Mineral Absorption and the Human Body

•Essential Minerals

Calcium

Phosphorus

Magnesium

•Trace Minerals

Iron	Zinc	Copper
Manganese	Selenium	Boron
Chromium	Cobalt	Molybdenum
Vanadium	Nickel	Lithium
Iodine	Fluoride

 

Absorption of Minerals

• •Process which nutrients are passed into the bloodstream

• •Depends upon:

–Different minerals 

–Different absorption rates

–Diet

–Elimination rate

–Condition of the intestine

–Choosing the right mineral balance and form of mineral

•Diet – Major Factor

• Soil depletion & demineralization of many foods lack mineral
• Processed foods, excess proteins and refined sugars need extra minerals stored in body to digest and remove them
• Removal requires enzymes, which then need minerals such as zinc, chromium & copper to work
• This cycle then promotes mineral deficiency
• Milk, alcohol, dairy products, drugs and high fiver diet inhibit absorption of minerals

•Secondary Deficiency

• Another cause of poor mineral absorption
• Excess of one mineral causes deficiency in another
• Minerals compete for same binding site

–Example: Iron, Copper and Zinc

–Copper needed for conversion of iron to hemoglobin – if there is too much zinc, then less iron available for conversion

•Prescription Drugs

• Assists with deficiency of minerals
• Antibiotics, Tylenol, Advil, Motrin & Aspirin inhibit absorption 

–Especially Zinc, Chromium & Calcium

• Body also draws on minerals when trying to metabolize the drugs

•Bioavailability

• Minerals must be in a form that can make it to cells.
• Precursor to absorption
• Supplements come in different forms:

–Elemental, ionic, colloidal and chelated

•Elemental minerals  

•  cheapest to produce – most common form

–Only 1%-8% of mineral is absorbed by body

•Ionic minerals 

•  - ionic means in the form of ions
• •Ions are incomplete unstable molecule that wants to bind with another molecule
• •Are absorbed by becoming attached or chelated w/ special carrier proteins in intestine wall
• –To do this, energy is needed
• –Require acidic environment
• •Proper pH and right area of intestine is needed

•Colloidal Mineral 

•  – minerals suspended in a solution
• •Theory that they are easier to absorb because they are suspended in a liquid solution
• •Research on theory has not be tested or proven

•Chelate 

 – Greek work meaning ‘claw’.

–Mineral is bound up with or attached with carrier molecule

•Certain pairs of amino acids (dipeptides) are easiest to absorb

–Bond is tighter than ionic minerals

–Absorb faster, easier and needs less metabolic energy

•Types of Chelates:

•Binding substance of a chelate is usually an acid  - preferably amino acid or organic acid

–Citic acid/ citrate

–Malic acid/ malate

–Picolinic acid/ picolinate

•Sometimes see “amino acid chelate”

–Means mineral mixed w/ protein source, such as soy (not a true amino acid or organic acid)

–Is not a true “hypoallergenic” supplement

•Bad Chelates:

–Fiber contains phytates

–Tea which contains tannins

–Rhubarb which contains oxalates

•Will bind the minerals in body to themselves the same way amino acids do

–Minerals not being absorbed by body, but excreted instead

•Factors that help mineral absorption:

• Form of mineral ingested
• Small particle size
• Solubility
• Ascorbic acid
• Good intestinal state

Factors that slow down absorption:

• Oxalic acid
• Phytic Acid
• Fiber
• Sodium
• Tannins
• Caffeine
• Protein
• Fat
• Antacids
• Rapid transit time
• Malabsorption syndrome
• Precipitation by alkalinization
• Other minerals 
• Hormones
• Nutritional status