Question

Taylor is recovering from a surgery. After the initial time, when she lost weight, she is now putting it back on and fast! She has decided to lower her kilocalorie intake to account for her lower level of activity. She mentioned her intentions to her doctor, and the doctor asked her to see a nutritionist. The doctor was worried about something called nitrogen balance. It sounded really complicated, but the nutritionist just wanted to know how many grams of protein Taylor was eating every day. In addition she asked Taylor to have a urine analysis done. Taylor calculated that on her "new" lower-kilocalorie diet she consumes 63 g of protein. She was told that her UUN (urinary urea nitrogen) loss was 9 g. What is Taylor’s nitrogen balance?

Answer 1

Answer:

Taylor’s nitrogen balance is -2.72g

Explanation:

Given the data in the question;  

In Taylor's "new" lower-kilocalorie diet, she consumes 63 g of protein

UUN loss was 9 g

Taylor’s nitrogen balance = ?

first we determine nitrogen content in the diet;

Nitrogen = gram of protein / 6.25

where 6.25 is a conversion factor

so

Nitrogen = 64 / 6.25

Nitrogen = 10.08 g

Next we determine Nitrogen loss;

Nitrogen loss = UNN(grams) + ( 0.2 × UNN grams) + 2 grams

Nitrogen loss = 9 g + ( 0.2 × 9 ) + 2g

Nitrogen loss = 9 g + 1.8 + 2 g

Nitrogen loss = 12.8 g

So, the nitrogen balance will be;

Nitrogen Balance =  nitrogen content in the diet - Nitrogen loss

Nitrogen Balance = 10.08 - 12.8

Nitrogen Balance = -2.72g

Therefore, Taylor’s nitrogen balance is -2.72g