In recent years, there has been growing interest in the link between nutrition and mental health. While the impact of essential nutrients on mental well-being is widely recognized1, a lesser-known crucial role in this relationship is the presence of anti-nutrients in our diet2.
Anti-nutrients are components in your diet such as phytates and oxalates that can interfere with the absorption of key minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, and zinc2. The impact of these anti-nutrients can be significant – just 10 mg of phytates can decrease iron absorption by up to 60%3! Just like the nutrients in your food, the mineral forms commonly found in commonly consumed multi-vitamin/mineral supplements (such as Ferrous Sulfate) are susceptible to inference from anti-nutrients3.
To avoid falling into this predicament, what can you do?
Chelated minerals are a specialized form of minerals where these essential nutrients are bound to specific amino acids, which are building blocks of protein. This binding process, known as chelation, creates a “protective shell” around the mineral, mimicking how minerals are naturally packaged in proteins. This “protective shell” enhances the absorption of minerals.
By bonding with amino acids, chelated minerals are less likely to interact with other substances in the digestive tract that can interfere with mineral absorption, such as phytates4. This has important benefits for your diet and nutrient status.
The benefit of decreasing interference from anti-nutrients is that absorption of chelated minerals is higher than their non-chelated counterparts. Chelated minerals have been proven in multiple clinical trials to be more easily absorbed and more available to meet the body’s needs. For example, a report from the World Health Organization concluded that Ferrous Bisglycinate is up to 2-3x better absorbed than traditional iron forms such as Ferrous Sulfate, particularly in the presence of phytates5.
Chelated minerals can help deliver critical nutrition to people who need it. Many men in the United States are missing key nutrients from their diets. For example, in the United States, nearly 1 in 5 adult men are not getting enough zinc in their diet, more than 1 in 4 men are not getting enough calcium, and more than half of adult men are not getting enough Magnesium in their diets from foods and beverages alone6. Chelated minerals can help deliver these essential nutrients to close these gaps in a highly bioavailable form.
By ensuring optimal mineral intake through chelated minerals, individuals can enjoy the benefits of these essential nutrients. Minerals have a long list of important function in mental health from magnesium’s involvement in promoting improved sleep7, to zinc’s role in supporting cognitive function and memory8, to calcium’s role in neurotransmitter regulation9 – these essential nutrients are critical for over health and mental well-being.
Unlocking the connection between anti-nutrients, enhanced mineral absorption, and mental health is like solving a puzzle for optimal well-being. Balchem’s Albion Mineral portfolio is here to save the day with our high-quality chelated and specialty minerals. Contact us today to hear more about our various options that can help you achieve your nutritional goals and support your mental well-being. Together, we can unleashing the power and enhance absorption for men’s mental health.
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These statements have not been evaluated by FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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