Are you confused about the difference between synthetic and natural vitamins? It's understandable, as there are many options available today. To help you make an informed decision, this article will explain the differences between synthetic and natural vitamins, as well as the potential health risks associated with each. To determine if your supplement is synthetic or natural, take a look at the label. Natural supplements usually include food sources or are labeled as 100% plant-based or animal-based.
Supplements that list individual nutrients, such as vitamin C, or that use chemical names such as ascorbic acid, are almost certainly synthetic. Apart from vitamin E, there is no difference between natural and synthetic vitamins. In reality, 95% of the vitamins on the market are synthetic, since it's actually quite difficult to include natural vitamins in most supplements. Synthetic versions of vitamins contain chemical compounds that were not intended for human consumption and are not found in nature. Evolution has dictated that we eat the foods we can collect from the earth, not the foods we create in a laboratory.
Natural vitamin E, such as spinach, nuts and oils, contains eight molecules called tocopherols and tocotrienols. In addition, synthetic supplements can help you get more vitamin than you normally get from food. It's hard to choose a vitamin supplement with the many synthetic and natural options available today. Natural vitamins are derived directly from the plant material that contains the vitamin; they are not produced in a test tube. Synthetic vitamins also lack the necessary trace elements and must use the body's own mineral reserves, which can cause dangerous mineral deficiencies. While some synthetic nutrients have been linked to adverse health effects, many people need dietary supplements and fortified foods.
Furthermore, fortified foods and supplements tend to contain higher amounts of nutrients than natural foods. Synthetic nutrients from supplements and fortified foods can have harmful health effects, especially when taken in high doses. On the other hand, natural nutrients are nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and antioxidants found in foods like fruits, vegetables, fish, dairy products, beans, grains, and meat. The dl- form is a combination of the d form (which is actually the natural form) and the l form. Unlike folate found naturally in foods, folic acid from supplements and fortified foods has been associated with a higher risk of certain health conditions.
Natural nutrients are found naturally in foods such as fruits, vegetables and eggs, while synthetic nutrients are found in dietary supplements and fortified foods. In addition, when taken in supplement form on an empty stomach, some nutrients are much more bioavailable than when consumed as part of a mixed meal from natural food sources. However, since pills obviously don't grow on trees, the only completely natural vitamin is the one that comes directly from food. This is because there are differences between the synthetic nutrients found in supplements and fortified foods and the nutrients naturally contained in the foods you eat. When it comes to selecting between synthetic and natural vitamins for your supplement needs, it's important to consider both potential benefits and risks.
Synthetic vitamins may provide more concentrated doses of certain nutrients than natural sources can provide; however they may also contain potentially harmful chemicals or lack important trace elements that can be found in natural sources. Natural vitamins may provide more balanced nutrition but may also be less bioavailable than their synthetic counterparts. Ultimately it's up to you to decide which type of vitamin is best for your needs. If you're looking for a concentrated dose of a particular nutrient or if you're looking for a supplement that contains multiple vitamins or minerals at once then a synthetic supplement may be your best option. However if you're looking for a more balanced source of nutrition then a natural supplement may be your best bet.
