The lowest possible nitrogen requirement for one of normal weight has been determined by various methods to be from 40 to 60 decigrams per day. This quantity, however, is the actual amount that is used in the body-processes, and should be increased according to activity or exposure to the open air.
From the results of numerous experiments under normal activity, the quantity of nitrogenous food estimated to maintain the best bodily condition is about three-fourths of a decigram for each pound of body-weight; less than Amount of nitrogen required by the body one-half of a decigram per pound of body-weight would cause nitrogen starvation, while more than one decigram per pound, except in the cases just mentioned, would result only in thrusting needless work upon the liver and the kidneys, whose duties are to guard the body against the results of incorrect eating. There are certain conditions under which this amount of nitrogen may be exceeded in order to gain definite and specific purposes, but in such cases the nature of the proteid is of great importance. In certain occupations, for instance sedative labor, the most soluble proteids, such as egg albumin (white of eggs), milk, and green peas and beans should be selected; while in cases of heavy manual labor, the heavier proteids, such as nuts, cheese, dried legumes, fish and fowl should be selected.
[LESSON VII]
FOODS OF ANIMAL ORIGIN
An intelligent discussion of this lesson leads us directly into a subject commonly known as "vegetarianism." The question whether man should eat the flesh of animals is especially fascinating for those who give attention to the food they eat. There are many standpoints, however, from which the subject of vegetarianism may be discussed.