Today, an increasing number of people prefer to lead a healthy lifestyle, an integral part of which is a balanced diet provided with vitamins and minerals, including with the help of dietary supplements. In pharmacies and specialty stores, complexes of macro- and microelements are presented in various forms and combinations, including chelated. Let’s take a closer look at what kind of form it is and why it is considered the best.
What does the chelated form mean
Contents
From chemistry lessons we know that minerals can be presented in the form of inorganic (carbonate, phosphate, sulfate, etc.) or organic (citrate, malate, lactate, etc.) salts.
Man is an organic form of life, therefore, in order to assimilate a mineral, it must turn from an inorganic form into an organic one. This is due to the fact that the absorption of nutrients in the small intestine occurs through cell membranes with the help of carrier proteins, and in order for the carrier to recognize the substance, it must be in the form of an organic compound.
Inorganic (metallic) minerals are extracted, as a rule, from rocks. The indicator of their bioavailability varies at a level of no more than 8-15%, moreover, assimilation largely depends on the state of gastrointestinal health: the acidity of gastric contents, taking certain medications, age and other factors. For young and healthy people, supplements in this form of minerals are still acceptable, but their assimilation worsens with age.
These drugs include, for example, gluconate and calcium carbonate. Due to the fact that macronutrients in these supplements are poorly absorbed, even taking high doses is not able to make up for calcium deficiency. In addition, minerals in inorganic form have negative side effects, being deposited in blood vessels, joints and kidneys, causing digestive disorders (bloating, constipation and diarrhea). Their prolonged use can lead to urolithiasis and other serious pathologies.
Organic forms of minerals are the best forms of assimilation. They are obtained when combined with organic acids or amino acids. For example, citrates are obtained by reaction with citric acid, malates – with malic acid. Their assimilation is already higher (from 15% and above), they are safer, although they have small negative effects on the digestive and cardiovascular systems.
The best form of the mineral in terms of bioavailability and safety is chelated. It is the product of the reaction of a soluble metal salt with amino acids, proteins and enzymes at a molar ratio equal to one metal ion to one, two or three (more often to two) acid molecules, with the formation of covalent coordination bonds. With an average molecular weight of 150 hydrolyzed amino acids, the molecular weight of the resulting chelate does not exceed 800.
The word “chelate” comes from the Greek “chele”, which means a claw, since outwardly such a connection resembles crab claws (acid atoms) that hold the mineral ion.
Thanks to amino acids, which are “their own” for the body’s cells, minerals in chelated form are better absorbed by the body (at the level of 80-90%) and are already ready for absorption by the small intestine without additional transformations.
Natural chelates include hemoglobin and chlorophyll, but today, thanks to the development of chemistry and pharmacology, any chelated compounds can be artificially created.
Usage and efficiency
Mineral chelates have become widespread not only in the production of dietary supplements, dietary supplements and vitamin and mineral complexes. They are also used for the enrichment of beverages, dairy products, confectionery, in the production of medicines, mineral fertilizers, fortified animal feed, sports nutrition, cosmetic products.
Chelated additives are highly effective, providing a full-fledged organic mineral nutrition with the greatest chance of assimilation of minerals.
For example, clinical studies of iron bisglycinate have shown that the use of this form of the mineral significantly improves hemoglobin and ferritin in lower doses, unlike iron sulfate or ascorbate. Given that low dosages mean fewer side effects and no interaction with other nutrients, chelates are not only more effective, but safer.
In addition, unlike inorganic mineral salts, chelated additives have excellent organoleptic properties, do not affect oxidation and give a minimal taste.
The advantages of chelates include:
- maximum bioavailability
- high efficiency
- safety
- neutral taste
- no interaction with food, other minerals and hydrochloric acid of the stomach, causing gastric discomfort
The disadvantages of chelate additives can only be attributed to a higher price, but their advantages significantly overlap this disadvantage.
Do chelated minerals have better assimilation?
Chelated minerals have better assimilation
The best form of minerals in terms of digestibility is chelated, since it does not require additional transformations and is easily absorbed by the small intestine. This fact is confirmed by various studies in this area. The bioavailability rating is headed by compounds with amino acids, malates take the second place, citrates take the third.
For example, a study involving 15 adults showed that zinc in the form of zinc citrate and zinc gluconate is absorbed about 11% more efficiently than non-chelated (in the form of zinc oxide).
Similarly, a study involving 30 adults showed that magnesium glycerophosphate (chelated) increases magnesium levels in the blood significantly better than magnesium oxide (non-chelated).
Moreover, some studies show that taking chelated minerals can reduce their total amount needed to achieve a healthy blood level. This is important for people at risk of excessive mineral intake.
However, there are other data. For example, an experiment involving 23 postmenopausal women showed that 1000 mg of calcium carbonate (non-chelated) was absorbed faster and increased the level of calcium in the blood more effectively than the same amount of chelated calcium citrate.
In general, animal studies show that chelated minerals are absorbed more efficiently. However, these results should be interpreted with caution, since the digestive tract of animals differs significantly from that of humans. These differences can affect the absorption of minerals.
Minerals in chelated form
Minerals in chelated form are organometallic complex compounds formed by the interaction of metal ions with polydentate ligands of amino acids.
Amino acid chelate may include iron, zinc, manganese, magnesium, copper, calcium and their mixtures. Chelated biocomplex forms of minerals include Citrate, Malat, Picolinate, Glycinate, Amino acid chelate, Gistidinate, Aspartat, Orotat, Arginat, Aminoate, Treonat. Some minerals have their own forms, for example Selenium – L-Selenomethionine.
