The Bioavailability Scam
When "better absorption" is just marketing math
TL;DR
Bioavailability claims are often based on cherry-picked studies, irrelevant comparisons, or outright made-up numbers. A form that's 2x more bioavailable than a terrible form isn't necessarily good. Focus on absolute doses and proven forms, not marketing multipliers.
What Bioavailability Actually Means
Bioavailability is the percentage of a nutrient that reaches your bloodstream. Magnesium oxide has ~4% bioavailability. Magnesium glycinate has ~25%. That's a real difference. But here's where it gets manipulated: "5x more bioavailable than oxide" sounds amazing. But 25% bioavailability still isn't 100%. You're still losing 75%.
Key Takeaway: Higher bioavailability is relative. The baseline matters.
The Comparison Trick
Companies love comparing their "enhanced" form to the worst available version. Liposomal vitamin C is "10x more bioavailable than standard!" Standard what? The cheapest form? A form nobody uses? Real comparison would be against the most common well-absorbed form, not the worst one.
Key Takeaway: Ask: compared to what? The comparison point is usually chosen to look best.
The "Enhanced Absorption" Tax
A supplement with "3x better absorption" that costs 4x more is a worse deal. Companies charge premium prices for absorption improvements that may not proportionally increase benefits. If regular zinc costs $10 and "enhanced absorption zinc" costs $35, do the math on what you're actually getting.
Key Takeaway: Price per absorbed dose matters more than absorption claims.
When Bioavailability Actually Matters
It matters most for: 1) Nutrients you struggle to get enough of even at normal doses. 2) Expensive nutrients where wasting less saves money. 3) Nutrients with documented absorption problems. It matters less for: nutrients you can easily take more of at low cost. Paying $50 for "enhanced" vitamin C when you could just take 500mg more of regular vitamin C is usually pointless.
Key Takeaway: Sometimes taking more of a cheap form beats paying for a premium form.
Forms Worth the Premium
Some enhanced forms are genuinely better: Magnesium glycinate vs oxide (major difference). Methylcobalamin B12 vs cyanocobalamin for some people. Fish oil triglyceride form vs ethyl ester. Curcumin with piperine vs plain curcumin. These have meaningful, well-documented differences. Most others are marketing.
Key Takeaway: A few enhanced forms are worth it. Most aren't.
Real Talk
Bioavailability is a real concept being weaponized by marketing departments. Yes, some forms absorb better. No, that doesn't automatically justify 3x the price. Do the math on what you're actually absorbing at what cost. Often, taking more of a cheaper form is more cost-effective than paying for "enhanced" versions.
What To Do About It
- Calculate cost per ABSORBED dose, not cost per serving
- Question what the bioavailability claim is compared to
- Check if the "enhanced" form has independent research
- Consider if taking more of a cheaper form solves the problem
- Focus on the forms with proven differences (magnesium, B12, curcumin)
The Bottom Line
Better absorption is good. Better absorption marketing is often just higher margins in disguise.
More Real Talk
About this information: Our recommendations draw from peer-reviewed clinical trials, systematic reviews, and the same medical databases your doctor uses. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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