The four macromolecules of life are carbohydrates, fatty acids, nucleotides, and proteins. Proteins are very essential to living organisms because they participate in almost every process within a cell. They are responsible for building and repairing body tissues, produce enzymes and hormones the body uses, and regulates body processes like: water balancing, transporting nutrients, and making muscles contract. Proteins also play a large role in metabolism. During metabolism, ingested proteins are broken down into amino acids through digestion. The human body’s need for proteins sometimes goes unnoticed. Protein deficiency is a state of malnutrition, where the body does not acquire sufficient amounts of protein in order to produce energy. It occurs in third-world countries and in people that leave out meat in their diets. Protein deficiency’s commonality also stems from unbalanced meals because of the need to prepare meals quickly, rather than well balanced.
Vegetarians are prone to protein deficiency because of the absence of meat. Many vegetarians do not realize the extra work involved in acquiring the necessary materials the body needs to function. Preparation also acquires more time in a vegetarian lifestyle, so health suffers when vegetarians do not have time to cook. Vegetarians should look for nuts, beans, lentils, whole grains, soy, peas, peanuts, potatoes, and seeds as protein sources. Dairy products are also a good source of protein, if the lifestyle allows for them.
Protein deficiency can be diagnosed in vegetarians if the symptoms are seen, but there are also hidden symptoms. Vegetarians with unstable blood sugar, caused from sweet cravings, are susceptible to protein deficiency. Blood tests are the most conclusive for concerns related to blood sugar. Muscle and joint pain are also hidden symptoms. During the fall and winter, the body stores proteins and fats to insulate and rebuild the body for the cold weather, which are stored in the synovial fluid around the joints. If someone is protein deficient, this reserve of protein will be used up by the body, resulting in joints stiffening and muscles tightening. Noticeable symptoms for severe protein deficiency may be: thinning or loss of hair, skin rashes/dry skin, weak and tired, slow healing, skin ulcers, sleep issues, nausea, and fainting.
To treat protein deficiency, red meat can be prescribed as a medicine. Red meat is the most acidic of all meats and of all protein sources in general. The more acidic a substance, the deeper it penetrates the tissues and the better it is stored. Acidic foods are important for protein storage during the winter months. If eating meat is not an option, a high consumption of vegetable protein sources are suggested.
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