“Dietary protein provides humans with the amino acids needed to make their own proteins in the body, which are essential for growth, development, health, survival, and reproduction,” Guoyao Wu, Ph.D., Texas A&M University Distinguished Professor of Protein. metabolism, says mindbodygreen.

“A person cannot survive without proteins,” emphasizes Diana Lev, doctor of medical sciences. “Every tissue in the body is built on proteins.”

Proteins are made up of about 20 amino acids, and nine of them are only available in food sources. “If your body doesn’t get a steady, near-daily supply of these essential amino acids, certain proteins can’t be made, resulting in protein deficiency,” says Michael Hirt, MD, a board-certified internal medicine physician. in food

Without an adequate supply of amino acids, the body is forced to make some pretty tough decisions to stay alive, Girth adds. “Our emergency systems will break down important tissues (like your biceps, quads, and skin) and repurpose those quality proteins to repair the heart or blood vessels or produce certain life-sustaining hormones and blood proteins.”

Protein deficiency is usually caused by malnutrition, but it can also be hereditary or related to an underlying medical condition, such as celiac disease or Crohn’s disease, that can interfere with nutrient absorption.

There are several types of protein deficiency, explains J. Wes Ulm, MD, who studied at Harvard and MIT. with experience in bioinformatics and gene therapy. They are: