Question

Discuss the factors which can alter nitrogen balance in body. What are the limitations of a 24hour urine collection and diet analysis in the accurate determination of nitrogen balance?

Answer 1

Ans) Nitrogen Balance:

- Nitrogen balance is a measure of nitrogen input minus nitrogen output.

- Nitrogen Balance = Nitrogen intake - Nitrogen loss.

- Sources of nitrogen intake include meat, dairy, eggs, nuts and legumes, and grains and cereals.

- Examples of nitrogen losses include urine, feces, sweat, hair, and skin.

Factors which can alter Nitrogen Balance in body:

- Insufficient caloric intake, lack of non-essential nitrogen, potassium depletion, corticosteroid administration, infection or cardiac insufficiency.

- The “limitation of efficacy” of nutrition support during stress is because nutrition support predominately influences Nitrogen Balance by improving protein synthesis(anabolism), but its positive effect is insufficient to overcome the marked protein catabolism associated with major catabolic stress due to multiple trauma, thermal injury, or sepsis.

- To obtain accurate results, a detailed 24-hour food intake record must be kept. All urine must be collected for the same 24-hour period. Urinary incontinence and other difficulties can render nitrogen balance a relatively impractical test in certain populations.