Vitamin supplements are a necessity for most people, but most vitamin products are ineffective and not worth what you pay for them.
It is very difficult to obtain enough nutrients from our diet alone. A study of British nutrient data from 1930 to 1980, published in the British Food Journal, found that in 20 vegetables the average calcium content had declined by 19%; iron by 22%; and potassium by 14%. Yet another study concluded that one would have to eat eight oranges today to derive the same amount of Vitamin A as our grandparents would have gotten from one. Modern industrial crops are grown for a high yield and fast growth, rather than for nutrient content. As a result, nutrients have declined in our food supply, since crops today often have fewer nutrients than their older counterparts. There have also been decreases in protein, iron, potassium, calcium, riboflavin, ascorbic acid, zinc, selenium, and other essential nutrients in many conventionally grown fruits, vegetables, and grains. Now, 38 years on and the nutrients have declined even more.
We need to bridge that gap. But don't rush out to the health shop and buy a bottle of synthetic off-the-shelf vitamins that are full of fillers. Read this first.
Currently, over half of the US population takes synthetic nutrients such as multivitamins. However, there has been much debate over whether synthetic nutrients provide the same benefits as natural nutrients. Some sources even suggest that synthetic nutrients may be dangerous.
What Are Synthetic and Natural Nutrients?
Here's the difference between natural and synthetic nutrients:
Natural nutrients: These are obtained from whole food sources in the diet.
Synthetic nutrients: Also referred to as isolated nutrients, these are usually made artificially, in an industrial process. The majority of supplements available on the market today are made artificially. These include vitamins, antioxidants, minerals and amino acids, among others.
Synthetic nutrients do not include "whole food supplements," which are made from concentrated, dehydrated whole foods.
The majority of supplements available on the market today are made artificially. These include vitamins, antioxidants, minerals and amino acids, among others. They can be taken in pill, capsule, tablet, powder or liquid form, and are made to mimic the way natural nutrients act in our bodies.
To figure out if your supplement is synthetic or natural, check the label. Natural supplements usually list food sources or are labelled as 100% plant-based.
Supplements that list nutrients individually, such as vitamin C, or use chemical names like ascorbic acid, are almost certainly synthetic.
Are Natural and Synthetic Nutrients Different?
The production process of synthetic nutrients is very different to the way plants and animals create them. So despite having a similar structure, your body reacts differently to synthetic nutrients.
Additionally, it's unclear how well synthetic nutrients are absorbed and used in the body. Some may be more easily absorbed, not others.
This is because when you eat real food, you're not consuming single nutrients, but rather a whole range of vitamins, minerals, co-factors and enzymes that allow for optimal use by the body. Without these additional compounds, synthetic nutrients are unlikely to be used by the body in the same way as their natural counterparts. For example, studies show that natural vitamin E is absorbed twice as efficiently as synthetic vitamin E.
Studies about the beneficial health effects of many synthetic nutrients have been inconsistent, weak or shown no effect. Among other insults to your health, many have been shown to be loaded with fillers, some of which are allergenic such as corn starch and modified food starch, and even toxic talcum powder! Plus artificial colours, including FD&C Blue 2, Red 40, and Yellow 6. Artificial colours have a long history of toxicity. And some in the USA and other countries contain the allergenic and toxic preservative sodium benzoate along with BHT. BHT has been banned in other countries, including England, Sweden, and Australia. It is simply not possible for such a formula to prevent disease.
Nutrients in Whole Food Supplements Have Health Benefits
Evidence supports the idea that natural nutrients found in whole foods can prevent a wide range of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer and premature death and are readily absorbed by the body. It is strongly advised to take a natural food supplement to bridge the gap of getting enough vitamins and minerals on a daily basis but what should you buy? To find out what is available near you just put in a search for 'whole food supplements' and you will find plenty.
*Vegans and vegetarians: This group is often at a high risk of a health-damaging deficiency of vitamin B12, a substance found in meat, fish and shellfish. Please read the link HERE