Dear Deiamopax2,

These supplement preparations became popular about five years ago, when a tape of a lecture entitled "Dead Doctors Don't Lie" given by a veterinarian/naturopath was circulating. It touted the benefits of a colloidal mineral potion based on a discovery of a Utah rancher some 75 years ago. As the story goes, the rancher found an Indian spring that supposedly had healing powers. He extracted minerals formed as humic shale (plant remains originating from a prehistoric rain forest) and gave them out in a liquid form. From this concept, supplement manufacturers developed colloidal mineral solutions and capsules (they don't contain any vitamins). Each manufacturer claims theirs is the real thing. The marketers of colloidal minerals state that you only absorb a small amount of minerals from other types of (non-colloidal) supplements. And what about from food? They claim the soil in which food is grown is depleted of minerals. Manufacturers of colloidal minerals assert that their products are absorbed almost 100 percent because they have a "natural negative electrical charge," allowing them to enter cells more easily.

So, is there any truth to this concept? First, for those of us who slept through science class, here's a little review... A colloid is simply a particle suspended in a liquid or a gas. Milk is an example of a colloid (it's a protein suspended in liquid). Most minerals occur in nature as ions, meaning they are negatively or positively charged particles.

Ionic minerals, on the other hand, supposedly are dissolved in water or in a water-soluble form (as opposed to a colloid, which is a suspension). Ionic mineral manufacturers say that their product is assimilated more quickly and efficiently into the body than colloidal minerals, which they claim aren't absorbed as well as touted. Many of these ionic minerals are available in individual mineral solutions. Some of the ones on the market are not vital for human life, such as platinum, gold, and silver — better to wear these minerals than ingest them.

If you look at any one of the many Web sites promoting these products, it can be easy to see how their assertions can seem so tempting. However, who or which side can you believe or trust? MANY of the claims of either colloidal or ionic minerals are not backed by valid scientific research. They don't solve all of the medical problems they claim they do. For one, the manufacturers say that the soil used to grow plants is depleted of minerals, so even people eating healthfully are deficient in most nutrients. This is completely untrue because a plant cannot grow without sufficient minerals in the soil. Some minerals, such as calcium and iron, are abundant in animal foods. The soil issue is irrelevant in these cases.

Another frequent claim is that the charge of the mineral determines how readily the body will absorb it. However, many minerals exist in nature with a positive charge, and are absorbed adequately in that state. As a matter of fact, numerous factors affect absorption, which varies from mineral to mineral, regardless of a mineral's charge. With some minerals, a person with low levels of them will absorb a greater percentage than someone with adequate stores. With other minerals, that's not the case, and high levels can be harmful. Absorption can also be enhanced or inhibited by certain factors, foods, and nutrients. A good example of this is iron. Heme iron, the form of iron found in animals or animal sources, is more readily absorbed than non-heme iron, which is of plant origin. Phytates, a substance in some plants, bind iron, reducing its availability in our digestive tract. Vitamin C, however, increases our absorption of non-heme iron. As you can see, many factors come into play with nutrient absorption, whether a mineral has a positive or a negative charge. (By the way, iron has a positive charge.)

Some of these manufacturers also erroneously state that minerals are absorbed instantaneously through the lining of the stomach. This is untrue — almost all minerals are absorbed in the small intestine. It takes some time for food to travel to the small intestine, depending on what and how much has been eaten.

In addition, colloidal minerals may contain toxins from organic compounds, especially if they are "natural" and minimally processed. Both colloidal and ionic minerals are also expensive.

Doing research on your own, and asking Alice! for clarification, are great, but it's also important to consult with a health care professional. It can be hazardous to diagnose and treat yourself — you may not identify important indicators and draw incorrect conclusions. People who self-treat may miss out on appropriate medical management for their illness or condition. Sometimes it's difficult to sort out the fact from the fiction when it comes to nutritional information. Hopefully, this answer will help point you toward truthful health information.

Alice

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