Protein catabolism is increased in which condition or age?

Choice A reason: Positive nitrogen balance occurs when nitrogen intake exceeds excretion, promoting muscle growth, as seen in athletes or pregnancy. In elderly clients with muscle wasting, protein breakdown exceeds synthesis, leading to muscle loss, making this an incorrect assumption for the observed condition.

Choice B reason: Gluconeogenesis is the liver’s process of synthesizing glucose from non-carbohydrate sources, like amino acids, during starvation or low carbohydrate intake. While it may occur in muscle wasting, it is not the primary cause or indicator, as muscle loss is driven by protein catabolism.

Choice C reason: Negative nitrogen balance indicates protein breakdown exceeds intake, common in elderly clients with muscle wasting due to inadequate protein consumption, illness, or reduced absorption. This leads to muscle loss, as amino acids are not sufficiently replaced, aligning with the observed symptoms.

Choice D reason: Ketosis occurs when the body burns fat for energy, producing ketones, typically during low-carbohydrate diets. While it may accompany malnutrition, it is not directly linked to muscle wasting, which is primarily driven by protein deficiency and catabolism in this context.

Choice A reason: Brown rice and black beans form a complementary protein, combining rice’s methionine with beans’ lysine to provide all essential amino acids (about 20 grams protein per cup of each). This supports muscle repair and growth on a vegan diet, meeting the body’s amino acid needs effectively.

Choice B reason: Whole wheat toast and apple slices provide minimal protein (toast: ~5 grams per slice, apples: <1 gram). Neither contributes significant essential amino acids, especially lysine, which grains lack. This combination is inadequate for meeting vegan dietary protein needs, primarily supplying carbohydrates instead.

Choice C reason: Peanut butter and jelly offer about 7 grams of protein per tablespoon of peanut butter but lack sufficient lysine, as peanuts are incomplete proteins. Jelly provides negligible protein. This combination does not supply all essential amino acids, making it inadequate for vegan protein requirements.

Choice D reason: Oatmeal and orange juice provide about 5 grams of protein per cup of oatmeal, but orange juice contributes negligible protein. Oats lack sufficient lysine, and the combination does not form a complete protein, failing to meet essential amino acid needs for a vegan diet.