Digestion and Absorption of major Nutrients
For the assimilation of nutrients by the body, the bulk of the foodstuffs must first undergo mastication and digestion.
In this process, polymeric substances such as starches, proteins and triglycerides are broken down into their “building blocks” of monomeric sugars, amino acids, fatty acids, etc.
With the exception of most vitamins and inorganic substituent, this digestive breakdown process is necessary for absorption into the body.
It is also a factor in body defenses, preventing the potential absorption of “foreign” macromolecules.
During digestion/hydrolysis if the polymeric nutrients (especially) the proteins), the vitamins and trace elements associated with tem are released, allowing their more efficient absorption.
Digestion and Absorption of major Nutrients
