Mineral deficiencies frequently occur in the elderly, in children and teenagers, and in individuals with eating disorders or chronic diseases. Taking certain prescription medicines can also result in a mineral deficiency. In formulating BioMins, Thorne concluded that dicalcium malate and dimagnesium malate (two molecules of each mineral bound to one molecule of malate) are the forms of calcium and magnesium that best optimize both absorption and concentration (how much fits in a capsule).* Albion® Laboratories – an innovator of mineral chelates since 1956 – supplies the majority of the minerals in the BioMins formula. Thorne believes that Albion's glycinate chelates – of iron, zinc, copper, chromium, manganese, molybdenum, and boron – exhibit excellent absorption and tolerability. BioMins also utilizes Ferrochel® – an exceptionally well tolerated form of iron.*

It should be noted by everyone, however, that because the mineral content in fruits and vegetables depends on the soil content that a crop is grown in, even a healthy individual who maintains a good diet can be at risk for a mineral deficiency because of mineral-depleted soil.