Are the chelated proteinate minerals added to my pet food I use better than a non-chelated form of a mineral?
As mentioned in the answer above, proteinate forms of trace minerals are created by binding a synthetic trace mineral to a protein. Much of the scientific literature states that this process may function to increase the bioavailability of the mineral but does not go as far as to state that it does emphatically. The literature further states the trace mineral salts used to make metal proteinates are synthetic substances. It further states the nature and method of production of the protein component of metal proteinates is confidential to the manufacturer and is not publicly disclosed. For the consumer, it is virtually impossible to determine whether the amino acids incorporated into metal proteinates are plant, animal or synthetic. Some literature states that a proteinate form of a mineral is 15% to 20% synthetic mineral and 80% to 85% protein.
