The global supplement market is worth over 159.2 billion US dollars (That’s a lot of supplements!). But, with so many supplements on the market, consumers have often been led astray or left confused about which ones they should take. Do you really need to take that supplement? Which one is best? Ultimately, this usually comes down to the bioavailability of the supplement. So, what does this mean exactly?

In this article, we take a closer look at what bioavailability means and how it comes into play with the supplements you take.

What is Bioavailability?

Bioavailability, in non-technical terms, refers to the amount of substance or nutrient that is absorbed in the body—and thus, can be used for optimal processing of the body’s systems. At the end of the day, many people take supplements to enhance the nutrients their bodies are receiving. Yet, if you’re not absorbing the nutrients from the supplement, then it’s undeniably a huge waste of money (and time!).

Basically, simply taking a supplement sometimes just isn’t enough. For example, many factors impact nutrient and vitamin absorption, including:

• Whether it’s a liquid, tablet, or powder
• The type of nutrient or vitamin
• What you eat when you take it
• Other medication
• Gastrointestinal health
  

What Boosts the Bioavailability of Nutrients?

Luckily, the most effective supplementation comes down to being smart about what you do or eat when you take it. For instance, taking calcium and vitamin D together ensures calcium gets absorbed properly. Furthermore, many doctors recommend drinking orange juice when taking an iron supplementation since vitamin C may enhance iron absorption.

In fact, consuming your supplements alongside other nutrients that would be found in the same foods is always a pretty good bet. For example, zinc and protein, when taken together, may enhance each other’s absorption and bioavailability. This isn’t a huge surprise since zinc is found in many high-protein sources, including oysters and red meat.

For further bioavailability boosts, enhancing your digestive health also goes a long way. This may mean cutting out refined and processed foods and opting for whole foods instead. Reducing stress in your life may also help digestive function due to the brain-gut axis.

For those with gut issues or conditions, finding ways to manage these is crucial to enhance bioavailability. For instance, taking probiotics, like Life Nutrition’s Advanced Probiotics, can help improve the health of your microbiome and improve immunity.

You may also want to check with your doctor to determine if any medication you’re currently taking may impact your nutrient absorption. It’s also important to note that drinking lots of water with your supplements may deter bioavailability and encourage the supplement to move quickly through your digestive tract.

Life Nutrition: Supplements You Can Trust

At Life Nutrition, our ultimate goal is to help individuals and families improve their overall health and wellness. We strive to do this by providing not only environmentally-friendly and purely sourced supplements but also by providing education regarding supplements and your general wellness.

From Women’s Everyday Complete and Men’s Everyday Complete providing essential nutrients to NMN+ helping you slow down the turns of time, Life Nutrition has plenty of options to help you obtain optimal health! Keep bioavailability in mind, and you’ll reach new heights with your well-being.