| MINERALS…are They Absorbed When it comes to the absorption of vitamins or minerals some companies claim that if a supplement is not in a capsule, softgel or liquid, then they are not absorbed and are totally worthless. I disagree. Without question, many inexpensive tablet supplements are not broken down in the digestive tract before they are eliminated because of the binding agents used to form the tablet. You can see an example of this with the following experiment: Pour some vinegar (which is a mild acid) in a glass, then place your vitamins and minerals in the vinegar. Record the time it takes for your supplements to dissolve. The hydrochloric acid that is produced in the stomach is a pH of 2...much stronger than acetic acid in vinegar. Strong acids are needed to break down food before the food leaves the stomach and enters the small intestines. Certain minerals require an acid environment for enhanced absorption. Calcium is absorbed better in an acid environment. Digestive enzymes, most of which are made in the pancreas, aid in the breakdown and digestion of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. For people over the age of fifty, digestive enzymes are critical because as we get older the production of digestive enzymes decreases just like the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Generally the age group of people who take more anti-acids are those people over the age of fifty. Most of their digestive problems result from not having enough acid in the stomach and the food that they eat is not being broken down sufficiently. Unfortunately they take anti-acids that compound the problem. Digestive enzymes help prevent upset stomach, such as Papain, Pancreatin and Lipase. Improper digestion is a result of the lack of digestive enzymes and decreased stomach acid as we get older is the cause of a lot of illness. What segment of the society spends most of their retired “Golden Years” in doctor’s offices? How well are vitamins and minerals absorbed? When people experience yellow color in their urine after taking their supplements, most of the yellow color is from the B group of vitamins, not from the minerals. Minerals are not visually seen in the urine. Other than the fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin A, the body will utilize what it needs and eliminates the vitamins that it doesn’t need. Transporting minerals across the intestinal lining and into the cell is more difficult than absorbing and utilizing vitamins. All minerals are naturally occurring elements that are found in the earth. Minerals cannot be made synthetically. They are essential, meaning you have to get them from your diet. Our bodies are made up mostly of minerals and water. Every living cell in your body depend on minerals for proper function. The body cannot manufacture minerals. Although many of the essential minerals are required in trace amounts, it is critical that the cells have them daily. Doesn’t it make more sense to supplement your diet than to take a chance and guess? |
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