A clinical nutritionist wants to increase the rate at which dietary amino acids enter the body's amino acid pool after a high‑protein meal. Which dietary or physiological strategy is most likely to increase the speed of appearance of single amino acids in the bloodstream?

• A. Provide proteins that are already partially hydrolyzed (e.g., predigested protein hydrolysates) and ensure normal gastric acidity so that digestion in stomach and small intestine produces single amino acids more rapidly for absorption.
• B. Increase intake of neutralizing antacids so that gastric pH rises; this promotes more efficient pepsin action and therefore faster production of absorbable amino acids in the small intestine.
• C. Take broad‑spectrum protease inhibitors before eating so that proteins remain intact and then are absorbed whole, which increases amino acid appearance in the bloodstream by bypassing digestion.
• D. Consume large amounts of insoluble fiber with the protein to slow gastric emptying and protease action, because slower transit increases time for absorption and therefore increases the speed of appearance of amino acids in blood.

Answer: (A)