Protein Deficiency and Excess Results of too little

“Protein Deficiency and Excess” Results of too little, too much

PEM n n “Most widespread form of malnutrition: PEM” “Protein-Energy Malnutrition” Over 500 million children currently suffer Most of 33, 000 children who die each day are malnourished

Where is it prevalent? n n Africa, Central America, South America, Middle East, East and Southeast Asia Can occur here too!

What happens when we don’t get enough protein? n n n “Inadequate protein intake leads to: ” “poor growth” “weight loss” “wasting” (consumption of muscle) Stunted growth is easy to overlook!

Old-School Thought n n Used to think small stature in poor countries was an adaptation to limited food We now know it’s a failure of growth due to lack of food in growing years

“Two Forms of PEM” n Marasmus ¡ n Kwashiorkor ¡ n Shriveled all over Swollen belly Sometimes patients show signs of both.

“ 1. Marasmus” n n n “Most common in 6 -18 month old children” The most available food in city slums in a weak cereal drink with little energy or protein “Child is skin and bones”

n n n “Muscles incl. heart weaken” “Brain development stunts” “Body temp is subnormal” (because of slow metabolism) Little or no fat insulation; patients need to be wrapped in blankets Often also starved of parental attention and need love from hospital staff

What happens when your body has little energy? n n n Body cuts nonvital activities “Child will not even cry for food; energy is spent on vital organs” Skin loses moisture and cracks; sores don’t heal

Disease Conditions n n “Body stops producing blood proteins and antibodies” So child is anemic and susceptible to infection

n “Dysentery: infection of digestive tract, causes chronic diarrhea” n What is the major problem with diarrhea? Deprives body of water and nutrients, causes electrolyte imbalances Infections responsible for two-thirds of deaths n n

“Preventing Death” n n n “Reverse with careful nutrition therapy” Fluid balances are delicate, and electrolytes must be restored Then fat-free milk Then fat Deficits in thinking occur for years

“ 2. Kwashiorkor” n n “Ghanian for ‘the evil spirit that infects the first child when the second is born. ’” There is a good reason why they believe this!

In these countries… n n Babies are born frequently As soon as second is born, first is weaned from breast milk Older baby receives watery cereal instead First baby suffers

Why the swollen belly? n n “Proteins that maintained fluid balance are gone” “Fluid leaks out of blood, accumulates in belly and legs (edema)”

n n n “Proteins stop taking fat from liver; liver swells” Protein loss also deprives skin and hair of melanin Skin is patchy and scaly

“PEM in the U. S. ” n Most common among: ¡ ¡ ¡ The poor in Native American reservations Inner cities Rural areas Elderly and uncared for Hungry and homeless children Patients suffering from anorexia

n n n “Occasionally caused by replacing milk or formula with unenriched health-food soy or rice drinks” Also sufferers of AIDS, cancer Drug or alcohol addicts “PEM and other disorders worsen each other. ” Causing a downward spiral.

Poverty in America n n n Tens of millions of Americans can’t afford a steady supply of nutritious food “ 14 million U. S. children are hungry. ” What impacts does this have?

Hungry Children: n n n Do not learn as well Are less competitive Are ill more often Have higher absentee rates Cannot concentrate when they are in school

What about “Too Much Protein”? n n “No benefits, health risks for weakened kidneys” Consumption of protein crowds out room in the diet for fruits, veggies, and whole grains!

Heart Disease n n “Foods rich in protein can also be rich in saturated fats” Especially red meat and dairy: greater risk of heart disease

n n n Substituting vegetable protein for animal protein does lower the risk of heart disease! “Current study: link between protein, homocysteine aa, and heart disease” Unknown whether heart disease causes homocysteine to rise or vice versa.

Kidney Disease n n In animals, raising protein in diet can cause enlarged kidneys or livers “In humans, high-protein doesn’t seem to damage kidneys, but can speed decline”

Adult Bone Loss n n n “Give patient increased dose of purified protein, they spill more calcium out of body” This means that high-protein may cause or worsen osteoporosis! “May not be true of whole food protein. ”

Cancer n n “Red meats and processed meats increase risk for colon and rectal cancer” Plus, hot dogs, sausages, deli meat, and bacon contain high amounts of saturated fat and salt.