Diet & Albumin

Albumin is an important protein in the body that plays many crucial roles in our survival. When the serum level of albumin decreases, negative consequences may develop quickly. Albumin has been used as an indicator of nutritional status by dietitians for a long time, but new research is showing that albumin may not be affected by diet alone.

Albumin

Albumin is a serum-binding protein in the body that transports bilirubin, fatty acids, metals, ions, hormones and exogenous drugs throughout the body. Albumin in your blood serum also puts pressure on your body's cells. When the concentration of albumin in your blood serum decreases, fluid can leak out of the body's cells leading to edema. Albumin is also important for proper platelet function, and low levels of albumin have been associated with difficulty fighting infections. Albumin is made from dietary protein by liver cells at a rate of 15 grams/day in healthy individuals. The normal blood serum level of albumin ranges from 3.5 to 4.5 g/dL and can be measured in a simple blood test.

Diet and Albumin

Decreased serum albumin can be caused by inadequate dietary protein intake. However, dehydration, blood transfusions, marasmus, liver failure, ascites, inflammation, metabolic stress, trauma, burns and cancer can also cause a decrease in serum albumin independent of protein intake. If you have decreased serum albumin and one of these conditions that cause stress and inflammation, the decrease may not necessarily be related to protein intake. Therefore it is important to determine the cause of decreased serum albumin to determine if dietary intervention will work.

Protein Recommendations

Recommended daily protein intake to maintain serum albumin levels in a healthy adult under 65 should be 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight, with a minimum intake of 50 grams protein daily for women and 63 grams daily for men. Recommended intake for individuals ages 65 and above should range between 0.8 and 1.0 grams per kilogram of body weight. Diseases, surgery, broken bones, burns and other conditions can increase daily protein needs from between 1.1 to 2.0 grams per kilogram of body weight. Consult a doctor or registered dietitian to help you figure out how much protein you need on a daily basis.

Protein Sources

Complete proteins, such as those that come from animal sources, are the best for repleting low serum albumin levels. This includes meat, fish, poultry, eggs and dairy products. A typical 3-ounce serving of meat -- the size of a deck of cards -- provides 21 grams of protein. An 8-ounce glass of milk provides 8 grams of protein, 8 ounces of yogurt provides 11 grams, and one large egg provides 6 grams. For those that have difficulty eating adequate amounts of food, nutritional meal-replacement drinks provide between 8 and 16 grams of protein per 8 ounces, depending on the product.