Hi Martha,

I think a positive nitrogen balance is an environment with sufficient
nutrients to enable muscles to grow.
Yes, this translates to a high-protein meal.

I understand that muscle growth is maximum at certain times,
particularly when sleeping.

Apparently, what you eat is not the only variable in the equation if one
is attempting maximum muscle growth: one also has to time the ingestion
so that the nutrients are available (ie. providing a positive nitrogen
balance) during these peak muscle growth periods.

Conventional weight room wisdom states that one should consume large quantities
of carbs before and during a workout. Then immediately after a workout, consume
the highest quality protein. (Usually free-form amino acid supplements.)

As an aside, I read in a book by Nathan Pritikin that the Papau New Guineans eat
very low quantities in their diet (about 6% or less), resulting in a perpetual
negative nitrogen balance. However, this does not appear to adversely effect
their health or musculature. (They do tend to have other problems due to being
heavy smokers.)

Regards,

Roy

Roy:
> you eat. Bodybuilders tend to try to maximize a positive nitrogen
> balance just after a workout.

Martha:
What does this mean?  Does this refer to a high-protein meal?