Who would you expect to be in a state of negative nitrogen balance?

In the context of nitrogen balance, a negative nitrogen balance occurs when the amount of nitrogen excreted from the body exceeds the amount of nitrogen consumed. This typically indicates that the body is breaking down more proteins than it is synthesizing, which can happen in various situations.

When considering individuals with muscle atrophy, they often experience a loss of muscle mass, which is predominantly composed of protein. This loss can stem from various factors, such as prolonged inactivity, chronic illness, or malnutrition. As the body breaks down muscle tissue for energy and to meet necessary physiological functions, particularly in the absence of sufficient dietary protein to support new tissue synthesis, the individual enters a state of negative nitrogen balance.

In contrast, professional athletes generally maintain a positive or neutral nitrogen balance to support muscle repair, recovery, and growth due to their increased protein requirements. A patient with a high protein diet is more likely to remain in a neutral or positive nitrogen balance, as their protein intake typically supports anabolism. Individuals undergoing weight loss can experience variable nitrogen balance depending on their dietary protein intake and overall caloric deficit; however, they do not necessarily enter a negative nitrogen balance unless protein intake is insufficient while still losing significant lean body mass.

Thus, the state of negative nitrogen balance is