http://www.promaxnutrition.com | Protein deficiency can cause a number of adverse health conditions and hinder your efforts in the gym. The signs of protein deficiency are subtle, but detectable if you’re aware of them.

1. Know the Eight Subtle Signs of Protein Deficiency
Protein deficiency can undermine every bit of progress you make in the gym, and make you
more susceptible to injury and illness. Learning to recognize the signs of protein deficiency, and
how to remedy them with dietary changes such as eating a quick protein energy bar snack after a
workout, can help ensure you’re not taking two steps forward and one step back in the gym.
Protein is a must-have nutrient, as every system in your body uses it as a source of energy and
building block. Protein helps build muscles, heal wounds, facilitate immune function, and much
more. Lack of adequate protein is a key cause of malnutrition in developing countries, and, even
in the U.S., unhealthy diets can lead to protein deficiencies.
Identifying protein deficiency can be difficult, as many people eat quite well without ever
realizing they are not getting enough protein.
Muscle wasting – Lack of adequate protein consumption can result in soreness,
weakness, and cramping of the muscles. Protein helps facilitate muscle growth and
durability. When you aren’t eating enough protein, your lean muscle mass decreases, as
does your muscle strength and function.
Sleep problems – Unstable blood sugar levels caused by protein deficiency can result in
poor sleep patterns.
Hair loss – Protein is a critical component of healthy hair growth. If you’re not getting
enough protein in your diet, your hair may easily fall out or become dry and brittle.
Frequent illness – As mentioned before, protein helps amp up the immune system,
allowing your body to fight off bacteria and viruses. If you’re not getting enough protein,
your body will have a diminished number of white blood cells, leaving you vulnerable to
infection.
Skin and nail problems – Protein helps skin and nails regenerate. If your diet lacks
protein, it’s very likely that you’ll see changes in your skin and nails. Your skin may
become light and sunburn easily, and you may also be prone to rashes and flaking. If cuts
and scratches heal slowly, this is another sign of protein deficiency.
Gastrointestinal issues – A lack of protein in your diet can result in quite a bit of
distress, including nausea, lack of appetite, and diarrhea. Protein is essential for
transporting nutrients throughout the body, so when you’re not getting enough protein,
chances are that you’re not efficiently processing other nutrients you consume.
Edema – Because protein aids in maintaining a proper fluid and electrolyte balance,
protein deficiency can result in a condition known as edema. Edema occurs when fluid
accumulates in various tissues and cavities of the body, resulting in swelling. Edema
typically affects the abdomen, ankles, and feet.
Trouble focusing – A lack of protein frequently contributes to “brain fog;” that is, poor
concentration, difficulty in learning new information, and low motivation. Low protein
levels result in a decrease in the neurotransmitters needed for optimal cognitive function.
The good news is that even if you have a protein deficiency, getting your body back in sync is
easy. Increasing your protein intake with sports nutrition bars, including Promax Nutrition’s line

2. of vegetarian protein bars, can help re-balance your diet. Specially formulated for a variety of
dietary needs, Promax Nutrition’s protein energy bars taste great and have the nutrients you need
to avoid protein deficiency.