The Effect of Dietary Protein Levels on Nitrogen Metabolism in Young Korean Women

한국여성의 단백질 섭취수준이 질소대사에 미치는 영향

This study was performed to investigate the effect of dietary levels on protein metabolism in eight healthy Korean adult females. The 20-day metabolic study consisted of 2 day adaptation period and three 6-day experimental. Three experimental diets were low protein (LP : protein 44g), high protein(HP : protein 85g) and high animal protein (HAP : protein-84g). The apparent absorption and balance on nitrogen were significantly higher in high protein than in low protein diet. Nitrogen, absorption rate was about 75% for low protein and about 85% for high protein intake. The mean values of nitrogen balance were -1.28% for low protein and 0.78% for high protein diet. All the subjects were in negative nitrogen balance at the low protein intake while they were in positive nitrogen balance at the high protein intake. The mean daily urinary nitrogen excretion increased with increased level of protein intake. Urea nitrogen was the largest part of the urinary nitrogen. The ratio of urea nitrogen to total urinary nitrogen increased significantly for 79 to 85% as protein intake was doubled.