Many people do not get sufficient vitamins & nutrients from just their diet alone. As a result, about half the U.S. population takes synthetic (man-made) nutrients regularly or semi-regularly, namely multivitamins and other generic supplements.
There has long been a heated debate over whether or not people should even bother taking vitamins, or if they simply should just be trying to eat better food. Recent years have fostered further debate asking if people do decide to take vitamins, then what type of vitamins should be taken. Today, Americans are becoming more health-conscious and are now paying more attention to what kinds of foods, nutrients, and supplements they are putting into their bodies. This is definitely a step in the right direction!
Two Distinct Types of Vitamins & Supplements
There are two different types of vitamins & supplements; these are:
- Natural. Nutritious compounds that are entirely plant-based and derived from the soil.
- Synthetic. Nutritious compounds that are man-made in origin.
We’ll look at both and discuss why natural, organic, and non-altered nutrients have more health benefits than do synthetic supplements.
Natural vs. Synthetic — What’s the Difference?
First, let’s define what is meant by “natural” and “synthetic” nutrients.
- Natural nutrients are obtained from plants grown in the soil. Natural, plant-based nutrients come from farms, gardens, and the wild.
- Synthetic nutrients are man-made in labs, usually created by combining chemicals with plants, or by just combining chemicals with other chemicals. Synthetic nutrients are produced artificially in an industrial process.
Natural whole food supplements are naturally occurring, produced in nature directly from plants grown in the soil and offer a premium level of health benefits. Synthetic nutrients do not include whole food supplements, are not naturally occurring, are created in labs, and rarely offer the same level of health benefits as do naturally occurring, plant-based material. Sourcing natural nutrients is generally more expensive than creating synthetic nutrients, and therefore, synthetics generally cost the consumer less as a result.
Unfortunately, most supplements available today are not natural and not sourced from farms, gardens, and the wild, but are synthetic and made artificially in labs. That includes vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids.
Chemically synthesized supplements generally appear in tablet form and usually contain artificial additives — fillers, preservatives, and other compounds added to them. Chemical nutrients aim to mimic the way natural nutrients function within the body but because they are not natural in form or structure, they are not easily absorbed by the body and therefore less efficient.
Remember, the human body is the result of millions of years of evolution, of eating natural plant & animal-based foods, not chemically synthesized foods. The evolved result is a body that responds better to naturally occurring nutrients, not chemical creations. Long-standing evidence shows the body absorbs & processes natural, whole food, and plant-based nutrients far better than it does artificial nutrients. Better absorption equates to a healthier body.
Expert Commentary and Real-World Examples of Good Nutrients
The health and nutrition community generally agrees naturally occurring nutrients are better for the body than are synthetic ones. Subsequently, natural supplements are better for body health than are synthetic supplements. This is not to say synthetic nutrients & supplements are necessarily harmful or detrimental, just that they do not offer as much health benefit as do natural nutrients & supplements.
Dr. Mary Jane Brown, a contributing columnist for expert health info source Healthline, writes[1]:
“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. Natural whole foods may help manage and prevent heart disease, diabetes, cancer and early death. These benefits have been linked to the wide range of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber, and fatty acids found in whole foods.”
From fruits & vegetables to fish, beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains, natural, 100% organic, whole foods offer a complex, intricate, and long list of intertwined nutrients, enzymes, amino acids, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, antioxidants, minerals, healthy fats, and more.
Again quoting[2] Dr. Mary Jane Brown:
“Research consistently shows that synthetic nutrients are no replacement for a healthy, balanced diet. Getting natural nutrients from whole foods is always a better option.”
Eating a proper, balanced, whole-food diet is often a challenge due to time allowance and convenience. That said, if you are looking for quick, easy, and affordable ways to get all-natural, plant-based nutrients on the go, you should know Immune Solution® offers whole-food, vegan and vegetarian-friendly supplements you can add to your daily diet! Featured here are several of our best-selling options:
Organic Pumpkin Seed Protein Powder: The Fuel You Need for a Healthy Day
A paleo, vegan, best-tasting protein powder, Immune Solution® Organic Pumpkin Seed Protein Powder (with Superfoods!) contains per serving: 33 grams protein, 2.5 grams superfood blend, 3 grams fiber, only 2 grams carbs, and 180 calories. Makes for an ideal meal replacement!
