Sodium benzoate

What it isA nitrogen scavenger that conjugates with glycine to form hippurate, which the kidney excretes — carrying nitrogen out of the body without the urea cycle.

Why this onePaired with sodium phenylacetate it is the emergency treatment for hyperammonemia in urea cycle disorders, providing an alternative disposal route when the cycle is blocked.

What limits itIt removes nitrogen at the cost of a large sodium load, depletes glycine and carnitine, and is also familiar as a food preservative, which invites confusion with the therapeutic use.