Why Are Some Minerals Chelated?

Manufacturers of mineral dietary supplements sometimes "chelate," or attach, the minerals to organic compounds to improve absorption in the body. Minerals are inorganic and cannot be absorbed well without the added chelated compound.

How Chelation Works

• Chelation binds a protein molecule to the inorganic mineral. The lining of the intestine recognizes the organic protein molecule and transports it into the bloodstream through the lining of the intestinal wall.

Types

• Chelation will be indicated on the bottle of the mineral supplement with one following terms: ascorbate, aspartate, citrate, gluconate, glycinate, lactate, orotate and any substances that end with the word "chelate." Examples of mineral supplements that can be chelated include sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, chromium, copper, fluoride, iron, iodine, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, vanadium and zinc.

Price

• The chelated form of a mineral dietary supplement is usually more expensive than the inorganic form. However, this form is considered to be more cost-effective because of the improved absorption.

Medical Studies

• Mineral chelation makes sense to health experts because an organic form of a mineral will always absorb more easily into the digestive system compared with an inorganic form. However, no known studies exist to prove that chelated supplements are more easily absorbed, according to WebMD. Dietary supplements are not regulated by the FDA, and there is little funding available for these types of studies.

Warning

• Mineral supplements should not be ingested with prescription medications as they can "chelate" together in the digestive system and mutually impair their effectiveness.