What is the main waste product of nitrogen-containing chemicals in the body?

Urea is considered the main waste product of nitrogen-containing chemicals in the body primarily due to its role in the urea cycle. When proteins and other nitrogenous compounds are metabolized, ammonia is produced as a highly toxic byproduct. The body converts this ammonia into urea in the liver, where it is less toxic and can be safely excreted by the kidneys into the urine. This conversion is essential for preventing ammonia accumulation, which would be detrimental to health.

Urea is ultimately formed from the breakdown of amino acids and serves as a key compound in the disposal of excess nitrogen. It is the primary form in which nitrogen is excreted, making it integral to nitrogen metabolism and homeostasis in humans. While ammonia, creatinine, and uric acid are related to nitrogen metabolism, none serve the same central role as urea in the context of waste elimination in the body.