Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-dlnhk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-24T04:07:42.041Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

A metabolic nitrogen balance study for 40 d and evaluation of the menstrual cycle on protein requirement in young Nigerian women

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

Gloria N. Egun  and
Tola Atinmo
Gloria N. Egun
Affiliation:
Department of Human Nutrition, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Tola Atinmo
Affiliation:
Department of Human Nutrition, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

A long-term N balance study was carried out to determine the adequacy of an estimated protein requirement level recommended for young healthy Nigerian women and the effect of the menstrual cycle on the requirement. Eleven healthy young women, 25 (SD 2·6) years, were fed on a diet providing 0·6 g protein (N × 6.25)/kg per d and an average energy intake of 0·17 (SD 0·012) MJ/kg per d. Urine, faeces, sweat and menstrual fluids were collected for estimation of N balance. Menstrual N loss varied among individuals ranging from 46 to 124 mg N/d with an average of 89 (SD 21.8) mg N/d. Individual N balance was found to vary according to the day of the menstrual cycle. Positive N balances were recorded at about ovulation while negative balances were observed just before the onset of menstruation. The average N balance ranged from + 8·49 (SD 5·64) to − 430 (SD 7·84) mg N/kg per d. Nevertheless, an overall cumulative positive N balance of + 5·7 (SD 6·98) mg N/kg per d which did not change significantly with time was observed for the last 5 d of two consecutive 20 d diet periods, although three subjects were in negative N balance. Blood biochemical measurements were stable except for one subject who had elevated serum aspartate aminotransferase (EC 2.6.1.1) levels. These findings suggest that our estimate of protein requirements was sufficient to achieve N balance equilibrium in a majority (70 %) of young women. However, to satisfy 97·5 % of the population, slight adjustments might be necessary in the energy intake since subjects who were in cumulative negative N balance also lost weight.

Keywords

Protein requirementNitrogen balanceMenstrual cycleNigerian diet
Type
Protein Metabolism
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Volume 70 , Issue 2 , September 1993 , pp. 449 - 457
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 1993

References

REFERENCES

Atinmo, T., Egun, G. & Mbofung, C. M. F. (1988 a). Long term evaluation of the adequacy of habitual diets to provide protein needs of adult Nigerian men. British Journal of Nutrition 60, 459–466.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Atinmo, T., Mbofung, C. M. F., Egun, G. & Osotimehin, B. (1988 b). Nitrogen balance study in young Nigerian adult males using four levels of protein intake. British Journal of Nutrition 60, 451458.Google Scholar
Calloway, D. H. & Kurzer, M. (1982). Menstrual cycle and protein requirements of women. Journal of Nutrition 112, 256–366.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Calloway, D. H. & Margen, S. (1971). Variations in endogenous nitrogen excretion and dietary nitrogen utilization and determinants of human protein requirements. Journal of Nutrition 101, 205–216.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Calloway, D. H. & Spector, H. (1954). Nitrogen balance as related to caloric and protein intake in active young men. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2, 405–411.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Crim, M. C., Calloway, D. H. & Margen, S. (1975). Creatine metabolism in men: urinary creatine and creatinine excretions with creatine feeding. Journal of Nutrition 105, 428 438.Google Scholar
Egun, G. & Atinmo, T. (1993). Protein requirement of young adult Nigerian females on habitual Nigerian diet at the usual level of energy intake. British Journal of Nutrition 70, 439–448.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Food and Agriculture Oganization/World Health Organization/United Nations University (1985). Joint FAO/WHO/UNU Expert Committee on Energy and Protein Requirements. World Health Organization Technical Report no. 1985. Geneva: WHO.Google Scholar
Garza, C., Scrimshaw, N. S. & Young, V. R. (1977 a). Human protein requirements: A long term metabolic nitrogen balance study in young men to evaluate the 1973 FAO/WHO safe level of egg protein intake. Journul of Nutrition 107, 335–352.Google Scholar
Garza, C., Scrimshaw, N. S. & Young, V. R. (1977 b). Human protein requirements: Evaluation of the 1973 FAO/WHO safe level of protein intake for young men at high energy intakes. British Journal ofNutrition 37, 403–420.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Gersovitz, M., Motil, K., Munro, H. N., Scrimshaw, N. S. & Young, V. R. (1982). Human protein requirements:Assessment of the adequacy of the current recommended dietary allowance for dietary protein in elderly men and women. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 35, 6–14.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hallberg, L., Hogdahl, A., Nilsson, L. & Rybo, G. (1966). Menstrual blood loss: A population study. Acta Obstetrica et Gynecologica Scandinavica 45, 320–351.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Hilgers, T. W. & Bailey, A. J. (1980). Natural family planning. 2. Basal body temperature and estimated time of ovulation. Obstetrics and Gynaecology 55, 333–339.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Huang, P. C., Lo, C. C. & Ho W. T. (1975). Protein requirements of men in hot climate: decreased urinary nitrogen losses concomitant with increased sweat nitrogen losses during exposure to high environmental temperatures. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 28, 494–501Google Scholar
Miller, D. S. & Mumford, P. (1967). Gluttony. I. An experimental study of overeating low or high protein diets. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 20, 1212–1222.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Yoshimura, H. (1972). Physiological effect of protein deficiency with special reference to evaluation of protein nutrition and protein requirement. World Review of Nutrition and Dietetics 14, 100–133.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed