Long-term evaluation of the adequacy of habitual diets to provide protein needs of adult Nigerian men

• Published in: British journal of nutrition Vol. 60; no. 3; pp. 459 - 466
• Main Authors: Atinmo, T., Egun, G., Mbofung, C. M. F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.11.1988
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Body Weight; Clinical and Human Nutrition papers: Studies in Man; Dietary Proteins - administration & dosage; Dietary Proteins - metabolism; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Male; Nigeria; Nutritional Requirements; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; Nigeria; Human; Proteins; Diet; Body weight; Metabolism; Age; African
• ISSN: 0007-1145; 1475-2662
• DOI: 10.1079/BJN19880118

1. A continuous 40 d metabolic nitrogen balance study was conducted on twelve young men aged 25 (sd 2.6) years to evaluate the adequacy of a previously determined safe level of protein intake. 2. Subjects were fed on diets which they were habitually accustomed to and which provided a protein level of 0.75 g protein (N × 6.25)/kg body-weight per d as the safe level and an energy intake level of 0.2 MJ/kg body-weight per d. N balances, including an estimate for integumental losses as well as certain biochemical variables, were determined for the last 5 d of two consecutive 20 d diet periods. 3. Only two of the twelve subjects were observed to be in negative N balance during the final 5 d of the 40 d period. N balance was generally positive at 8.24 (sd 8.61) mg N/kg body-weight, thus confirming the adequacy of 0.75 g protein/kg body-weight per d as a safe level of protein intake in the majority of the subjects.