What happens if you don't get enough protein?

Answer 1

Protein has several roles in our bodies and is essential for survival. When there isn't enough protein in the diet, which happens to children in some countries, it is called Kwashiorkor. Early symptoms of lack of protein are apathy, lethargy and irritability. When the deficiency of protein goes longer, you may see poor growth, swelling, abnormal hair growth, muscle wasting, and abnormal skin. A lack of protein also weakens the immune system and so it is easy to get sick. Eventually, a person would die.

Answer 2

Your body will slowly start using it's major organs as a protein source because it MUST have protein. Eventually the belly and ankles will swell from a disease called "marasmus". This is from fluid retention, as your internal organs are shutting down and not functioning properly. Then you die, usually from heart failure because the heart is so damaged from protein deficiency.
For most people who are eating enough calories to maintain body weight, protein deficiency is nearly impossible, unless you are consuming the bulk of your daily calories via "empty" calories, like refined sugar, refined fat, or alcohol. If you are not getting enough protein because you are not getting enough food, that is called starvation, also known as kwashiorkor. The symptoms of kwashiorkor include:

• change in skin and hair color (reddish-orange color)
• fatigue
• diarrhea
• loss of muscle mass
• failure to grow or gain weight
• edema (swelling)
• damaged immune system, which can lead to more frequent and severe infections
• irritability
• flaky rash
• large belly that sticks out
• shock

Protein has several roles in our bodies and is essential for survival. When there isn't enough protein in the diet, which happens to children in some countries, it is called Kwashiorkor. Early symptoms of lack of protein are apathy, lethargy and irritability. When the deficiency of protein goes longer, you may see poor growth, swelling, abnormal hair growth, muscle wasting, and abnormal skin. A lack of protein also weakens the immune system and so it is easy to get sick. Eventually, a person would die.

Protein deficiency during childhood can cause marasmus which is quite a common disease in tropics. Then you start to get weak because your body is eating off of you and not off the protein that is supposed to be going into your body. Deficiency can cause fatigue and sometimes convulsions.

However, protein deficiency is extremely rare in developed countries, except among people who only consume only highly refined foods like sugar, margarine, or alcohol. If you're eating enough calories and eating plenty of unrefined vegetables, legumes, and grains, you're extremely unlikely to get too little protein.
Nothing will "happen" really.

You won't have strong muscles though, and you may feel weak.
You wont grow
Your body will slowly start using it's major organs as a protein source because it MUST have protein. Eventually the belly and ankles will swell from a disease called "marasmus". This is from fluid retention, as your internal organs are shutting down and not functioning properly. Then you die, usually from heart failure because the heart is so damaged from protein deficiency.
protein is needed for growth and repair. No protein could result in a slow recovery after illness and ultimatley hair/nail growth would slow and height would remain the same
you wont be healty

Answer 3

For most people who are eating enough calories to maintain body weight, protein deficiency is nearly impossible, unless you are consuming the bulk of your daily calories via "empty" calories, like refined sugar, refined fat, or alcohol. If you are not getting enough protein because you are not getting enough food, that is called starvation, also known as kwashiorkor. The symptoms of kwashiorkor include:

• change in skin and hair color (reddish-orange color)
  
• fatigue
  
• diarrhea
  
• loss of muscle mass
  
• failure to grow or gain weight
  
• edema (swelling)
  
• damaged immune system, which can lead to more frequent and severe infections
  
• irritability
  
• flaky rash
  
• large belly that sticks out
  
• shock