Estimates of Amino Acid Requirements

Estimates of Amino Acid Requirements

Estimates of Amino Acid Requirements

Estimates of Amino Acid Requirements

Requirements, mg/kg per day, by age group
Amino Acid Infants, Age 3–4 mo Children, Age ∼2 yr Children, Age 10–12 yr Adults
Histidine 28 ? ? 8–12
Isoleucine 70 31 28 10
Leucine 161 73 42 14
Lysine 103 64 44 12
Methionine plus cystine 58 27 22 13
Phenylalanine plus tyrosine 125 69 22 14
Threonine 87 37 28 7
Tryptophan 17 12.5 3.3 3.5
Valine 93 38 25 10
Total without histidine 714 352 214 84
a

From WHO (1985).

b

Based on amounts of amino acids in human milk or cow's milk formulas fed at levels that supported good growth. Data from Fomon and Filer (1967).

c

Based on achievement of nitrogen balance sufficient to support adequate lean tissue gain (16 mg N/kg per day). Data from Pineda et al. (1981).

d

Based on upper range of requirement for positive nitrogen balance. Recalculated by Williams et al. (1974) from data of Nakagawa et al. (1964).

e

Based on highest estimate of requirement to achieve nitrogen balance. Data from several investigators (reviewed in FAO/WHO, 1973).