Poor nutrition and a lack of protein is what depletes the body of protein.
Depletion of protein from the body often occurs through the kidneys, digestive tract or due to a lack of production or poor nutrition.
When the body loses proteins through the digestive system faster than it can make them, it's called protein losing enteropathy (PLE).
Common causes of protein losing enteropathy include inflammatory bowel disease, Celiac Disease, heart conditions and even infections and cancers.
Conditions such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis damage the intestine lining and can lead to protein loss.
Celiac Disease causes damage to the small intestine that is triggered by eating gluten.
Congestive heart failure or previous heart surgeries such as the Fontan procedure, which raise pressure in lymph vessels and cause leakage of protein.
And parasites, bacterial infections or even tumors in the digestive tract can lead to loss of protein.
Protein can also be depleted from the body through urine, which is also called "Proteinuria".
When the filtering units of your kidneys are damaged, proteins leak into your urine.
Common causes of protein loss through your urine or "Proteinuria" include:
Diabetes and high blood pressure, which are chronic conditions that can strain and damage your kidney blood vessels.
Kidney diseases, which includes inflammation of the kidneys filters also known as (glomerulonephritis) or nephrotic syndrome.
And autoimmune disorders such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis that attack healthy tissue.
Liver disease and malnutrition are also causes of the depletion of protein from the body.
Your liver makes most of the body's albumin, and severe liver damage lowers it's production.
And not eating enough protein rich foods or suffering from severe malabsorption deplete the body of protein.
The amount of protein a day that is too low is when you consume less than 0.36 grams of protein per pound of body weight (0.8 grams per kilogram) of body weight per day.
The minimum daily targets of protein per body weight are around 43 grams of protein a day for someone who weighs 120 lbs.
Around 54 grams of protein a day for someone who weighs 150 lbs.
And around 72 grams of protein per day for someone who weighs 200 lbs.
People who exercise regularly need 0.5 grams to 0.7 grams of protein per pound of body weight and adults over 50 need 0.54 grams to 0.72 grams of protein per pound of body weight to protect against muscle aging.
The 5 red flags that you need more protein are constant hunger, muscle weakness and loss, brittle hair and brittle nails, frequent fatigue and slow healing wounds.
Protein is essential for tissue repair and cell regeneration, which means cuts and bruises will take longer to heal without enough protein.
Low protein also destabilizes blood sugar levels, which drains your energy and causes sluggishness throughout the day.
Your body also needs protein like keratin and collagen to maintain strong, hair, skin and nails.
Inadequate protein also forces your body to break down muscle tissue for amino acids, causing a decline in strength.
And protein takes longer to digest than carbs, so lacking it also leaves you feeling unfulfilled and constantly snacking.
The 6 signs that you might not be eating enough protein are experiencing persistent fatigue, muscle loss or weakness, weak hair, skin, and nails, slow healing injuries, constant hunger or cravings and frequent illness.
Your body needs amino acids to regulate energy and repair cells.
And without enough protein, you might feel sluggish or exhausted after a full night of sleep.
Muscles also depend on protein to maintain and rebuild tissue.
And if your intake of protein is too low, your body breaks down muscle for fuel, which makes workouts harder or everyday tasks like climbing stairs feel difficult.
Hair, nails and skin also rely on structural proteins like keratin, elastin and collagen.
And a shortage of protein can lead to thinning hair, peeling nails, or dry, dull skin.
Cuts, scrapes, and bruises also take longer to mend without enough protein, because the body lacks the essential building blocks that are required for tissue regeneration and collagen production.
Without enough protein you may get sick more often as your immune system needs protein to produce antibodies that fight off bacteria and viruses.
Low intake of protein can also weaken your defenses and make you more prone to catching colds.
Protein also helps promote the feeling of fullness also known as (satiety) and stabilizes your blood sugar.
Eating too little protein can trigger sudden sugar cravings or even leave you feeling hungry shortly after a meal.
Protein levels in your body are checked using a simple blood test called a Total Serum Protein Test, which measures albumin and globulin.
How the Test Works for protein:
Blood Draw: A doctor uses a small needle to take a blood sample from a vein in your arm.
Urine Test: Sometimes, a urine protein test is also used to check if your kidneys are leaking protein.
Duration: The blood collection process takes less than five minutes.
Normal Ranges for protein include:
Total Protein: Typically 6.0 to 8.3 grams per deciliter (g/dL).
Albumin: Typically 3.5 to 5.5 g/dL.
Globulin: Typically 2.0 to 3.5 g/dL.
Note: Specific normal ranges for protein vary slightly depending on the laboratory used for analysis.
Why the Test is Done:
Liver Health: Checks if your liver is making enough proteins.
Kidney Health: Checks for protein leaks or kidney disease.
Nutrition: Evaluates your general nutritional status.