Simply ask the following questions:
- Are the minerals truly chelated to amino acids or just complexed or are they simply trace minerals mixed with protein?
- Is there proof of the chelate bond formation in the product?
- Is the product stable when subjected to various pH ranges found in digestion. (pH 2.0 - 7.5)?
- Is the mineral product small enough in size to allow unhindered movement through the intestinal wall?
- Does the product have test data to show that it really works?
- Compare pricing. You may pay less for some reported chelates and complexes, but are they really cheaper? If the product is not truly a chelate then you are essentially buying inorganic minerals at a premium price. Without guaranteed availability, you lose two ways: cost and mineral utilization.