The dictionary describes minerals as solid, crystalline substances (diamond, copper, quartz, etc.) not of animal or vegetable origin. The key words are "not of animal or vegetable origin." Since the body cannot synthesize minerals intended for nutritional purposes, they must be utilized as natural elements - they must be eaten and successfully absorbed. Minerals are essential to good health because they act as catalysts for a number of vital bio-chemical reactions. They're utilized throughout the day and must be replenished. All of the minerals are different and individual.
The body needs the full range of the 17 essential minerals or elements for specific functions, including the proper utilization of vitamins and enzymes as well as maintaining healthy blood, bones, teeth, muscle, and nerve cells. Chelated Minerals are the form most-often recommended to assure proper daily intake.
What does the term "chelated" mean when used to describe a mineral supplement? Chelated basically means "firmly attached", usually to an amino acid or other organic component so that the two do not disassociate in the digestive system. In very simple terms, a chelated mineral is a mineral such as copper, zinc, manganese, cobalt or iron (there are others) that is bonded to "small proteins", peptides or amino acids. The word chelate comes from the Greek word for claw symbolising the organic molecule as being the claw and the mineral being enclosed by it. The result is a compound similar to that which the body itself produces by natural chelation.
Prime examples of chelates in nature are haemoglobin, an iron chelate responsible for transporting oxygen in the bloodstream and chlorophyll, the magnesium chelate plants use for photosynthesis.
In addition, charged mineral compounds are reactive and can deactivate other important nutrient factors, such as vitamin E, ascorbic acid, various Bvitamins, and certain medications. For some minerals, a chelated compound is better than some other forms. For some it is similar or worse and therefore a waste of money.
Both calcium and magnesium are examples where "chelated forms" are very little if any better absorbed. Inorganic compounds of both calcium and magnesium, say calcium carbonate and magnesium oxide, are easily separated and the calcium and magnesium ions are well absorbed. Selenium also is well absorbed in both its inorganic forms sodium selenite and sodium selenate.
Copper, zinc, manganese, cobalt and iron are examples of minerals that are more readily absorbed as chelates. The body cannot utilize these mineral compounds in their natural state. Zinc sulphate and iron sulphate must be broken apart and restructured to allow their minerals to be transported through the intestinal wall.
This process gives double benefits. First, the mineral is now accessible for whatever purpose needed. Secondly, the carrier amino acid can now be incorporated into a new protein molecule. It’s a true win-win situation. It’s like buying a loaf of bread, making a sandwich with the bread, and then using the bread bag to carry the sandwich to work. Nothing gets wasted.
The process of chelation results in the final mineral compound becoming neutral, i.e., containing no electrical charge. This is important because electrically charged mineral compounds can interact with other dietary components such as phytates and other oppositely charged molecules, and form substances that are not absorbable.
Inside This Issue |
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| Horses and Hygiene | 1 |
| Demystifying Chelation | 2 |
| Are All Chelates The same? | 3 |
| The Dirtiest Item in The Stable | 3 |
| Chewing Vices | 4 |