Hello Everybody,
Multi minerals vary greatly in quality and absorption. The chelating agent is the primary factor in determining your body's ability to utilize the minerals efficiently.
Chelated is a generic term that means "attached to". Chelates are the organic substance an otherwise inorganic mineral is compounded with to make the body recognize it as food. All minerals in whole food sources are naturally chelated. That's why minerals derived from whole food sources are so efficiently utilized by your body.
Generally, in a supplement, chelated minerals are going to be your most cost effective option. Some major factors in determining the effectiveness of a mineral formula include the formula (the amount and ratio of each mineral to the other), presence of trace minerals and other vital co-factors, and the form of the minerals (including chelating agent/s).
A good formula will be balanced (proper ratios of cal/mag and copper/zinc, for instance), and complete (comprehensive range of minerals). To be comprehensive, the multi mineral should have calcium, iron, iodine, magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, chromium, and potassium. One exception would be iron. If you prefer a multi without iron, that one is easy enough to make up through food sources.
As for balance, I'm a big fan of mineral formulas that go a little heavy on magnesium over calcium. This is based on magnesium being a bit deficient in most American diets. I look for a 6:5 ratio or an easier to find 2:1 magnesium over calcium. The copper/zinc ratio should be from 1:10 to 1:15. That means 1 mg. copper to each 10-15 mgs of zinc.
Trace minerals and other co-factors help the big minerals (macro minerals) get digested and assimilated. Trace minerals act as the catalyst to allow the macro minerals to perform their many job functions. Silica is a particularly important trace mineral. Other co-factors in mineral supplements include Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin K, and BioPerine (black pepper extract that enhances cellular absorption). All of these greatly assist in the overall benefit.
For most minerals, the most ideal chelating agent would be citrates, asporotates (a combo of aspartic acid and orotic acid), or amino acid chelates, also referred to as aminoates. There are other options, but these three are typically easy to find and have excellent absorption rates. Microcrystalline Hydroxyapatite (MCHC to his friends) is a great option but only if all the co-factors are present. Without them, it's absorption rate isn't that great.
One of my favorite products is Ionic Fizz Calcium Plus by Pure Essence Labs. It's a powder that actually tastes pretty good without any refined sugar. After being mixed with liquid, the minerals take on an ionic form, the same form found in whole foods. For a supplemental form of minerals, this one is a great option.
https://www.vitacost.com/PureEssenceL...ngredientFacts
A simple to find classic formula is Jarrow Formulas Bone-Up. I've worked with scores of clients looking to improve bone density and Bone-Up is always reliable. An excellent choice for a bone building mineral supplement.
https://www.vitacost.com/Jarrow-Formu...ngredientFacts
Thanks to everybody for sharing their thoughts.
What would be a good multi mineral supplement?
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