Understanding Bioavailability: How Your Body Absorbs Active Ingredients
If you’ve tried several different supplements and none of them seem to give you the results you expected, it may not be the ingredient you’re choosing, but rather how well your body can absorb it. Just because something has the same ingredients or dosage doesn’t mean you can always compare like for like. It all comes down to bioavailability – how quickly and effectively your body is able to make use of the formulation. Here are some of the things to consider when making an informed decision for yourself and your family.
The Science Behind Effective Supplements
There may be complex science behind it, but the concept is simple: bioavailability refers to how easy it is for your body to absorb the formulation in question. Just because two actives are the same, doesn’t mean they’re equally bioavailable – they may be from different sources, of different qualities, or processed in different ways, all of which can impact how readily the body can get what it needs. On top of this, each individual may metabolise supplements slightly differently. Age, gut health, chronic conditions and alcohol intake, for example, can all slow down absorption, so choosing the most effective version of an active is key.
Maximising bioavailability is about choosing the right form of the right active, and using it in the right way. You can also add complementary ingredients into the formulation to help to improve the absorption.
Finally, the way a supplement is administered plays a role too. Capsules absorb faster than tablets because they are more readily digested, for example, which is one of the reasons we use them for the Value Added Life family.
Dispelling Some Common Misconceptions
Some people believe that “mega-dosing” – or taking more than the recommended dose of a supplement – enhances absorption. This is most definitely not the case, and more is not always better. That’s because the body can only make use of so much in one go, and any excess is generally just excreted the next time you go to the bathroom. Even more seriously, large doses of some supplements can be harmful to your health as they may build up in your body or place strain on your system.
Another common misconception is that natural foods are more bioavailable than supplements. While this may have been the case generations ago, modern agriculture prioritises speed and yield over quality, which means that the nutritional value in our produce has been steadily declining over time. While a balanced diet will always be important to your health, supplementation can also be a necessary step in optimising your wellbeing long-term.
Bioavailability the Value Added Life Way
Value Added Life supplements incorporate natural, research-backed ingredients in their most bioavailable forms to enhance absorption.
Procydin® is a four-in-one antioxidant, designed to combat oxidative stress. It contains bioflavonoids that increase the activity of certain antioxidants and act as absorption enhancers, particularly for Vitamin C.
Promato®, formulated to support prostate and breast health, and Promune®, designed to protect against colds and flu, both include Zinc Picolinate. This form of the element is more rapidly absorbed compared to more common varieties like oxides or sulphates.
Ultimately, supplements can ensure your body gets the correct nutrients it needs, but if the bioavailability of the product is not considered, you won’t be experiencing all the benefits you expect.
Researching before choosing a supplement brand can increase the chance of optimising your health, and make sure that you’re getting what you pay for. Luckily, at Value Added Life, it’s always top of mind when formulating our products, so you can be certain you’re taking the best version of your actives, every time.