Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Low Protein Intake May Show Signs Beyond Muscle Loss
Protein is a nutrient your body needs for more than building muscles.
It also helps repair tissues, support immunity, and make important substances such as hormones and enzymes.
Eating too little protein may contribute to muscle loss and a slower metabolism.
It may also leave some people feeling hungry or craving food more often.
Low protein intake can affect skin, hair, and nails.
Some people may get sick more often when they do not get enough protein.
Ankle swelling can happen for many different reasons, so it does not prove that someone has a protein deficiency.
Eating different protein-rich foods can help provide the amino acids the body needs.
Protein supports satiety, tissue repair, immune function, hormones, enzymes, and oxygen transport.
Possible signs of insufficient protein include muscle loss, slower metabolism, frequent illness, cravings, and constant hunger.
Skin and hair changes may include brittle nails, dull skin, and hair loss.
Ankle swelling can have many causes and should not be used alone to diagnose protein deficiency.
Nutritionist Meenu Balaji recommends varied protein sources, including meat, fish, beans, lentils, tofu, and quinoa.
- Who
- Celebrity nutritionist Pooja Makhija and chief nutritionist Meenu Balaji discussed possible signs and effects of low protein intake.
- What
- The nutritionists explained that insufficient protein may affect muscles, appetite, immunity, metabolism, skin, hair, and nails.
- When
- Makhija discussed the topic in a recent Instagram video; no specific date was provided.
- Where
- Makhija shared her comments on Instagram, while Balaji was identified as working at Pragmatic Nutrition in Chennai.
- Why
- Protein is needed for satiety, tissue repair, immune function, essential amino acids, hormones, enzymes, and other bodily functions.
- Protein functions
- Protein contributes to satiety, tissue repair, immune function, hormones, enzymes, and oxygen transport through haemoglobin.
- Possible muscle effect
- The article says studies show that not eating protein for seven days can affect muscle mass, particularly in older people.
- Appetite
- Insufficient protein may increase cravings and constant hunger because meals may feel less filling.
- Metabolism
- Muscle loss associated with inadequate protein intake may slow metabolism and contribute to weight gain.
- Other possible signs
- Brittle nails, dull skin, hair loss, and becoming sick more often are listed as possible effects.
- Ankle swelling caution
- Ankle swelling has many possible causes and should not be used as a self-diagnosis for protein deficiency.
- Protein sources
- Suggested sources include lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, lentils, tofu, and quinoa.