These minerals must compete for participating proteins. When non-food minerals are ready for attachment of their ligand or protein, they are by their physical nature unstable. In the ionic state minerals are highly susceptible to sequestering by phytic acid. The phytic acid forms very stable complexes with the mineral ions rendering them unavailable for intestinal uptake. The first step in absorption for non-food minerals is to remain in the ionic state.
FoodState nutrients are in the form necessary for absorption.
The participating Protein Chaperones are inherent in the FoodState minerals. The competition of non-food minerals for digestive enzymes. The activity of digestive enzymes does influence mineral absorption. The competition of a mineral for those available enzymes influences their overall absorption. Food nutrients naturally contain these digestive enzymes 4.