If you’ve ever taken health supplements, but never noticed a difference… Here are some potential causes for the lack of results:
1. You may not have taken the right dose. Dosing is everything when taking supplements, and many products are under-dosed. (Most often to save the manufacturer money).
2. Supplements aren’t a replacement for a healthy diet and lifestyle—they’re a support system. So if your diet is deficient in other key nutrients, the supplement may not be effective on its own.
3. The supplement may have been low quality and/or impure.
4. Your body couldn’t absorb or utilize the supplement due to various factors… Such as genetics, digestive issues, or medication interactions.
In this Sun Coast Sciences Health Bulletin, we cover four key considerations when taking supplements to maximize nutrient absorption…
So that you don’t waste time or money taking supplements that your body can’t or won’t use.
1. Some vitamins are fat soluble
Being fat-soluble means that a vitamin should be taken with some fat for proper, full absorption.
The most notable fat soluble vitamins are:
A (helps in maintaining eye health)
E (is full of antioxidant properties)
D (supports bone and teeth health)
K (supports wound healing)
And they should all be taken alongside a meal containing healthy fats, like avocado, nuts, or fatty fish… Which can make a big difference in absorption.
2. A moderate amount of carbs can also help
Taking supplements with a moderate amount of carbs can also improve absorption. This is because when you eat carbs, they’re broken down into glucose in your digestive system.
The glucose is then absorbed into the bloodstream, causing blood-sugar levels to rise.
This rise in blood-sugar triggers the release of insulin, to help the glucose enter your cells.
And the nutrients in your supplements go along for the ride!
(For those curious… Protein can also stimulate insulin release, although to a lesser extent. Fat has little effect on insulin release.)
3. Avoid taking certain supplements together
Some ingredients in supplements can compete for absorption—for example:
- Calcium can interfere with the absorption of iron, zinc, and magnesium.
- Vitamin C can enhance the absorption of iron, but may interfere with the absorption of copper.
- Vitamin D can interfere with the absorption of magnesium and calcium.
- High doses of zinc can interfere with the absorption of copper and iron.
So it’s best to take these nutrients at different times of the day.
4. Ensure you’re taking the correct dose for your needs.
Taking a larger-than-clinical dose could be harmful in some cases. And of course, taking a less-than-clinical dose won’t do much of anything.
But if you’re using Sun Coast Sciences’ formulas, you’re in safe hands. We’ve dosed all our formulas with evidence-based amounts to ensure you get the results you want.
By following these steps, you can ensure that you’re getting the most out of your supplements… No time or money wasted!
Remember, smart supplementation isn’t only about taking supplements in the first place…
But also about maximizing their effectiveness through ensuring proper absorption.
