Most minerals supplemented today are in their inorganic forms (oxides, sulfates and salts) However, chelation has been used to potentially improve absorption of microminerals.  Chelation means “firmly attached”, and in the case of minerals, the inorganic form is attached to an amino acid or other organic component.  It also allows the mineral to be considered “organic” following the attachment to an organic substance.  Chelation allows the compound to stay together in the digestive tract with a potential increase in absorption.