Absorption 101: The Science of Getting In
Not all nutrients are created equal—or absorbed equally. When we eat food or take supplements, their journey begins in the stomach and small intestine. From there, nutrients take two main paths through your body after digestion:
- Water-soluble nutrients (like carbohydrates and amino acids): These enter blood vessels and head straight to the liver for first-pass metabolism.
- Fat-soluble nutrients (like lipids and fatty acids): These bypass the liver entirely, entering the bloodstream via the lymphatic system.