Are You Facing Extreme Hair Loss and Brittle Nails? You May Be Deficient In THIS Important Nutrient

If you have been facing extreme hair loss and brittle nails, do not just blame it on weather change. According to experts, it can be due to a deficiency of protein, which needs immediate treatment. Protein is one of the body’s main building blocks and plays an important role in the structure and function of muscles, skin, enzymes, and hormones.

Doctors say protein deficiency happens when your intake is not able to meet your body’s requirements, which means you are not eating enough protein.

According to doctors, a lack of protein in your body causes changes in the skin, hair, and nails, which are largely made of protein. And so, when this nutrient is deficient, your hair—made of protein—suffers from a condition known as telogen effluvium.

Kwashiorkor in children is also distinguished by flaky or splitting skin, redness, and patches of depigmented skin. However, these symptoms are unlikely to appear unless you have a severe protein deficiency.

Apart from hair and nails, a few signs and symptoms of protein deficiency include:

Not eating enough protein can also weaken your bones and increase the risk of fractures. According to studies, those who eat higher amounts of protein have up to 6 per cent higher bone mineral density in their hips and spine than those who eat less of it.

If your body does not get enough protein, it begins to break down muscle tissue to meet its needs. This loss of muscle leads to overall weakness, low energy, and tiredness, despite the fact you have been resting. And so, it signals that your body lacks the protein needed to sustain daily energy levels.

If you have been constantly craving snacks, especially sweets, it could be your body’s way of signalling a protein deficiency. Protein helps keep blood sugar stable, and without it, your blood sugar may fluctuate, causing hunger and cravings as your body seeks a quick energy fix.

Doctors say the amount of protein you need to consume daily depends on several factors like your age, level of physical activity, and fitness goals. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, adult females must consume 46 g and adult males 52 to 56 g of protein daily. On average, this equates to 0.8 g per kilogram of body weight.

However, research suggests it is the minimum requirement to prevent muscle loss and chronic conditions.

So, if you are trying to gain muscle mass, the International Society of Sports Nutrition recommends eating 1.4 to 2 g per kg of body weight.

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