Net protein utilization can be estimated from dietary protein intake and urinary excretion of urea nitrogen.
apparent net protein utilization =
= ((0.16 * (24 hour protein intake in grams)) - ((24 hour urinary urea nitrogen) + 2) - (0.1 * (ideal body weight in kilograms))) / (0.16 * (24 hour protein intake in grams))
where:
• (0.1 * (ideal body weight)) indicates obligatory nitrogen loss
