protein deficiencyImage Credit source: Getty Images
Whenever it comes to body building, the name of protein is taken first. This is very important for the proper growth of our body. Protein is also essential for our muscles, bones, skin and hair. Protein is also needed to repair the small tears that occur in the muscles due to workout or everyday activities. Children, teenagers, pregnancy and recovery from any medical condition may require extra protein so that the body can grow and recover properly. It is advisable to take more protein even during weight loss. Because during this time not only fat but also muscles can be reduced. If you take protein in the right amount, the body burns fat but there is no damage to the muscles.
If there is a deficiency of protein in the body, it can harm health in many ways. The harms of protein deficiency appear gradually, so they are often ignored, but its deficiency can cause serious health problems in the long run. First of all, the effect of protein deficiency is directly visible on the muscles. Know how to know that there is protein deficiency in your body and what is the expert’s opinion about it.
What do experts say?
Priya Paliwal, Chief Dietitian at Shri Balaji Action Medical Institute, Delhi, said that it is very important to take protein as per the body’s requirement for daily repair of the body, strengthening the muscles and maintaining hormonal balance, but its deficiency can harm health. When less protein is taken in the diet for a long time, its effects gradually become visible on the entire body. If protein is taken in less quantity in the diet for a long time, then first of all fatigue and weakness increases. Because the body does not get the amino acids necessary for energy and muscle recovery.
Include protein rich foods in your diet (Credit: Getty Images)
Talking about other signs of protein deficiency, muscles start breaking down, due to which the body becomes loose and weight loss or skinnyfat may start. Hair fall, weak nails and dry skin can also be signs of protein deficiency in the body. Apart from this, due to weakening of immunity, the risk of recurring infections increases and the wound takes more time to heal. Mood swings, irritability and lack of concentration are also seen in many patients, because neurotransmitters made from proteins keep the brain balanced. People who consume calories but consume very little protein, problems like anemia and muscle loss are increasing. Therefore, take the right amount of protein daily according to your age, weight and activity so that the body remains strong from within.
Protein Rich Foods
Protein is found in good quantity in some foods, both veg and non-veg. If we talk about vegetables, protein is found in abundance in lentils, moong dal, arhar, urad and chana dal, kidney beans, gram, chickpeas, cowpea, nuts like almonds, cashews, peanuts, soybean, tofu, soya chunks, along with dairy products like milk, curd and cheese. Apart from this, eggs, fish and chicken are also considered good sources of protein.