The Content of Constant Diets

Abstract

Thirty-five different constant diets were subjected to laboratory analysis and the values for sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus and nitrogen compared by statistical methods to values calculated from food composition tables. Laboratory analysis gave statistically significant higher values for sodium and phosphorus and lower values for magnesium and calcium than calculated values. No statistical differences were noted between analyzed and calculated values for nitrogen and potassium. Although accuracy in metabolic balance studies can only be achieved by laboratory analysis of dietary content, with the exception of phosphorus and magnesium, published tables offer a closer estimate of dietary values than heretofore reported.