1.5 Substances That Affect Nutrient Absorption

❓Are you really absorbing the nutrients you eat—or are they being stolen away?

Eating well doesn’t guarantee full nutrient absorption. This chapter uncovers the hidden factors that interfere with your nutrition—from anti-nutrients and food chemicals to frying, medications, and storage methods.
You’ll learn how to reduce environmental and dietary burdens, optimize food handling, and protect your nutrition at the source.

🎯 Learning Outcomes:

• Identify types and sources of anti-nutrients and chemical additives in common foods.

• Understand how frying, packaging, medications, and food processing impair nutrient uptake.

• Learn to assess your personal anti-nutrient load and take steps to reduce it.

• Master practical food prep and storage methods to preserve nutrition and avoid contaminants.

• Build a mindset of “nutritional defense,” aligning daily habits to support optimal absorption.

🌿 Reflection｜It’s not just about what you eat—it’s about what your body can use.

In this chapter, you’ve uncovered the hidden factors that can quietly rob your body of the nutrients it needs. From anti-nutrients and additives to poor food prep and medication interference, you’ve gained the knowledge to protect your nutrition.
Now, the next step is practical: clean up your plate, choose less-processed foods, be mindful of how you cook and store, and think of every small shift as a long-term investment in your vitality. Your body doesn’t need more—it needs better.