Can a food molecule absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract be stored for future use?

1 Answer
Apr 27, 2017

I would say yes, because fat soluble vitamins are stored in liver but it is not true for most nutrients.

Explanation:

You may say that minerals are also stored in bones, but bony matrix does not act as nutrient reserve.

Carbohydrates are stored as glycogen (both in liver and muscles), which is used for production of energy but the amazing fact is that it lasts for few minutes during heavy physical activity.

Fat is stored in the body in adipose tissue and this is used when needed, mainly for production of energy. Excess intake of carbs and proteins (more than what one needs for regular energy supply to body) lead to conversion of the absorbed nutrients into fat.