundamental building blocks for the body, you need to ensure that you get enough in your diet. Every protein molecule is composed of amino acids. Twenty amino acids are used in different combinations to build the protein molecules found in food and in the body's structures. Nine of these amino acids are considered essential, and must be supplied through the diet. The other eleven amino acids (non-essential amino acids) can either be consumed in the diet or manufactured from other building blocks within the body.


Conditions that suggest Protein Deficiency:
DigestionIncreased Intestinal Permeability / Leaky Gut may suggest Protein Deficiency  Increased Intestinal Permeability / Leaky Gut

Metabolic
Edema (Water Retention) may suggest Protein Deficiency  Edema (Water Retention)
When protein (especially albumin) levels in your blood go too low, the colloidal osmotic pressure will decrease and allow fluid to escape from blood vessels into your tissues, resulting in edema or swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, knees and/or belly.

Nutrients
Vitamin A Requirement may suggest Protein Deficiency  Vitamin A Requirement
A deficiency of protein or zinc can reduce the amount of vitamin A released from the liver.

Risk factors for Protein Deficiency:
Lab Values - Nutrients(Very) low tryptophan levels often increases risk of Protein Deficiency  (Very) low tryptophan levels

Symptoms - Food - Preferences
Vegan/raw food diet often increases risk of Protein Deficiency  Vegan/raw food diet

Protein Deficiency can lead to:
DigestionProtein Deficiency often leads to Increased Intestinal Permeability / Leaky Gut  Increased Intestinal Permeability / Leaky Gut

Recommendations and treatments for Protein Deficiency:
DietHigh/Increased Protein Diet is highly recommended for Protein Deficiency  High/Increased Protein Diet

Not recommended:
Therapeutic Fasting is often not recommended for Protein Deficiency  Therapeutic Fasting
Fasting should not be used when there is malnutrition.


KEY
Weak or unproven link: may suggestWeak or unproven link: may suggest
Strong or generally accepted link: often increases risk of; often leads toStrong or generally accepted link: often increases risk of; often leads to
Very useful: is highly recommended forVery useful: is highly recommended for
Often counterindicated: is often not recommended forOften counterindicated: is often not recommended for




Last updated: Jan 08, 2012