Tag: Nutrient processing

Over 1.6 million new cases of diabetes are diagnosed annually in the US, often tied to blood sugar regulation, but does everything you eat turn to glucose? The answer is no, and understanding what happens to each macronutrient is key to a healthier diet.

Did you know the human body processes over 40 different types of nutrients from food every day? The nutrient processing system is the complex series of mechanical and chemical steps that convert food into the energy and materials your body needs for life. This guide explores the intricate journey of food, from the first bite to its cellular destination.

The liver, the body's largest internal organ, performs over 500 vital functions, including processing nearly all of the body's nutrients. All fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) and several water-soluble vitamins, primarily B-complex vitamins, are metabolized in the liver. This complex organ is crucial for converting vitamins into their active forms, storing them, and preparing them for use by the body.

As a water-soluble vitamin, any surplus amount of vitamin B3, or niacin, that the body doesn't require is not stored, but instead efficiently removed. This process of elimination is crucial for preventing toxicity and maintaining proper metabolic function. This article delves into the precise pathways and mechanisms detailing **how is vitamin B3 excreted?**