How Are Nano Minerals Different from Traditional Supplements?


If you’ve ever taken a traditional mineral supplement — maybe iron, magnesium, or zinc — you’ve probably noticed they can be a bit hit-and-miss. Some people feel better quickly, while others end up with an upset stomach or no noticeable improvement. That’s where nano minerals come in. These supplements are designed to overcome some of the biggest challenges with traditional forms.

Let’s break it down so you can decide if they might be a better option for you.

Nano Minerals illustration

What Are Nano Minerals?

Unlike traditional supplements that rely heavily on the digestive system to break them down, nano minerals are small enough to be taken up by cells more efficiently. This means they have the potential to bypass some of the challenges of digestion and deliver the mineral where it’s needed more effectively.

For anyone who’s ever struggled with constipation, nausea, or bloating after taking a mineral supplement, this difference in how nano minerals behave in the body could make a noticeable difference.

How Are Nano Minerals Different from Traditional Supplements?

Let’s talk specifics. What makes nano minerals stand out?

Particle Size: Traditional supplements contain large mineral particles that need to be broken down by stomach acid before they can be absorbed. This process is often inefficient, with much of the mineral lost before it reaches the bloodstream. Nano minerals are so small that they can be absorbed more directly (often right through the soft tissue in the mouth) possibly bypassing the digestive process altogether.

Absorption Potential: One of the biggest frustrations with traditional supplements is that only a fraction of the mineral is actually absorbed by the body. The rest? It stays in the gut, which can lead to digestive discomfort or worse, can actually "feed" and strengthen unfriendly microbes that might inhabit our gut. Nano minerals, thanks to their size, have a greater surface area for absorption and are more likely to reach the bloodstream intact before arriving to the gut. This means your body may be able to utilise more of the mineral from a smaller dose.

Digestive Impact: Traditional supplements can be hard on the stomach and digestive tract. Iron tablets, for example, are notorious for causing constipation or nausea, while some forms of magnesium can cause diarrhoea.  Nano minerals are designed to reduce the reliance on digestion, potentially meaning they won't impact gut at all.

Dosage Requirements: Because traditional supplements lose a significant portion of their active ingredient during digestion, higher doses are often required to achieve the desired effect. Nano minerals, with their improved absorption potential, may allow for lower doses to achieve the same or better outcomes without side effects.

Practical Benefits of Nano Minerals

So, what does this mean in real terms? Here are the key benefits of nano minerals:

Faster Absorption: Because nano minerals are absorbed more directly, they may start working faster than traditional supplements. We've often heard from those using the products that they can notice changes within minutes, particularly with the Nano Magnesium. Of course we can't promise that speed, as everyone is different. 

Lower Risk of Side Effects: With less reliance on the digestive system and no need for the body to break down of the products once they're ingested (since the minerals can just pass direct into the blood stream), nano minerals appear to be gentler on the stomach and guts, reducing the likelihood of side effects like nausea, constipation, or diarrhoea.

Higher Efficiency: Since more of the mineral is absorbed and faster, you may need a lower dose to achieve the same results as a higher dose of a traditional supplement.

Are Nano Minerals Safe?

Safety is an important consideration with any supplement. Nano minerals used in health supplements are formulated to meet high standards of quality and consistency. The Nano Minerals are not the same as industrial nanoparticles used in non-health applications. These are just the mineral without anything at all attached to it in the smallest possible particles so they can be absorbed without hinderance. 

It’s important to understand that while the technology behind nano minerals is relatively new in the supplement world, the principles of improving absorption and bioavailability with smaller particle sizes and purer products are well established. 

As with any supplement, it’s essential to consider your individual health needs. If you’re unsure, consult with a healthcare professional before making changes to your supplement routine.

Sources

(1) Feng, F., Zhang, Y., Zhang, X., Mu, B., Qu, W., & Wang, P. (2024). Natural Nano-Minerals (NNMs): Conception, Classification and Their Biomedical Composites. ACS Omega, 9, 17760 - 17783. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.4c00674.

(2) Pereira, D., Bruggraber, S., Faria, N., Poots, L., Tagmount, M., Aslam, M., Frazer, D., Vulpe, C., Anderson, G., & Powell, J. (2014). Nanoparticulate iron(III) oxo-hydroxide delivers safe iron that is well absorbed and utilised in humans. Nanomedicine, 10, 1877 - 1886. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nano.2014.06.012.