The contribution of the large intestine to energy supplies in man.
Herbivores obtain a considerable proportion of energy requirements from carbohydrate by the chain of anaerobic carbohydrate fermentation producing short-chain fatty acids that are absorbed then metabolized. The evidence for this sequence occurring in the large intestine of man is reviewed and estimated to produce 5 to 10% of human energy requirements. Further small amounts of energy may come from large intestinal absorption of fat and the bacterial breakdown products of protein.
D000818:Animals; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000378:metabolism; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile / Q000378:metabolism*; D005285:Fermentation; D006736:Horses; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D007420:Intestine, Large / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology; D011817:Rabbits; D012756:Sheep; D013552:Swine
D004043:Dietary Fiber; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile