Biokäytettävissä

Biokäytettävissä is a Finnish term that translates to "bioavailable" in English. It refers to the degree and rate at which a substance, such as a drug, nutrient, or other compound, is absorbed and becomes available at its intended site of action in the body. For a substance to be bioavailable, it must first be absorbed from its administration site into the bloodstream and then reach the target tissue or organ.

The bioavailability of a substance can be influenced by various factors. These include the route of administration, the physical and chemical properties of the substance itself (like solubility and stability), and physiological factors related to the individual, such as metabolism, gastric emptying time, and the presence of other substances. For example, a drug administered intravenously is generally considered 100% bioavailable because it enters the bloodstream directly. In contrast, oral administration often leads to lower bioavailability due to incomplete absorption and first-pass metabolism in the liver.

Understanding bioavailability is crucial in pharmacology and nutrition. In drug development, it helps determine appropriate dosages and optimize drug delivery systems to ensure therapeutic efficacy. In nutrition, it indicates how well the body can absorb and utilize nutrients from food or supplements. Low bioavailability can mean that a significant portion of a substance is not utilized by the body, potentially requiring higher intake or modified formulations to achieve desired effects.