The Why of it.............
Synthetic vs whole food supplements
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| There is a widespread use of synthetic, non-organic ingredients in supplements. Reason?? Mostly money. It has not been cost-effective to make vitamin supplements from real, whole-food sources. Example: it literally takes a ton (2,000 pounds) of unmilled (unrefined, whole) rice to provide about five grams — or one level teaspoon — of vitamin B1. But, Synthetics can be easily mass-produced and can help increase the labeled potencies sought by consumers. Just knowing that helps to understand the cost factor between the two. Over the years, I became so comfortable with recommending the “right supplements,” I didn't bother to look into the alternatives. I realized I needed to challenge my own way of thinking and doing. We continue to learn more all the time if we are open minded enough to do so. Now I share what I have learned with you... Synthetic vitamins function very differently from real vitamins. Synthetics are functionally foreign to the body. “Synthetic/Isolated/Fractionated” Supplements. A great example would be just too simply look at almost any Multi-Vitamins nutritional content fact and ingredient label, you’ll see quite an assortment of vitamins…Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, etc. But it's the list of ingredients we need to pay attention to: (example) Dicalcium Phosphate, Magnesium Oxide, Potassium Chloride, Cellulose, Ascorbic Acid, Ferrous Fumarate, Calcium Carbonate, Gelatin, dl-Alpha, Tocopheryl Acetate, Croscarmellose Sodium, Zinc Oxide, Dextrin, Steric Acid, etc... Those are called “Isolated” vitamins and other “chemicals”. There are no foods or herbal ingredients listed; only partial vitamins and other chemicals. Nature intended for us to consume food in its WHOLE form because all the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and enzymes are together in one package and work synergistically together to bring your body the nutrition that it needs. The other problem is that by taking isolated vitamins, sometimes we are getting “massive” doses of some vitamins, but not enough of others. Over time, this can cause health problems too and aren’t we trying to get healthy rather than cause more problems? Synthetic - Isolated - Fractionated equals FAKE Whole-Food based supplements are different. Typically, they will list the foods that the supplement was made from. Ingredients (a simple example) carrots, parsley, beets, kale, cabbage, spinach... etc... Various herbs and fruits might also be listed. What a difference this 2nd product will make in your body! You’ll actually be gaining benefits from the WHOLE food and all of the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and enzymes that occur naturally in the food or plant. And, it works much faster. Our bodies are designed to use whole food forms of nutrients immediately. Another Example. When it says “Vitamin C” on the label, what is the source of that Vitamin C? What you want to see listed in the ingredient list is the foods (such as) Citrus Fruits, Papaya, Bell Peppers, Camu, etc. If you see “Ascorbic Acid” listed, that means it is an “Isolated” product and not the best choice. Ascorbic Acid is NOT vitamin C. Vitamins are just like other food factors. If the complex is taken apart (fractionated), as with synthetic supplements, it is no longer capable of producing its normal, nutritional and metabolic effect or function. In order for a vitamin to be used in the body, the co-factors must be present, and when they are missing, the body will be forced to steal them from its own internal resources, thus causing a depletion — which is an imbalance in a person's biochemistry. Although the body will use them if nothing better is available, these nutrient substitutes certainly do not provide the same benefits that organic/whole food does. Unfortunately, most of the nutritional supplements that are available in the market — and even in many Naturopathic Doctor's offices are synthetic nutritional supplements. Very few sources are capable of providing nutrients in a supplement that is truly bio-active (available to the body) in a whole-food form. BUT THERE ARE SOME... I know. I now use whole food supplements. And, you want to be consuming supplements that have actual whole food, plants or herbs listed on the label; that way you know it is as close to natural as possible! And lastly, understand that no supplement alone will help you achieve the level of health you desire… we have to make lifestyle and dietary changes --- AND (also) supplements in order to achieve ultimate health. |
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