GLOSSARY

Calcium Absorption Factors Table

Calcium absorption depends on dose, food matrix and vitamin D physiology.

Calcium Absorption uses regulated active and passive routes, with portion size and food compounds influencing fractional uptake.

Calcium uptake uses regulated vitamin-D-dependent active transport and passive pathways. Serving amount, compound and meal context matter; fractional absorption need not remain constant as intake rises. High oxalate can limit availability from some vegetables, so spinach is not simply equivalent to a low-oxalate source. Supplements are evaluated by elemental amount, tolerance, timing and interacting medicines together.

Minerals must become accessible before crossing through regulated or passive routes. Chemical form, dose, meal composition and body status matter; one fixed absorption percentage does not fit every mineral. Entry into an intestinal cell differs from export to blood and later retention. For supplements, actual elemental amount and interactions are more informative than total compound weight or a universal claim of superior uptake.

Bioaccessibility concerns release from the food matrix and accessibility for absorption; bioavailability concerns the absorbed and usable fraction within a stated framework. Laboratory release does not equal human uptake. Cooking, meal composition, chemical form and body status matter. Practical food choices require actual portions and variety rather than accepting a claim of complete absorption without knowing the measurement method or relevant conditions.