Question
I am wondering if you could clarify this fact about protein. I would like to know if it is true that your body can only absorb 25 grams of protein in one go, which means that if your meal contains 40 grams of protein, then only 25g will be absorbed and the rest is excreted. Cant amino acids be stored in amino acid pool for future use or are they excreted?
Answer
The body does not excrete any nutrient that it needs – it always stores any excess nutrient for future use.
When protein is ingested, it is first broken down into its component amino acids, which are used by the body for various bodily processes. If there is an excess of protein ingested (and an excess of amino acids), these are then stored in an amino acid pool, which is stored in the muscles for future use. When the amino acids are required, they are unlocked from the amino acid pool and absorbed by the body to be used where required.
Please note that the information provided is for educational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose or treat medical conditions. Consult with your medical physician regarding appropriateness of using supplements in your healing process.
