Dr Michael Mosley shares five signs that you’re missing a key nutrient

Dr. Michael Mosley’s Fast 800 site has shared five symptoms that could suggest you are missing a key nutrient. The TV doctor’s Fast 800 diet focuses on intermittent fasting and the Mediterranean diet to help people get fit and lose weight, and his site explains that protein is essential for maintaining bone and muscle health and stimulate a person’s metabolism.

Protein may also help reduce chronic health problems such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. People should consume 60g of protein per day, even if they restrict their caloric intake to just 800 per day.

Here are five signs you may be missing out on protein, according to Dr. Michael Mosley.

1) Frequent hunger –

Protein decreases hunger and helps a person stay full between meals. Studies have detailed how protein causes a reduction in ghrelin, and that an inadequate protein diet increases hunger and the desire to eat to replenish protein stores, something that can lead to overeating and, ultimately, to gain weight.

2) Fatigue and mood drops –

Bristol Live Reports Studies have also shown that protein deprivation decreases energy intake while increasing energy expenditure, which can lead to fatigue. Additionally, amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins, help regulate the production of dopamine and serotonin, which regulate and improve a person’s mood.

3) Weak hair, skin and nails –

Hair, skin and nails are made of collagen, keratin and elastin, all proteins. Therefore, if you don’t get enough protein in your diet, these parts of the body could be affected.

4) A loss of muscle mass.

When a person does not receive enough protein, they may begin to extract it from the muscles to preserve vital tissue, resulting in muscle wastage. One study found that it only takes one week of inadequate protein to negatively affect a person’s skeletal muscle.

5) Increased sugar cravings –

Because protein helps slow the release of sugar into the bloodstream, a lack of it will mean that your blood sugar will begin to rise and fall abnormally. The result is that sugar cravings will increase, so the body can stabilize its levels again.