What are Natural Supplements?

Natural supplements are those derived from plants or other sources such as algae, herbs, amino acids, enzymes, and minerals. These are designed to replicate how the body absorbs nutrients from food to maintain a healthy balance. Proponents of organic supplements argue that they contain fewer additives and provide more nutrients than artificial supplements due to their natural ingredients. Supporters also suggest that they may be better absorbed by the body.

On the opposing side, a few detractors believe that many organic supplements may still contain unknown allergens or contaminants. Additionally, there is a lack of consistent government regulation over organic supplement production so the quality can often vary significantly among producers – making it difficult to find an effective vitamin supplement with known benefits.

Despite these criticisms, however, natural food supplements offer a range of potential benefits for those looking for safe and reliable alternatives to chemically-manufactured products. The key is to look for brands with a history of producing quality products tested through processing controls and regular quality assurance checks.

As we move forward, it’s helpful to consider both pros and cons when making decisions about what types of vitamins the body needs. The next step is to look into the unique features at play in the manufactured versions of supplements available on the market and how they differ from their natural counterparts.

What are Synthetics?

Unlike natural vitamins, synthetics contain artificially produced nutrients that can have a variety of sources including foods or food additives, chemical substances, and combinations of both. One of the major benefits of producing supplements artificially is their uniformity when it comes to dosage. Due to their standardized production, the dose among the likes of vitamin E, vitamin C, and vitamin B12, is often consistent making them reliable and practical to use.

However, synthetically manufactured supplements also have some potential drawbacks. Many are made using chemical components or derived from irritants like wheat or dairy which might cause adverse reactions. Furthermore, without being evaluated by the FDA, it’s not always easy to know what exactly synthetic is, vitamin E, for example. The exact amounts and quality of nutrients vary from brand to brand because no two formulas are exactly alike.

In conclusion, both the organic and synthetic vitamins offer their distinct advantages but there are tradeoffs with each option. It’s important to thoroughly compare the nutrients in various options as well as consult with your physician before taking any supplement regimen.

Sources of Ingredients in Synthetic and Natural Vitamins

In regards to the nutrients found in natural versus man-made supplements, it is important to understand how they differ to know what you are taking. Organic supplements typically use extracts from plants and other sources as the main active ingredients, while synthetics may use one or more artificially created ingredients. It is argued that organic supplements provide a better balance of nutrients and are better absorbed by the body than synthetic alternatives. However, some studies have shown that the sources of vitamins and minerals may be contaminated, while certain synthetic nutrients can help artificial supplements achieve higher levels of consistency and purity.

There is no definite answer when it comes to which supplement type is better for one’s health since both have potential positives and negatives depending on the situation. Although organic vitamins have fewer risks, research has suggested some concerns about their ability to provide consistent doses over time. Synthetic forms may provide great consistency with their dosing, but there could be an array of hidden components in them if not sourced correctly.

Now that a comparison between these two types of supplements has been provided, it is time to look at their possible benefits and side effects for further insight into choosing the right supplement for your needs.

•       A study published in 2013 by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition concluded that natural vitamins are more bioavailable than artificially made vitamins.
•       An analysis published in 2016 in Nutrients Journal found that many synthetic multivitamins may contain higher levels of some nutrients than those found in nature.
•       A 2020 review article published in the journal Trends in Food Science & Technology noted that synthetics, although nutritionally efficient, can lack phytochemicals or other compounds found only in natural sources.