Are You Eating Enough Protein?
By Sara Butler
Protein is an important part of your diet. In fact, it's often referred to as one of the "building blocks of life." Needless to say, getting enough protein in your diet is an important step toward better health and wellness. If you're not getting enough, then you may notice some strange things happening with your body. Here are a few of the signs you may not be eating enough protein.
How Much?
In the United States, a true deficiency in protein is rare but it can be seen in some people, especially those suffering from an illness such as cancer or Crohn's disease. Sometimes though, people who follow very restrictive diets may notice some of the signs of protein deficiency.
The USDA recommends that people get about 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. That means if you weigh 150 pounds, which is about 68 kilograms, you should have around 54 grams of protein each day.
Brittle Hair and Nails
Your body uses protein to build your nails and hair, so if you're not getting enough of it, then these may be the first places you notice a difference. Your hair may not be as shiny or thick as it once was, and the ends may start to split. You may also notice hair loss if the deficiency continues to go on without being addressed.
You're Losing Muscle
When you lose weight, most of the time it's a good thing -- but not if you're losing muscle mass due to a protein deficiency. Your muscles are one of the first things to get broken down for protein when you don't get enough of it. Losing muscle means you're holding onto stores of fat and this could shift your body composition in an unhealthy way.
You're Fatigued
If you don't get enough protein in your diet, then eventually you're going to start to feel sluggish and tired. The aforementioned reduction in muscle mass can contribute to this feeling, but protein deficiency can as well. That's because your body needs protein to make hemoglobin, which delivers oxygen to the cells of your body. If your tissues don't get enough oxygen, then you may feel weak, short of breath, and tired.
If you're concerned you may not be getting enough protein, talk to the chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic today!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Weston, Fla.