Protein is one of the most important nutrients our bodies need every single day. It helps build muscles, repair tissues, support the immune system, and keeps our organs, skin, and hair healthy. But for people suffering from chronic illnesses, maintaining the right level of protein in the body can become difficult.
Chronic illnesses like diabetes, kidney disease, cancer, liver problems, or digestive disorders don’t just affect one part of the body — they can silently reduce your protein levels too. If not identified early, this can lead to serious health problems such as weakness, slow recovery, and poor immunity.
In this blog, we explain in simple and clear words how long-term illnesses can lead to protein deficiency, what signs to look for, and how to prevent or manage it.
Protein deficiency means that your body is not getting enough protein through food or is losing protein due to illness. Even if you're eating well, your body may not absorb or use protein properly if you have a chronic condition.
Constant tiredness or fatigue
Loss of muscle mass
Swelling in feet, hands, or face (edema)
Slow wound healing
Frequent infections
Brittle hair and nails
Loss of appetite or poor concentration
Mild deficiency can be managed early, but severe deficiency can damage organs and delay recovery.
Chronic illnesses are health conditions that last for a long time (more than 3 months) and may not go away completely. These include:
Liver cirrhosis
Cancer
HIV/AIDS
Rheumatoid arthritis
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
These illnesses often affect how the body digests, uses, or loses protein, making deficiency more likely.
Let’s explore the main ways chronic illnesses can lead to low protein levels in the body:
Many people with chronic illnesses have a low appetite due to symptoms like:
Nausea or vomiting
Loss of taste or smell
Depression or fatigue
Pain or medication side effects
This leads to less protein-rich food being eaten, which lowers protein in the body over time.
Some diseases affect how the stomach or intestines work. For example:
Crohn’s disease
Ulcerative colitis
Celiac disease
Chronic pancreatitis
These make it difficult for the body to digest and absorb nutrients, including protein — even if you eat enough.
Some illnesses cause protein to leak or get lost from the body. For example:
Kidney disease – protein lost in urine (proteinuria)
Liver disease – poor protein production and loss through fluid
Severe wounds or burns – protein lost through damaged skin
Chronic diarrhoea – leads to protein loss in stool
When your body keeps losing protein, it creates a deficiency unless replaced regularly.
Chronic illnesses often increase the body’s need for protein due to:
Ongoing inflammation
Infections
Surgery or injury
Muscle breakdown
If extra protein is not provided, the body will start using its own muscle tissue for energy — leading to weakness and weight loss.
Some medications used in treating chronic illnesses may:
Reduce appetite
Cause nausea or digestion problems
Increase nutrient loss
Change how the body uses protein
Examples include steroids, chemotherapy drugs, or immunosuppressants. This can indirectly lead to protein deficiency over time.
Chronic illness is not the only factor. Some related issues may also worsen the problem, such as:
Malnutrition or poor diet
Eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia)
Pregnancy (higher protein needs)
Old age (low appetite, low muscle mass)
Poverty or food insecurity
These must also be considered when treating protein deficiency in someone with a chronic illness.
You should be extra cautious if you or someone you care for has:
Kidney or liver disease
Cancer undergoing treatment
Severe diabetes
IBD or long-term diarrhoea
Elderly with poor appetite
People on dialysis or recovering from surgery
In these groups, routine nutritional check-ups are essential.
Doctors may recommend:
Serum albumin test
Prealbumin test
Creatinine and urea tests (for kidney function)
Muscle mass measurement
Weight monitoring and diet review
These help detect early protein deficiency and guide treatment.
Here are simple and effective ways to avoid or fix protein deficiency:
Include foods like:
Eggs
Milk and paneer
Lentils and beans
Chicken or fish
Peanut butter
Yogurt
Tofu or soy products
Even soft or blended versions (soups, smoothies) work if chewing is difficult.
Eat 5–6 small meals instead of 3 big ones if you feel full quickly. Keep healthy snacks ready — boiled eggs, nuts, or protein bars.
Ask your doctor or dietitian about safe protein powders or ready-to-drink shakes. These are useful if your appetite is low.
A clinical dietitian will make a plan based on:
Your illness
Appetite
Weight
Medication
Other dietary restrictions (like low-sodium or diabetic diets)
Get your protein levels, weight, and nutrition status checked every 3 to 6 months, or as advised.
Most importantly, manage the chronic illness well. Better sugar control in diabetes or proper kidney treatment reduces the risk of protein loss.
Yogveda Healthcare offers a unique Ayurvedic approach to prevent and manage protein deficiency in people suffering from chronic illnesses. Their personalised treatment combines herbal formulations, dietary guidance, and lifestyle corrections that work alongside your medical treatment.
One effective Ayurvedic method used is:
This therapy aims to restore body tissues, boost digestion, and improve protein absorption naturally. Rasayan herbs like Ashwagandha, Shatavari, and Amalaki are used to:
Improve muscle strength
Enhance metabolic function
Support liver and kidney health
Increase natural appetite
Balance energy (ojas) in the body
These treatments are customised based on the person’s prakriti (body constitution) and illness history, ensuring safe and effective results.
👉 If you're dealing with long-term illness and facing weakness or poor nutrition, Yogveda Healthcare's Ayurvedic treatment could be the supportive healing you need — the natural way.
📞 Visit Yogveda Healthcare to book a free consultation and explore your personalised wellness plan.
