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The Interpretation of Human Serum Protein Values in Central America and Panama
Summary
- 1.Serum protein levels cannot be used for the detection of mild to moderate degrees of protein deficiency in humans.
- 2.Factors other than protein intake per se can bring about an increase in serum protein levels above normal averages even in the presence of mild to moderate protein deficiency as determined by diet interview or clinical examination.
- 3.Neither racial differences, altitude differences, nor simple dehydration explain globulin fractions.
- 4.The influence of endemic goiter and the high proportion of vegetable protein in the diet should be investigated in relation to it.
- 5.The increase in serum proteins appears to be an increase in both albumin and globulin fractions.
- 6.These phenomena of high serum protein values in the presence of mild to moderate protein deficiency are of special significance for tropical and subtropical regions.
Author Notes
Chief, Nutrition Section, Pan American Sanitary Bureau, and Director, Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panamá. Work in Rochester and Panamá was done during the tenure of a Merck National Research Council fellowship in the Natural Sciences.
Chief, Micro-Analysis Laboratory, Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panamá.
Chief, Special Protein Section, Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panamá.