Most adults lose muscle mass as they become older and are less efficient at using dietary protein to build muscle.

Symptoms can be initiated by a dietary protein load, infection or fever.

During the dry season, they also use fishing to supplement their dietary protein.

In general, this can be managed with a reduction in dietary protein and medication that reduces the absorption of nitrogen.

The physical health of local communities has been diminished from this loss of shellfish populations, as they provided an essential source of dietary protein.