You have your own reasons for taking supplements. You may want to improve your health, return equilibrium to your diet, or have a higher quality of life. However, taking a supplement does not necessarily mean you will reap all of the supplement’s benefits. When you ingest a supplement, your body absorbs the supplement based on the principle of bioavailability. Ultimately, bioavailability changes in accordance with the presence of other materials. For example, a supplement for Vitamin D may not be absorbed if you take proton pump inhibitors for acid reflux. To help you reap the most of your dietary supplement regimen, follow these tips. So how then do we create “super supplements”?
Look For Supplements Derived From Natural Resources
Nearly every known supplement has a synthetic counterpart to its natural state. When thinking about starting a new supplement, check the manufacturing. If the supplement is a concentrated form of a naturally-occurring supplement, your body will recognize its structure and absorb it more quickly than a synthetic counterpart.
Combine Supplements With Helper Supplements
Supplements come in varying dosages and states, such as liquids, powders, and pills. Recall our mention of intrinsic factor for Vitamin D absorption. When taking a supplement, you need to know what other supplements are needed to help speed the absorption process.
Some common combinations include the following:
Probiotics and Other Supplements
Probiotics work to restore and maintain balance within the intestines’ natural flora. This means fewer harmful bacteria are present, which allows your body to absorb the supplement. Therefore, you gain the most benefit and create a super supplement.
Combine Liquids With Supplements
Some natural foods benefit from soaking in a liquid before ingestion. For example, zinc becomes easier to digest, or more bioavailable, when soaked in milk, or water, for a short time period. The same benefit is seen in Chia seeds. Try to drink at least one full glass of water with your supplements. Many people may want to only have a few sips to swallow the pills, but adequate water will help dissolve and make the supplement more easily accessible by the body.
Cut Back on Foods Known to Cause Heartburn
Since proton pump inhibitors, or medications to reduce stomach acid and heartburn, have a negative effect of supplement bioavailability, limit your consumption of heartburn causing foods. For example, you may decrease peppers, strong spices, use of saturated fats, and your portion sizes. This will help keep your stomach acidity low, which will let you absorb more of your supplements. Additionally, some supplements, such as powdered calcium, act as a natural deterrent for heartburn.
Take Multivitamin to Create Super Supplements
Multivitamins often contain combinations of supplements, which work together to produce a stronger bioavailability when ingested. If you are just starting a supplement regimen, consider trying a multivitamin first before adding in specific, single-ingredient supplements.
Understanding the principle of bioavailability is crucial to actually benefiting from and creating super supplements. If you do not take the time to supercharge your supplements through these tips, you are basically wasting much of your money.
