[현대건강신문] More and more people are taking red ginseng, probiotics, vitamins, omega 3s and other dietary supplements daily. As health interest increases day by day after COVID-19, health-promoting foods that can easily take care of health are attracting attention. In particular, “Self-medication”, which pursues active investment and consumption in health, and “healthy pleasure”, which seeks to enjoy health care, are establishing themselves as main consumption trends, especially among the 2030 generation. The popularity of consumption is accelerating.
In fact, according to data from the Korea Health Functional Foods Association, the size of the domestic dry food market exceeded 5 trillion won last year. According to the results of the Consumer Purchasing Behavior Index survey, 8 out of 10 households reported buying dry food at least once a year. The number of food supplements that are good for immunity, food for eye health, vitamins and probiotics is increasing day by day. Concerns about indiscriminate consumption continue to be a problem.
Each individual needs different products because the necessary nutrients and intake vary according to age, lifestyle and health condition. Furthermore, while there are nutrients that increase the absorption rate by increasing the effect when taken together, there are cases where the effect is halved, so it is important to check the compatibility between the nutrients before taking them.
You can increase the absorption rate by taking it with commonly found multivitamins and lactic acid bacteria.
A multivitamin that can take a variety of vitamins and minerals at the same time in a single tablet is highly sought after by modern people for its simplicity. Most of the vitamins and minerals we ingest are absorbed in the small intestine, and the rate of absorption can vary depending on the environment of the small intestine. In particular, water-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin B and vitamin C, are often excreted in the urine and have a low pKa (acid strength) value, making them easy to dissolve and absorb in a highly acidic intestinal environment.
Since the intestinal condition has a great effect on the absorption of multivitamins, it is effective to consume lactic acid bacteria which can make the intestinal environment acidic. Lactobacillus settles in the intestine and secretes lactic acid (lactic acid), which can increase solubility and stability by making the intestinal environment acidic. In addition, intestinal epithelial cells are activated to increase the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin D. In fact, following an animal study at the non-clinical testing center of the Cell Biotech Microbiome Research Center, it was confirmed that the absorption was promoted when lactic acid bacteria and vitamins were mixed, compared to when all vitamins except vitamin A were administered alone. In the case of vitamin B6, the absorption rate increased by 174% compared to the control group and it was also confirmed that the absorption rate of calcium and iron also increased significantly.
For eye health, it is necessary to take lutein, astaxanthin and vitamin A at the same time.
Recently, with the increase in interest in eye health, dry foods with related functions such as lutein, astaxanthin and vitamin A are also being consumed in large quantities. It is okay to choose only one of these nutrients, but it is recommended to consume the previous three at the same time because the eye function involved in each ingredient is different.
First, lutein is a nutrient that makes up the periphery of the “macula”, which is the center of the eye. In most cases, the lutein content in the eye begins to decrease by the age of 25, and the content decreases to less than half by the age of 60. Astaxanthin helps a lot of blood and nutrients reach the “ciliary body,” the eye muscle that controls focus, and relieves eye fatigue by removing waste products. Vitamin A also helps keep the retina, conjunctiva and cornea healthy and also plays a role in protecting the eyes from harmful substances by participating in the health of the eye mucosa. If you are interested in eye health, you can consume lutein, astaxanthin and vitamin A individually, or you can choose a product that combines these ingredients together.
The absorption rate of the active ingredient of red ginseng “saponin” is low, so lactic acid bacteria can give synergy
According to the survey by the Ministry of Food Safety and Medicines, one in four Koreans consumes red ginseng. The effectiveness of red ginseng, which can help improve immunity and recover from fatigue, can be achieved through ‘saponin (ginsenoside)’, the main nutritional component. To absorb saponin, a high molecular weight substance, it must be broken down into ‘Compound K’, which is a physiologically active form of substance. The% cannot absorb saponin because it is due to insufficient function and number of gut microbes.
In other words, to properly absorb the nutrients of red ginseng, it is necessary to manage the intestinal microbial environment in a balanced way. In a recent study, lactic acid bacteria “CBT-BG7 (Bifidobacterium longum, CBT-BG7)” were discovered that help convert saponins to compound K when grown with red ginseng. If you are taking red ginseng dietary supplements, it is recommended to take CBT-BG7 lactobacilli together, which increase absorption.
Calcium and polygamma-glutamic acid must be taken together to increase their absorption
Calcium, known as an essential element for the formation of bones and teeth and for the prevention of osteoporosis, is a representative nutrient that is difficult to absorb into the body. The rate of absorption in the body increases when calcium is taken together with polygamma-glutamic acid compared to when calcium is taken alone. Polygamma-glutamic acid is a component that has been functionally recognized by the Ministry of Food Safety and Medicines as “it can help promote the absorption of calcium in the body”.
Furthermore, when magnesium and vitamin D are taken together, a synergistic effect can be expected. This is why the word “Kalmadi”, which reduces calcium, magnesium and vitamin D as three essential nutrients for maintaining bone health, is popular.
Vitamin D helps the colon and kidneys absorb calcium and stores calcium in the bones to increase bone density. In addition, it plays a role in regulating the concentration of calcium and phosphorus in the body within the normal range, so no matter how much calcium you consume, if you lack vitamin D, you may not see the effect correctly. Magnesium not only helps activate this vitamin D, it also helps transport calcium so it can be incorporated into new bones. However, if you eat more magnesium than calcium, you need to be careful as it can interfere with calcium absorption.
Dr. Im Sang-hyun, head of Cell Biotech’s microbiome research division, said: “Consumers are increasing their intake of various health care nutritional supplements. They are compatible with dietary supplements such as food and this can increase the expected effect “. choose a product after carefully considering the combination that can increase the absorption rate of the nutrients needed for your health.
