ALL THINGS NUTRIENT ABSORPTION

Oral Supplements

Most supplements are taken orally. This means that after leaving the mouth, the supplement goes through the stomach, small intestine, liver and then will enter the bloodstream. Since there are so many steps in between ingestion and the supplement entering the bloodstream, this impacts the effectiveness of the supplement. For example, in your stomach, the stomach acid breaks down the supplement, also degrading some of the nutrients. Once a supplement is broken down and enters your small intestine, it passes through the intestinal wall and then enters the liver. This is where the absorbed nutrient is processed. The liver releases the nutrient into the bloodstream for use by other tissues, although some of it is metabolized.

Transdermal Supplements

Transdermal supplements are designed to be absorbed through the skin, bypassing the digestive system and liver. This makes a transdermal supplement more bioavailable as it avoids the process of digestive breakdown and metabolism from the liver. Although this process can be more effective for absorbing nutrients from a supplement, the rate of absorption through the skin can vary depending on factors like skin thickness, blood flow, and the specific formulation of the supplement.

Injected Supplements

Injected supplements, such as intramuscular (IM) and intravenous (IV) injections, offer the most direct and rapid route for nutrient delivery. By bypassing the digestive system, these methods ensure maximum bioavailability, as nutrients are directly introduced into the bloodstream. This eliminates the potential for nutrient degradation during digestion and absorption, resulting in optimal utilization by the body. Furthermore, injected supplements can be precisely dosed and targeted to specific areas, providing a highly controlled and effective means of nutrient delivery.