A controversial subject has been the destruction of liquid vitamins in the presence of stomach acid. Nutraceutical supporters claim the simplified composition of a liquid vitamin leaves the vital nutrients susceptible to damage from strong stomach acid.

Our digestive system is an amazing nutrient processing machine which is far more sophisticated than just a catch container filled with hydrochloric acid and enzymes. There are a plethora of events that take place during digestion. Some examples of isolated nutrient digestion and absorption can be helpful in determining whether vitamins and minerals are destroyed during digestion.

A large majority of vitamin supplements contain Ascorbic Acid; more commonly recognized as vitamin C. What happens to ascorbic acid when it comes in contact with digestive acids and enzymes?

Ascorbic acid resembles a monosaccharide. Its molecular structure is made up of a five member, unsaturated lactone ring with two hydroxyl groups. These molecular components are attached to double bonded carbons. The molecular structure of ascorbic acid is actually easily oxidized during digestion. The oxidation process does not destroy ascorbic acid (vitamin C) but simply changes the molecular structure to dehydroascorbic acid. Both ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid are biologically effective as vitamin C.

β-carotene is commonly referred to as vitamin A. β-carotene is actual a biological precursor to vitamin A. β-carotene requires oxidation to become vitamin A which is intern oxidized to form 11-cis-retinal in the liver. 11-cis-retinal is vital to eyesight. 11-cis-retinal is isomerized within the rod cells of the eye when exposed to visible light making vision possible. This vital nutrient requires oxidation to convert to 11-cis-retinal.

Destruction of vitamins and minerals is not the purpose of digestion. The conversion of vitamins and minerals into usable, absorbable nutrients is the vital purpose of digestion. Most ingested substances require some form of digestion in order for the body to utilize the nutrient.

Digestion is very complex but a general idea of the process can help describe methods to increase nutrient absorption efficiency. Chewing of ingested material is the first process which doesn’t apply to vitamin supplements. Chewing pill form vitamins is not common and the need for chewing a liquid vitamin is not necessary. Never the less, chewing is the introductory process during digestion often referred to as mechanical digestion. In the mouth, ingested material’s surface area is increased, salivary enzymes are introduced and ingested material is hydrated with saliva. The material is swallowed and contained in the stomach for approximately 2-4 hours. During this period, the stomach introduces acid and enzymes which are regulated by many enzymatic and hormonal signals during digestion. After this process is complete, the digesting material is allowed to enter the duodenum wear digestion is completed and acidic material is neutralized by pancreatic juices and bile secretion. Again, bile and pancreatic juices are regulated by hormonal signaling. This process prevents damage to the intestinal track during the absorption process. If material hasn’t completely digested by this time, absorption efficiency will be greatly decreased and the material will be excreted. The material is allowed to enter the small intestine where the majority of absorption takes place. The remainder of the material moves to the large intestine where water is still being absorbed. The remaining waste enters the colon and finally is excreted.

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