protein intake

Protein intake is the amount of protein a person gets through food, such as from meat, fish, legumes, dairy, or nuts. Proteins are building blocks the body needs for muscles, skin, and the immune system, among other things. In diseases where muscles break down, such as ALS, cancer, or severe inflammation, adjusted protein intake can be important to limit muscle loss. Dietitians look at protein intake when assessing a patient's eating pattern. This word appears on a site about incurable diseases because nutrition is often part of care for these conditions.