The aim of the present study is to examine the validity of FAO's formula calculating the protein requirement with reference to the quality of dietary protein.
According to FAO, the protein requirement should be inversely proportional to the protein score of the dietary protein. In accordance with this principle, two kinds of low protein diet were arranged, where one contained protein of low score, 67-73, but of higher amount 0.76-0.78g/kg/day, while the protein in the other is of high nutritive value with protein score 93-96, but of lower amount 0.54-0.61 g/kg/day. Each kind of diet was provided to four respective adult subjects for three to twelve weeks.
Daily nitrogen balance, 17-KS and 17-OHCS output in urine, and blood properties, especially total hemoglobin content and serum protein content in circulating blood, were determined on these subjects in relation with the days of experimental diet.
From the experimental results it is concluded that the larger amount of low qualified protein is better than the lower amount of high qualified protein to prevent an anemia and a hypoproteinemia in protein deficiency, and it follows that the FAO formula, for conversion of quality of protein to quantity is yet incom plete and requires further improvement.
Another conclusion from the above experiment is that the minimum protein require-ment to maintain the nitrogen balance is only one of the factors for evaluating the safe protein intake which can maintain healthy life, and should not be overcharged as was done previously.
In order to arrive at the safe intake, it is necessary to evaluate the necessary dietary protein to guarantee the adequate quantity of reserve protein, especially the normal amounts of blood protein and also the normal function of various organs, especially of endocrine glands.
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