Most Americans, however, take in far more than is needed : Most young men need about 56 grams and most young women need about 45 grams, but our average daily consumption is about 100 grams.
One quick way to get a rough estimate of your protein need is to divide your weight in pounds by 3. Thus, if you weigh 150 pounds and divide this by 3, your approximate daily protein need is 50 grams.
That`s roughly the amount of protein found in two servings, each 2 to 3 ounces, of lean cooked meat, poultry, or fish.
The body converts any excess protein to glucose, a type of sugar, which is then either burned as energy of stored as fat-a very expensive source of calories for such usage.
Getting too little protein can be dangerous. Low-protein fat diets can only have undesirable results. The dieter can become seriously ill (though this is rare).
But even minor protein deficiencies over a period of time will cause fatigue and irritability, and they will reduce the body`s production of antibodies, so that the individual becomes more susceptible to infection and recovers more slowly.
And continued protein deficiency may eventually lead to anemia and liver disorders.
