ABSTRACT
Why does chelating a mineral with amino acids cause its absorption to increase? The answer lies in comprehending that the intestinal absorption pathway for an amino acid chelate is different from the pathways employed for intestinal absorption of metal ions. While greater absorption of amino acid chelates has been well documented, its absorption pathway is not well elucidated. This may be due in part to most investigators initially thinking of the amino acid chelate in terms of it being a metallic molecule instead of considering it to be absorbed as a proteinaceous molecule. Comprehension of the absorption pathway of an amino acid chelate ultimately requires a paradigm shift in thinking.
