Studies on the Effect of Organic Acids on the Change of Urine Components. I

Effect of Organic Acids on the pH Values and Lactic Acid Contents in Urine

Abstract

In an attempt to find some effects, if any, of a few organic acids on metabolism, various changes appearing in the urine of the writer himself after ingestion of various organic acids were followed. With the constant diet of noodles, ingestion of citric or acetic acid was found to elevate the pH value of the urine, which attained the maximum 2 hours after taking such acid. At the same time, the amount of lactic acid in the urine was found to be markedly decreased. The same tendencies were not so marked in the case of the ingestion of tartaric and lactic acids. Considering from such results, it is thought that the ingestion of citric or acetic acid somehow affected the progress of the Krebs cycle in the body, probably effecting better oxidation of pyruvic acid, with attendant decrease of the formation of lactic acid from pyruvic acid, and the elevation of urine pH by the decrease of acid substances in the urine.