All these are minerals of the so-called third generation, which are much better recognized by the cells of the small intestine, which means they have increased bioavailability.
Amino acids used for the manufacture of mineral chelates:
– Aspartic acid (zinc aspartate, magnesium aspartate)
– Methionine (Copper Methionine, Zinc Methionine, L-Selenomethionine)
– Monomethionine (zinc monomethionine)
– Lysine (calcium lysinate)
– Glycine (Magnesium glycinate, Calcium glycinate, iron glycinate)
Organic acids used to produce organic minerals:
Acetic acid (zinc acetate, calcium acetate)
– Citric acid (chromium citrate, magnesium citrate)
Orotic acid (magnesium orotate, lithium orotate)
– Gluconic acid (iron gluconate, zinc gluconate)
– Fumaric acid (iron fumarate)
– Picolic acid (achrome picolinate, manganese picolinate)
Mineral complexes containing chelate rings are more stable, since the metal-ligand compound is a stable form. This is the so-called chelate effect.
The most popular amino acid used in chelate complexes is glycine. In the case of bisglycinate, the mineral is chelated by two glycinates (from the amino acid glycine). It is thanks to these glycinates that mineral salt in the form of chelated bisglycinate has high bioavailability, as well as very good digestive tolerance.
Is it worth buying chelated minerals?
>Is it worth buying chelated minerals?
The reception of the chelated form of the mineral may be more preferable in the following cases:
✔ Old age. With age, the production of gastric acid decreases, which impairs the absorption of minerals. Since chelated minerals are linked to an amino acid, it does not require a lot of stomach acid to digest them effectively.
✔ Digestive problems. If there is pain in the stomach after taking non-chelate supplements, it is worth using chelated minerals, since they are less dependent on gastric acid for digestion.
✔ Taking medications. Some medications impair the digestibility of minerals. For example, acetylsalicylic acid promotes the excretion of zinc. Diuretics wash out potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc. Antacids reduce iron absorption. Chelated forms are associated with a chelating agent, do not react with food and have a high level of absorption.
The main advantages of chelated forms of minerals are high digestibility. For example, calcium biglycinate (Calcium Bisglycinate Chelate– – calcium in combination with glycine – is absorbed 180% better than calcium citrate. In addition, this form is the safest. The same calcium biglycinate, unlike inorganic forms such as Oxid and Carbonat, does not interfere with the absorption of iron and zinc in the intestine, does not cause calcification of the kidneys, blood vessels, joints and gastrointestinal tract.
One of the studies conducted on animals showed that chelated iron causes fewer side effects than the use of other iron preparations. Ferrous sulfate (non-chelated iron) caused more pronounced symptoms of toxicity than equal doses of chelated iron.
Magnesium in the form of magnesium bisglycinate chelate is a source of a highly available form of magnesium, where the mineral is “embedded” in the amino acid glycine. Thanks to this, the body easily assimilates this trace element. Magnesium is necessary for the normal functioning of the nervous system, muscle function, metabolism, helps to reduce fatigue and fatigue, maintains bones and teeth in a normal state. Chelated magnesium bisglycinate is one of the most common forms of chelated magnesium, available in a vegetable capsule.
Dietary supplement Iron chelate from Golden Farm is a source of a bioavailable form of iron in the form of iron bisglycinate, a complex compound of a metal with an amino acid. This chelated form of iron does not undergo hydrolysis in the stomach, is completely absorbed in the small intestine and enters the enterocytes unchanged, where the iron molecule is released. The bioavailability of iron bisglycinate is approaching 90-100%. The supplement promotes the normal formation of red blood cells and hemoglobin, normalization of oxygen transport in the body. Taking the drug improves cognitive functions of the brain, reduces fatigue and fatigue.
Calcium chelate with vitamin D from Golden Farm is a source of bioavailable chelated form of calcium and vitamin D3, which contributes to the rapid replenishment of calcium deficiency in the body, normalization of muscle function, normal transmission of nerve impulses and maintaining the normal condition of bone tissue and teeth. Due to the combination of calcium with amino acids, the macronutrient is easily perceived by the body and quickly absorbed. The advantage of this form of calcium is in maximum bioavailability, absence of side effects, interaction with food, other minerals and hydrochloric acid of the stomach.
Copper chelate from Golden Farm is a source of a bioavailable form of copper that promotes immunity, normalizes the functioning of the nervous system and iron transport in the body, maintains connective tissues in a normal state, provides natural pigmentation of hair and skin and has antioxidant properties. The chelated form of copper is a combination of mineral ions with amino acids, has a digestibility of 70 to 99%. Chelated forms, unlike conventional ones, do not cause side digestive disorders and bloating, because they do not affect the level of acidity of the stomach.
Are Are there side effects?
ated forms of minerals very rarely give side effects, which are more often associated with allergies, individual intolerance or overdose in relation to a particular mineral.
For example, iron bisglycinate chelate is characterized by very good tolerability. Post-marketing studies have not recorded any significant side effects from the gastrointestinal tract that would lead to discontinuation of such a dietary supplement. Most minor side effects disappear after the body gets used to it. An allergic reaction to chelated iron can be expressed by gastrointestinal disorders (constipation, diarrhea), black tar-like stools, itching, edema. In this case, it is better to stop taking the drug and consult your doctor. In any case, before using mineral supplements, it is worth discussing this with your doctor.