Q: What does the term "chelate" refer
to?
A: The term chelate, in a broad sense,
refers to complex compounds whose central metal ion is attached
to an organic molecule (ligand) by two or more bonds resulting
in a stable, often a ring structure. The purpose of chelated minerals
is to surround a metal ion with an organic molecule that can be better absorbed
in the human body.
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Q:
What is a mineral chelate?
A: Chelate comes from the Greek word, "claw." Through
chelation, an amino acid “claws” onto, or binds to,
a mineral. A chelate is a special type of bond between a metal
atom and one or more organic molecules. The chelating organic
molecule (or ligand) must have at least two atoms that can bond
simultaneously to the metal atom. Metal atoms used in the nutritional
industry are typically ions (since one or more of the electrons
have been removed), giving the metal ion an overall positive
charge. When metal ions are chelated, the ligand must have an
overall negative charge to balance the positive charge of the
metal ion. Thus ligands are usually acids that have had a hydrogen
atom removed plus an additional atom that can bond with the metal
atom. Examples of ligands include: citric acid, malic acid, ascorbic
acid, and other amino acids. In order for the combination to
be a true chelate, each metal ion must be bonded to at least
one ligand molecule in at least two different locations. There
must be a chemical reaction that bond the two together. Acids
such as acetic acid will not form chelates, because the acid
does not have the second atom that is available for bonding to
the metal atom.
Official definition: Metal amino acid chelate
is the product resulting from the reaction of a metal ion from
a soluble metal salt with amino acids with a mole ratio of one
mole of metal to one to three (preferably two) moles of amino
acids to form coordinate covalent bonds. The average molecular
weight of the hydrolyzed amino acids must be about 150 AMU (atomic
mass units) and the resulting chelate must not exceed 800 AMU.
The minimum elemental metal content must be declared. It will
be declared as a METAL amino acid chelate, e.g., Copper Amino
Acid Chelate.
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Q: Why Chelated Minerals?
A: For Minerals to be absorbed in
the small intestine it has to meet two requirements: first, a
mineral has to be soluble in the luminal fluid of the small intestine;
second, it has to present itself in a singular molecule as an
ionic entity, so that it will be able to penetrate the mucous
membrane and be absorbed. This ability to be absorbed is
may times called bioavailability.
In order for a mineral to be bioavailable, it must be soluble
to some degree in the intestine where absorption takes place (large
particles cannot penetrate the wall of the intestine and can not
be absorbed). Many mineral forms depend on acid in the stomach
to convert the mineral to a soluble form before absorption can
take place. However, many forms of minerals are not soluble in
the intestine due to chemical reactions that occur along the way
from the stomach to the intestine that cause the mineral to precipitate
out of the solution. Thus, defeating the purpose of the mineral
itself. Amino Acid chelates are resistant to this type of chemical
reaction. They are also generally soluble to some degree, and are
readily absorbed into the body so that the mineral can be used.
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Q: Are all chelated minerals the same?
A: Simply mixing inorganic minerals
with amino acids in a liquid or dry mixture does not fall into
the category of a true amino acid chelate. This simple ionic and
hydrogen bonding of minerals to amino acids does not produce a
stable product. Special processing must be performed to create
a stable (covalent) bond which is important for greater bioavailability.
There
are many products on the market, which are reported to be chelates.
Some are only complex mixtures of minerals and proteins not fitting
into the definition of true amino acid chelates. These lose integrity
during digestion, becoming unstable and compromising availability.
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Q: What makes Osteoform chelates so effective?
A: Size: Picture in your mind the fuel filter on your car engine. The filter
allows fuel to pass through but holds back large particles from entering
the engine. The same idea applies to the absorption of minerals from the
intestine to the blood stream. Large particles cannot easily pass through
the intestinal wall. Many mineral products on the market have molecular weights
too large to be absorbed intact.
Through patented technology, Osteform has been able to produce chelated minerals
with molecular weights small enough to pass easily through the intestinal wall.
The result is a compound similar to that which the body itself produces by
natural chelation.
Stability: The Osteform chelation process guarantees stability
of this unique mineral molecule throughout the digestion process
which allows for a bioabailable mineral.
The body cannot utilize traditional mineral compounds in their natural state.
Zinc sulfate, iron sulfate or any mineral sulfate, oxide or carbonate must
be broken apart and restructured to allow it to be transported through the
intestinal wall. A similar situation exists with some reported chelates or
complexed mineral products. Not properly stabilized, they break apart, exposing
the raw, ionized mineral.
It is after digestion when many mineral forms have their mineral payload separated
from their carriers. In this situation, these minerals become charged ions
and their bioavailability comes into jeopardy. These charged free minerals
are known to block the absorption of one another, or to combine with other
dietary factors to form compounds that are not absorbable. Only Ostefrom chelates
are manufactured according to specific patented technology that maintains the
bioavailable stability of these nutritionally functional mineral amino acid
chelates.
Neutrality: The osteoform process of chelation results in the
final mineral compound becoming neutral, i.e., containing no electrical
charge. Why is this important? Mineral compounds that have electrical
charges can interact with other dietary components and other oppositely
charged molecules, and from substances that are not absorbable
. In addition, mineral compounds that have electrical charges are
reactive, and as such they can negatively affect other important
nutrient factors, such as: vitamin E, ascorbic acid, various B-vitamins,
as well as important medications.
Osteoform Amino Acid Chelated Calcium Compound are true excellent
mineral chelates. They are prepared at AMT Labs in Utah utilizing
AMT’s patented chelation methods. The manufacturing
process involves intricate and complex chemical reactions where
metal ions are combined with an exact molar ratio of ligands composed
of free amino acids. The resulting chelates consist of metal
ions strongly bound to organic ligands through coordinate covalent
bonds as well as ionic bonds. The metal ions in these chelates
are well-protected by the surrounding ligands of small organic
molecules. They are not only very soluble, but also very
stable and allow for maximum absorption in the body.
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Q: Why can't I just increase absorption by taking more dosage
of other minerals?
A: You could. But as a result there will be more inorganic minerals precipitated
in the stomach and small intestine. Have you ever had negative effects
such as diarrhea or constipation after taking a mineral supplement such as
calcium carbonate, which found in many nutritional supplements? If so,
this is the side effect caused by the excess amount insoluble mineral left
in the small intestine. The precipitate can also affect the absorption of crucial
vitamins as it is excreted, thus depriving the body of essential vitamins.
