Dangers of not eating enough protein

Protein is one of the major nutritional ingredients. It is Proteins are major constituents of the human body. They are essential components of muscles, bones, immune system, blood, skin appendages, enzymes and many more. In simple words, proteins are involved in development of almost every part of the body. Therefore, proper functioning of the body requires adequate protein intake. Some people restrain from eating proteins. Vegetarians and people on diet control are the people who are most affected. Animal foods are the major source of proteins for humans. Vegetarians should eat a lot of protein containing vegetables to get required amount of proteins.

Protein energy malnutrition  is the well known outcome of reduced protein intake. There are two types of protein energy malnutrition. They are kwashiorkor and marasmus. These two diseases are very rare in developed countries. These are well known conditions mainly affecting children who are given foods which, do no contain enough protein. Children are more prone to get these conditions during the weaning period (when the children are introduced to the adult diet). These conditions are more common in poorly developed countries. Kwashiorkor is characterized by edema, muscle wasting, growth retardation and psychomotor retardation. These children usually have moon faces, brittle hair and pigmented skin.  They also develop helpatomegalya (enlargement of the liver) and other vitamin deficiencies. These children are unable to produce proteins that are required to deliver fat away form liver. Therefore, fat accumulate within the liver, causing it to enlarge.

The appearance of children with marasmus  is different from that of children with kwashiorkor. Marasmus is a result of starvation. It is common in children under one year of age. It occurs when breast feeding is inadequate. Feeding of diluted animal milk also leads to marasmus. They do not develop edema as in kwashiorkor. These children are deprived of both protein and calories.  

Nowadays, some people put themselves in danger because they voluntarily restrain from eating protein. There are many dangers of not taking enough protein. One such danger is deprivation of essential amino acids. Proteins are made up of amino acids.  The proteins you take are broken down in to amino acids before they get absorbed. There are about 20 amino acids. The human body can produce some of the amino acids by using others. But, there are some amino acids which the body can not produce. They are called essential amino acids. Essential amino acids should be taken from outside. If you do not take enough proteins, you are in the risk of depravation of essential amino acids.

Humans do not have additional protein stores. The human body always requires a certain amount of proteins. The only place the body can get proteins when you do not eat enough protein is the muscles. This leads to reduction of muscle bulk. This leads to weight loss. Severe weight loss makes your body vulnerable to many illnesses. According to livestrong.com http://www.livestrong.com/article/523735-does-not-getting-enough-protein-affect-the-immune-system/ , not taking enough protein makes your immune system weak. Immunoglobulins are major components of the immune system. They are made up of amino acids. When there is reduced intake of proteins, the immunoglobulin production also reduces. This makes you vulnerable to infections.

Now it is vivid that reduced intake of protein can have adverse effects on your body. If you are on diet control to reduce weight, make sure you take the required amount of protein. If you are a vegetarian, make sure you eat enough vegetables which supplies the protein requirement.