Maintaining Nitrogen Balance in the Body

Nitrogen balance is the equilibrium between the amount of nitrogen we take in through dietary protein and the amount we excrete from our bodies, mainly in the urine. Maintaining this balance is vital for growth, repair and overall health.

When we eat food, our body gets to work digesting it. Proteins in foods like meat and beans are broken down by special protease enzymes and converted to amino acids. This happens in our stomach and small intestine.

Our bodies constantly undergo protein turnover, which involves the breakdown of existing proteins and the synthesis of new proteins. This turnover leads to a continual release of nitrogen from the breakdown of protein and the following uptake of nitrogen during protein synthesis. There are two main states of nitrogen balance:

  • Positive nitrogen balance – This occurs when the amount of nitrogen taken in exceeds the amount excreted
  • Negative nitrogen balance – This occurs when the amount of nitrogen excreted exceeds the amount taken in

But what happens if we eat more protein than our body needs? Well, our body can’t store proteins or amino acids, so it needs to get rid of the excess. These excess amino acids are transported from the small intestine to the liver, which acts as a control centre for amino acids. 

The Liver: Amino Acid Control Centre

The liver has a special job when it comes to handling these excess amino acids. It performs a process called deamination, where it breaks down the amino acids.

During this process, a substance called ammonia is formed. But there’s a problem – ammonia is highly toxic! Our bodies can’t let it build up, so the liver quickly converts it into a safer substance called urea.

From the Liver to the Kidneys

Once the ammonia has been converted to urea, it’s time for it to leave the body. Urea and water are released from the liver cells into the bloodstream. From there, they are transported to the kidneys where the blood is filtered and the urea is passed out of the body in the urine.

Factors Influencing Nitrogen Balance

The following factors influence nitrogen balance:

  • Dietary Protein Intake – Consuming protein-rich foods, such as lean meats, fish, eggs, legumes and dairy products, is crucial for maintaining nitrogen balance. These foods provide the necessary amino acids, which contain nitrogen, for protein synthesis.
  • Hormonal Regulation – Hormones like insulin, growth hormone, and testosterone play significant roles in regulating protein synthesis and breakdown. They influence the rate of protein turnover, thereby impacting nitrogen balance.
  • Exercise and Physical Activity – Regular exercise, such as strength training or sports, stimulates protein synthesis and helps maintain a positive nitrogen balance. Conversely, extended periods of inactivity or immobilisation may result in muscle atrophy (thinning or loss of muscle tissue) and a negative nitrogen balance.

Maintaining nitrogen balance in the body is all about managing proteins and safely removing excess amino acids. It’s a delicate process involving several organs working together. The key is balance and control!