Protein is the basic building block of life, vital to immune function, every aspect of metabolism, muscle growth & maintenance, and crucial for energy. Best-selling Immune Solution® Organic Pumpkin Seed Protein Powder is made from fresh, organic, cold-pressed pumpkin seeds to ensure you are getting the healthiest, cleanest, most effective, filling protein possible.
Raw Organic Beet Root – Juice Powder: Achieve Energy, Stamina, and Superb Physical Performance
Beets have numerous health benefits. Grown right here in the U.S., Immune Solution® organic beets are harvested, dried, and ground into a powder using a proprietary system to prevent oxidation during the delicate processing stages. The result? “The best Beet Root Powder on the market!”
Best-selling Immune Solution® Raw Organic Beet Root – Juice Powder provides an easier, more convenient way to eat beets on the go. This superior product, when reconstituted in water, is nearly identical to fresh beet juice and provides all the benefits of fresh-picked beets. Beets are known to increase male fertility by boosting libido and stimulating testosterone. Beets are rich in dietary nitrates, which the body converts to nitric oxide. Nitric oxide promotes cognitive function and cardiovascular health by supporting vasodilation of blood vessels, thereby increasing blood flow and regulating blood pressure; this enhances stamina during any exercise or cardiovascular activity. It has been shown[3] consuming a beet root juice supplement increased nitric oxide levels by 21% after just 45 minutes.
Raw Organic Kamut® Wheatgrass Blend – Juice Powder: Rejuvenate and Alkalize the Body Naturally
Gluten-free Immune Solution® Raw Organic Kamut® Wheatgrass Blend – Juice Powder is the best wheatgrass available. Our wheatgrass is grown right here in the U.S. in nutrient-rich, organic soil. The grass is watered from a nearby mineral spring and harvested at the peak of its nutrient composition. Kamut® is non-GMO, non-crossbred, nutrient-dense, heirloom-seed Egyptian wheatgrass.
Best-selling Immune Solution® Raw Organic Kamut® Wheatgrass Blend – Juice Powder boasts a long list of potential benefits. Wheatgrass is a prebiotic, meaning it feeds good gut bacteria, which improves digestion and bowel movements. It improves gut health by adding many different enzymes to the digestive system. It also restores alkalinity in the body, normalizes body functions, and acts as an anti-inflammatory. It is a potent detoxifier, cleansing the blood and improving the health of the liver. Finally, wheatgrass is full of vitamins & minerals and increases strength & energy while at the same time cutting sugar cravings (improving blood sugar disorders), which promotes weight loss.
Natural Zinc: Boost Metabolic Function with Crucial Enzymes
Natural zinc is a vital mineral and a crucial nutrient necessary for bodily function. It plays many roles in metabolism, including being required for the function of @ 300 different enzyme systems; therefore zinc deficiency can negatively impact virtually any & every metabolic process in the body, with the most studied organ systems being: epidermal (skin), gastrointestinal, immune, reproductive, skeletal, and central nervous. Sadly, 1 in 6 people has a zinc deficiency.
Immune Solution® Natural Zinc supports immune function, is a natural antioxidant, helps restore sensory perception, combats skin problems & hair loss, speeds wound healing, combats mental lethargy & sluggishness, enhances muscle growth, improves libido, physical energy & positive mood, and regulates hormones. It can also help improve testosterone in men.
Questions? Contact Us!
Want to learn more about the differences between natural and synthetic supplements? Curious how Immune Solution® health products can improve your life? Feel free to contact us! Call the office at (727) 768-4688, email us at sales@immunesolution.com, or fill out our simple online contact form, and one of our health experts will respond to you!
Until next time,
–Ren Brabenec
Immune Solution® Writing Staff
Sources:
[1], [2] https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/synthetic-vs-natural-nutrients#TOC_TITLE_HDR_4
[3] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29370244/
