Category: Nutritional biochemistry

Over 99% of the body's mass is composed of just six elements: oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorus. These elements form the nutrients that fuel the intricate biochemical processes in nutrition, which convert food into the energy and building blocks required for life itself.

Dr. Peter Attia, a prominent longevity physician, emphasizes that foundational habits—including exercise, nutrition, sleep, and emotional health—are paramount, with supplements serving a secondary, supportive role. His philosophy contrasts sharply with the quick-fix mentality prevalent in the supplement industry.

The human body naturally produces about 25% of its total carnitine, with the remainder coming from the diet. To understand its function, you must first know what is carnitine synthesised from. Carnitine is an amino acid derivative synthesized primarily from the essential amino acids lysine and methionine.

Over 70% of the free radical-trapping activity in serum is attributed to albumin, revealing a critical protective role alongside its transport functions. This highlights the essential function of albumin in iron metabolism, particularly concerning its antioxidant and buffering capacities.

Did you know that non-protein nitrogen (NPN) constitutes approximately 25% of the total nitrogen content in human breast milk, serving functions beyond direct protein synthesis? This illustrates that NPN is a varied group of compounds, so understanding what is NPN in nutrition requires looking beyond simple protein definitions.