Healthy eating, and in many cases the use of oral supplements, is an asset when it comes to maintaining great health and building an anti-aging lifestyle. However, in many cases, oral ingestion is not adequate. This can occur because the vitamins taken by mouth require cofactors for them to be properly absorbed from the gut. In addition, some of the vitamins require a healthy balance of bacteria in the colon and the intestine to facilitate best absorption. Finally, when things are taken by mouth, they first pass through the liver before being processed to other cells in the body. All these steps can represent barriers to the micronutrients getting to the targeted cells.

The use of prescription drugs and antibiotics can further compromise oral absorption. Many drugs interfere with the digestive process, making it harder for the body to break down and absorb micronutrients. A great example of this are drugs known as “proton pump inhibitors.” These are drugs such as Prilosec, Protonix, and others that alter the acid level of the stomach. This unnatural alteration of the stomach antacids not only can interfere with the digestive process but can also alter the bacterial health of the colon.

It has also been estimated that a significant percentage of people in Western cultures have developed chronic malabsorption syndromes because of highly processed, inflammatory foods. Symptoms such as bloating, heartburn, and irregular bowel movements, can all be signs of underlying malabsorption. Ironically, the malabsorption of micronutrients makes it more difficult for the stomach and the intestines to heal itself. Since the cells that line the gastrointestinal tract turn over at a very rapid rate, people can get stuck in a cycle of malabsorption or micronutrient deficiency, which is the production of unhealthy cells which then perpetuates the malabsorption. These cycles can last years, even decades. Over time they can become a trigger for other medical disorders. Everything from chronic fatigue, to fibromyalgia, even heart disease, cancer, and cognitive impairment can be a consequence of prolonged cycles of micronutrient malabsorption.