The importance of bioavailability in dietary supplements-It is universally acknowledged that the quest for a healthy and balanced life often involves the use of dietary supplements to compensate for possible nutritional deficiencies. However, a crucial question arises: to what extent does our body actually manage to assimilate these precious nutrients that we ingest with so much hope? The answer lies in a fundamental and generally misunderstood concept: bioavailability.
Introduction to the bioavailability of food supplements and its challenges
Bioavailability draws the line between what we absorb efficiently and what is eliminated on the other side. It presents itself as a valuable ratio, a quotient that measures our body’s ability to derive maximum benefit from the dietary supplements we offer it. Yet understanding bioavailability is complex, influenced by a multitude of fascinating factors that shape this nutritional quest:
The form of the food supplement
First, the form in which the supplement is consumed is of paramount importance. Whether in the form of tablets, ampoules, solutions in vials, capsules or softgels, this diversity directly impacts the absorption of nutrients. Additionally, the variety of chemical forms, such as chloride, oxide, glycerophosphate, carbonate, hydroxide or citrate, influences how these supplements are absorbed or used by the body. This adds an additional complexity to consider when understanding the impact of these formulations on bioavailability.
Interactions with other nutrients
A second decisive factor is the influence of diet and associated nutrients. For example, the interaction between iron and tea compromises the absorption of iron, thus neutralizing its potential benefits. Some foods, such as seeds and legumes, contain anti-nutrients such as saponins or oxalates, which can hinder the absorption of nutrients. The choice of food supplements must therefore be guided by the understanding of these interactions that impact your diet.
Timing for good solubility
A third factor to consider is the solubility of the dietary supplement. Some nutrients dissolve in water, while others are soluble in fat. The time of day you take the supplement can therefore also influence its effectiveness, since the presence or absence of food in the stomach at different times of the day can facilitate or hinder the absorption of these nutrients. This nuance underlines the importance of adjusting the intake according to the nature of the nutrient to optimize its assimilation.
The state of the intestine
Finally, last but not least, is the health of your gut . As a crucial organ, the gut plays a pivotal role in the absorption of nutrients from supplements. A deficient gut compromises this vital process by allowing nutrients to pass through without being fully absorbed, thus negating the intended benefits of supplements. It is through this holistic lens that bioavailability finds its echo in the complex functioning of our bodies.
Rethinking assimilation: innovative strategies to circumvent bioavailability issues
Overcoming the challenges of low bioavailability of dietary supplements is imperative to ensure their effectiveness. Often characterized by limited bioavailability, these products can compromise their ability to be fully utilized by cells, leaving potential benefits untapped. Dynveo, aware of these challenges, relies on significant advances in biochemistry to increase the bioavailability of its dietary supplements. Among the techniques used, liposomal technology stands out.
Liposomes: A shield of effectiveness
Liposomes, spheres made of layers of lipids, represent a major breakthrough in the field of nutraceuticals. By encapsulating fat-soluble nutrients, this technology improves their solubility in water, thus facilitating their absorption by the body.
Liposomes act as a protective barrier, preserving the active ingredients from the acid attacks of the stomach. When they come into contact with cell membranes, they fuse and release the active ingredients directly into the body. This release induces a significant and lasting increase in the blood concentration of the active ingredients, demonstrated by several studies. A convincing example is that of silymarin, an active ingredient in milk thistle known for its protective action on the liver. The concentration of the active ingredient in liposomes in the body is significantly higher than other means of delivery. (1,2)
The advantages of this approach are multiple: effective protection of active ingredients against digestive juices, significantly increased absorption, gradual release ensuring prolonged action, and, ultimately, optimal efficacy. Thus, Dynveo is committed to pushing the boundaries of bioavailability to offer truly effective food supplements .
The final word
Other methods, such as micelles, nano-suspensions, absorption cofactors, or the use of specific transporters such as amino acids, enrich the arsenal of means aimed at optimizing the bioavailability of food supplements. However, as you will have understood, the effectiveness of these approaches can vary depending on the nutrient, its formulation and the individual needs of each person. Before venturing into these nutritional avenues, a consultation with a health professional is therefore essential for an approach adapted and safe to your situation.
References and sources:
- MS El-Samaligy, NN Afifi, EA Mahmoud. Increasing bioavailability of silymarin using a buccal liposomal delivery system: preparation and experimental design investigation. Int J Pharm. 2006
- Nitesh Kumar et al. Silymarin liposomes improves oral bioavailability of silybin besides targeting hepatocytes, and immune cells. Nitesh Kumar