Three Ways to Supplement with Minerals
When it comes to mineral supplementation, not all forms are created equal. The body absorbs different types of minerals at very different rates, and understanding these differences can help you choose supplements that actually work for you.
1. Elemental Minerals
Elemental minerals are essentially metals. In adults under 40, only about 8–12% of these metallic minerals are absorbed. After age 40, absorption drops even further to 3–5%.
Take Calcium Lactate as an example:
- 1,000 mg of Calcium Lactate contains only 140 mg of elemental calcium
- If the body absorbs just 10%, that means only 14 mg of usable calcium actually enters the system
This low absorption rate makes elemental minerals the least efficient option.
2. Chelated Minerals
Chelated minerals are commonly used in livestock nutrition because they’re easier for the body to absorb. Digestive enzymes are added to bind the minerals to amino acids, improving uptake.
Absorption rate: around 40%
This makes chelated minerals significantly more effective than elemental forms.
3. Colloidal Minerals
Colloidal minerals are designed with a negative (-) electrical charge, while the intestinal lining carries a positive (+) charge. Because opposite charges attract, colloidal minerals have an impressive absorption rate of up to 98%.
This makes them the most bioavailable form of mineral supplementation.
My Preferred Supplement Approach
My favorite supplement line comes from Youngevity. As a foundational product, I prefer Beyond Tangy Tangerine, which provides over 90 vitamins and minerals—more than you’ll find in most other supplements.
It’s a highly absorbable liquid formula containing over 77 plant‑derived colloidal minerals, making it exceptionally easy for the body to use. It also includes generous amounts of B vitamins, which help support healthy nerves and micro‑blood vessels.