Tag: Sodium cotransport

The human small intestine is the primary site for nutrient absorption, and for several key substances, glucose plays a direct and surprising role in this process. Far from being just an energy source, glucose helps absorb nutrients by powering specific transport systems that are critical for efficient hydration and the uptake of other vital compounds.

While protein digestion begins in the stomach and duodenum, the bulk of nutrient uptake, including amino acids, happens in the small intestine, which comprises the ileum. This highly efficient and complex process ensures the body receives the building blocks it needs, relying on specialized transporter proteins embedded within the intestinal cell membranes.