What to Know About Protein

Let us talk about protein and the importance of getting enough protein in your diet. Protein is an essential building block for your cells. Your body needs protein to rebuild itself and protein can actually boost your metabolism.

But what happens when you don’t get enough protein in your diet? Well, there are many factors to consider and quite a range of severities too.

For example; if we are referring to the protein intake a child needs, especially an infant, their little bodies require massive amounts of protein (compared to their body weight) because they are changing and growing so quickly.

The lack of enough protein in ones diet can even negatively affect your immune system.

Here are some other symptoms commonly associated with a lack of protein:

• Edema

• Weight loss

• Thinning or brittle hair, hair loss

• Ridges or deep lines in finger and toe nails

• Skin becomes very light, burns easily in the sun

• Reduced pigmentation in the hair on scalp and body

• Skin rashes, dryness, flakiness

• General weakness and lethargy

• Muscle soreness and weakness, cramps

• Slowness in healing wounds, cuts, scrapes, and bruises

• Bedsores and other skin ulcers

• Difficulty sleeping

• Headaches

• Nausea and stomach pain

• Fainting

• Crankiness, moodiness

• Severe depression

• Anxiety

• Lack of energy, no desire to do things

How do you find out if you are getting enough protein in your diet? It’s pretty simple. Go to your primary doctor and have them run a general blood test. Make sure you tell your doctor that you are looking to check your protein levels.

If you prefer getting protein from the vegetables instead of dairy products or meat, there is a new product called "Vtein" that you may want to check out. Vtein is a 100% vegetarian protein powered drink that comes in chocolate and vanilla flavors. more info