AG1, a Novel Foundational Nutrition Supplement, Demonstrates the Increased Bioaccessibility and Bioavailability of Minerals Compared to a Multivitamin Tablet In Vitro

More than 57% of US adults take dietary supplements, with the most common being daily multivitamins. Daily multivitamins are typically formulated in a pill or tablet form; however, new options, including powder form that can be mixed with water, are being utilized to increase bioavailability. While limited data are available, the theory is that multivitamin tablets must be adequately dissolved before entering the small intestine for assimilation, while powders come pre-dissolved before consumption, which theoretically ensures enhanced bioavailability. Our aim was to investigate the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of minerals (magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), calcium (Ca), and potassium (K)) using a novel foundational nutrition supplement called AG1 compared to a multivitamin tablet. AG1 contains vitamins and minerals comparable to multivitamin tablets but also includes prebiotics, probiotics, and phytonutrients. We employed the adapted Simulator of Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME^®) model to assess the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of this study’s products using a simulated stomach and small intestine physiological environment equipped with a dialysis membrane (methylcellulose) to emulate absorption. Luminal contents were collected at the end of the stomach, duodenum, and 1-, 2-, and 3 h after small intestine absorption simulation (dialysis) to assess bioaccessibility. The dialysis solution was measured at 1-, 2-, and 3 h to assess bioavailability. A significantly higher (<i>p</i> < 0.05) percentage of the total amount of all minerals given at the baseline was present at the end of the stomach and duodenum portion for the powder form vs. the tablet. There was a significantly higher % maximal concentration (C_max), bioavailability, and bioaccessibility for Mg, Ca, and Zn for AG1 vs. the tablet. These preclinical data demonstrate that a greater proportion of minerals in AG1 enter the small intestine, have a higher C_max, and several are more bioaccessible and bioavailable than a tablet multivitamin in vitro.