ABSTRACT
There are three distinct biological mechanisms which help to maintain nutrient homeostasis (balance) over a broad range of intake. Consumer understanding of these mechanisms will make it far more difficult for the consumer to be exploited by the supplement industry. The three mechanisms, reserve capacity of all nutrients, and the changes in absorption and recycling rates of all nutrients when needs increase, will be presented. The intestinal and renal absorptive and excretory mechanisms in normal individuals permit homeostasis to occur over a wide range of intake.
