Protein is an essential part of our diet. It is used to build muscle and body tissue, send signals throughout our body and to support the immune system. Dietary protein is even more crucial during pregnancy as it is needed for healthy growth and development of the baby. There is very minimal data available on how much additional protein is required during pregnancy. Current recommendations are based on older techniques such as nitrogen balance studies of non-pregnant adults and minimally based on pregnancy specific data. There is no scientific information regarding the amount of protein needed during different stages of pregnancy. The investigators hypothesize that the current recommendations of protein intake during pregnancy are underestimated. The goal of this study is to measure protein requirement in healthy pregnant women (19-35y)using a more quick and modern technique called the indicator amino acid oxidation technique (IAAO).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
20
Oral consumption of Eight hourly experimental meals- Includes 4 tracer-free experimental meals containing a mixture of free amino acids, calories from a flavored liquid and protein free cookies and 4- labeled amino acid experimental meals.
Child & Family Research Institute
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
13 Carbon dioxide production
Urine and breath samples will be collected during the study to measure the rate of oxidation of tracer in expired breath and flux by enrichment in urine.
Time frame: 8 hours (1 study day)
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