Nitrogen and sulphur elimination in 24 hours urine by elderly Indians.

Urinary output of N2-urea, creatinine, uric acid, ammonia and organic and inorganic SO3 were repeatedly examined in healthy vegetarian subjects in Bombay--35 elderly and 2 young. Their routine diet examined for a week indicated an average intake of 56 g proteins (15 g animal) and excretion of about 8 g N2, 0.75 g of SO3 both in young and old subjects. These are much lower than figures reported for Europeans taking protein rich diets. Two elderly subjects supplemented their protein intake to 95 g/day (50 g animal) for 3 weeks. A progressive rise in the outputs of N2 and SO3 with increasing protein intakes was seen. SO3 estimation like that of N2 (urea) is indicative of the protein consumption of a person, but the estimations of urea output per day being easier are to be preferred.