Tag: Toxic ammonia

Over 90% of ingested protein is broken down into its amino acid building blocks, not just used for muscle growth, and these amino acids are then directed toward various critical functions throughout the body. So, what does the breakdown of protein lead to? The process provides the raw materials for tissue repair, energy production, and the synthesis of new proteins and nitrogen-containing compounds.

A crucial fact about the human body is that it cannot store excess amino acids in the same way it stores fats or carbohydrates. This means that after protein synthesis requirements are met, the body must safely break down and dispose of the surplus amino acids, a process that primarily occurs in the liver.

Over 50% of the dry weight of a human body is protein, yet unlike fat or carbohydrates, the body lacks a dedicated storage depot for excess amino acids. This fundamental metabolic difference has critical implications for how we process and utilize the protein we consume. While fat is stored in adipose tissue and glucose as glycogen, excess amino acids must be processed immediately, with their components either used or excreted.