When Supplements Aren’t Absorbed
If you take any type of dietary supplement, you want to make sure that you’re getting the active ingredient whether that’s turmeric, the mineral iron, or omega-3 fatty acids. The problem is that whether in its natural form in food or put into dietary supplements, nutrients can be difficult to absorb. In addition, the same holds true for pharmaceuticals as well. Here are some of the reasons why:
- Taking supplements with food is important for nutrient absorption. If they’re fat-soluble, they need fat present to be absorbed. That’s problematic if someone takes the supplement without food or is on a low-fat diet.
- I seem to always talk about increasing fiber in the diet, and we should, but fiber can interfere with the absorption of some nutrients. It may be the increased transit time or some form of mechanical blockage, but it happens.
- Finally, gut health may also impact the absorption of nutrients. Lack of enzymes, too acidic or too alkaline, or lack of a healthy microbiome can also impact nutrient absorption.
All is not lost; the pharmaceutical and supplement industries have been working on ways to help deliver more active ingredients. I’ll cover those on Saturday.
What are you prepared to do today?
