Physiological economy in nutrition, with special reference to the minimal proteid requirement of the healthy man: an experimental study — John Shaqi
Physiological economy in nutrition, with special reference to the minimal proteid requirement of the healthy man: an experimental studyChittenden, R. H. (Russell Henry)
Science
Physiological economy in nutrition, with special reference to the minimal proteid requirement of the healthy man: an experimental study
Chittenden, R. H. (Russell Henry)
Metabolism; Nutrition
Scrutiny of the tables shows that during this period of nine months the
body-weight was practically constant. The daily volume of urine was
exceptionally small and fairly regular in amount, the average daily
output for the nine months being 468 c.c. It is a noticeable fact that
with a diminished intake of proteid food there is far less thirst, and
consequently a greatly decreased demand for water or other fluids.
Further, in view of the small nitrogenous waste there is no need on the
part of the body for any large amount of fluid to flush out the kidneys.
The writer has not had a turbid urine during the nine months’ period.
With heavier eating of nitrogenous foods, an abundant water supply
is a necessity to prevent the kidneys from becoming clogged, thereby
explaining the frequent beneficial results of the copious libations of
mineral waters, spring waters, etc., frequently called for after, or
with, heavy eating. Obviously, a small volume of urine each day means
so much less wear and tear of the delicate mechanism of the kidneys.
Somewhat noticeable, in a general way, is the apparent relationship
between the volume of the urine and the nitrogen output, in harmony with
the well-known diuretic action of urea. The specific gravity of the urine
shows variation only within narrow limits, the daily average for the nine
months being 1027.
Uric acid is noticeably small in quantity, the average daily output for
the nine months’ period, based upon the determinations made, being only
0.392 gram.
Chief interest, however, centres around the figures for total nitrogen,
since these figures give for each day the extent of the proteid
metabolism; _i. e._, the amount of proteid material broken down in
the body each day in connection with the wear and tear of the bodily
machinery. To fully grasp the significance of these data, it should
be remembered that the prevalent dietary standards are based upon the
assumption that the average adult must metabolize each day at least 16
grams of nitrogen. Indeed, that is what actual analysis of the urine
indicates in most cases. If now we look carefully through the figures
shown in the above tables, covering a period from October 13, 1903,
to June 28, 1904, it is seen that the daily nitrogen excretion is far
different from 16 grams. Indeed, the figures for nitrogen are exceedingly
low, and, moreover, they vary little from day to day. The average daily
output of nitrogen through the urine for the entire period of nearly nine
months is only 5.699 grams.
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