Is nitrogen balance negative during pregnancy?
During growth, pregnancy, lactation, and recovery from convalescence, the body is in positive nitrogen balance since it is retaining nitrogen for the purpose of synthesizing new protein tissues.
Which person is in negative nitrogen balance?
A person is said to be in nitrogen balance when the nitrogen input equals the amount of nitrogen used and excreted (Table 6.4. 1). A person is in negative nitrogen balance when the amount of excreted nitrogen is greater than that consumed, meaning that the body is breaking down more protein to meet its demands.
How do I know if my nitrogen balance is negative?
If the urinary nitrogen balance is positive, the patient is metabolizing sufficient protein, and as a result, nitrogen is excreted in the urine. A urinary urea nitrogen value less than zero indicates a negative nitrogen balance, which is an indication that the patient needs a higher protein intake.
Where does negative nitrogen balance occur?
A negative nitrogen balance may occur during physical or emotional stress, starvation, when an individual is on a very low calorie diet, or when the quality of protein is poor (e.g. when the diet is lacking essential amino acids).
What is the meaning of negative nitrogen balance?
negative nitrogen balance. Quick Reference. A condition in which protein catabolism (breakdown) exceeds protein anabolism (synthesis) resulting in tissues losing protein faster than it can be replaced.
What are the effects of a negative energy balance?
These include inadequate protein or energy intakes, imbalance in the nonessential/essential AA ratio, accelerated protein catabolism, and excessive diarrhea. A negative energy balance may have a negative and direct effect on the protein synthesis rate and, consequently, on SM mass. Darla Shores MD,
How does the balance of nitrogen in the body work?
Nitrogen balance reflects the equilibrium between protein intake and losses. Stress produces nitrogen losses, driven by the catabolic actions of cortisol and epinephrine. Skeletal muscle breakdown provides substrate for gluconeogenesis and also releases nonessential amino acids that are excreted in the urine as urea.
Why do we lose more nitrogen than we take in?
Starving, immobilized, and severely ill people, in contrast, break down tissue protein and lose more nitrogen than they take in; they are said to be in negative nitrogen balance. Glucagon, catecholamines, cortisol, thyroid hormones, and cytokines promote the breakdown of tissue protein and its use for gluconeogensis.