Dr. Julie A. Stuber DC, FIAMA
Why We Use Whole Food Supplements!
Is There a Difference Between Synthetic and Natural Supplements?
Vitamins, vitamins, and more vitamins! Whether we get them from our daily diet, from sunshine, or from store bought capsules or liquids, vitamins are vital to our health and to the proper functioning of our bodies. Vitamin deficiencies lead to a wide range of health concerns spanning from anorexia, insomnia, stress, obesity, neuropathy to organ malfunction, depression and fatigue.
However, whether or not your vitamins are harming you is another story. What a lot of people are not aware of is that not all vitamins are created equal, and most are actually synthetic and manufactured from facilities that are not well regulated and/or from unfavorable sources and quality and conditions.
WE CHOOSE ORGANIC WHOLE FOOD NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS SO YOU DO NOT WASTE MONEY ON THINGS THAT ARE USELESS!
Without the entire vitamin complex as found in nature the vitamin will not work. Whole food supplements are complete and much more potent than other supplements so it takes much less for them to have a positive effect! Our supplements also must be recommended, prescribed, and ordered by and through a doctor.
WHAT IS A "SYNTHETIC" VITAMIN?
Simply put they are vitamins created by man in a lab. They are manufactured synthetically with chemicals and do not come straight from their natural sources. They are made to mimic the way natural vitamins act in our bodies but many are missing some of the physiologically bio-available structures. Natural vitamins are derived directly from plant material containing the vitamin, not produced in a test tube. They often have added coloring, preservatives, and sugar to decrease cost and increase shelf life. Synthetics are exactly what they say.."synthetic" and not designed for human consumption...they are designed to make the scientist richer.
Many synthetic vitamins lack the transporters and co-factors associated with naturally occurring vitamins because they have been "reduced and isolated." The Organic Consumers Association emphasizes that isolated vitamins cannot be used or recognized by the body in the same way as the natural version [1].
The natural form of supplements which come from food are complete with ALL other other vitamins, enzymes and minerals that control the way the body recognizes, metabolizes and uses them to make what is needed to convert carbohydrates, proteins and fats into energy and building blocks for the body.
Test tube vitamins can rarely be used (digested and utilized) by the body, and are either stored until the body obtains or creates the nutrients required to use them effectively or are excreted. When excreted the urine turns into abnormal coloration (i.e. dark orange, neon yellow). Synthetic vitamins are usually also lacking of the necessary trace minerals and must use the body's own mineral reserves, which may lead to dangerous mineral deficiencies. When the body stores synthetic vitamins it can lead to toxicity and severe health problems.
Did You Know? More than 95% of all the vitamin supplements sold today fall into the synthetic category and are useless and a waste of money!
WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL ABOUT SYNTHETIC VITAMINS?
THEY DO NOT WORK AND MAY BE DANGEROUS!!!
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HOW DO I KNOW IF THE VITAMINS I'M BUYING ARE SYNTHETIC OR NATURAL?
The Organic Consumers Association has published an ingredients chart to help consumers identify natural vs. synthetic vitamins. Many vitamin producers want you to believe that you are getting a "natural product" because it seems more wholesome to take "natural" vitamins. Unfortunately, vitamins can be labeled as natural if they contain as little as 10% of the natural form of the vitamin. This means that your "natural" vitamin could contain 90% of synthetically produced chemicals! B-Vitamins and Vitamin C are also usually be synthetically produced.
COMMON SYNTHETIC VITAMINS TO AVOID
Look for clues on your vitamin's label that offer insight into the origin of the vitamin:
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Vitamin A as Retinyl Palmitate
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Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) as Thiamine Mononitrate, Thiamine Hydrochloride
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Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) as Riboflavin
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Pantothenic Acid as Calcium D-Pantothenate
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Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) as Pyridoxine Hydrochloride
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Vitamin B12 as Cyanocobalamin
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PABA (Para-aminobenzoic Acid) as Aminobenzoic Acid
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Folic Acid as Pteroylglutamic Acid
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Choline as Choline Chloride, Choline Bitartrate
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Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) as Ascorbic Acid
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Vitamin D as Irradiated Ergosteral, Calciferol
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Vitamin E as dl-alpha tocopherol, dl-alpha tocopherol acetate or succinate
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NOTE: The "dl" form of any vitamin is synthetic.
OTHER TOXIC INGREDIENTS TO AVOID IN SUPPLEMENTS
1. Artificial Colorants
Various FD&C Blue, Green, Red, and Yellow are approved by the FDA and are particularly notable in children’s vitamins. However, there is no reason that anyone really needs to be consuming these substances, especially given the fact that some have been linked to ADHD and immune system issues. [1]
2. Titanium Dioxide
Titanium dioxide is often used as a colorant in supplements and studies have linked it to immune system problems, inflammation, DNA damage and kidney toxicity. [2, 3, 4]
3. BHT
Butylated Hydroxytoluene, is an antioxidant preservative used in a range of products (including petroleum, cosmetics and even embalming fluid) to improve the shelf-life of fat-based products. Though it’s use is controversial, it has been linked to liver toxicity and some forms of cancer. [5]
4. Magnesium Silicate
Magnesium Silicate is talc (as in talcum powder or baby powder) and it’s used as an anti-caking agent in powder supplements. Studies have linked it to stomach cancer and lung inflammation. [6, 7]
5. Magnesium Stearate / Stearic Acid
Magnesium stearate is made from a combination of magnesium and stearic acid. Stearic acid is found naturally in vegetable and animal fats. It is used as a lubricant or “flow agent” for manufacturing supplements. (Flow agents are additives that keep the materials from sticking to the machines during processing.) Magnesium stearate also used as a coating for tablets. Controversy surrounds this particular additive mostly due to an old study that suggested its potential to negatively affect our immune systems, but recent studies and reviews claim no adverse health effects. [8] Controversy continues to surround the use of magnesium stearate because the stearic acid used to make the preservatives is sometimes taken from cottonseed, canola or palm oil. The majority of cottonseed and canola oil are sourced from GM crops, and palm oil is highly unsustainable.
6. Sodium Benzoate
Consumers should be aware of anything containing benzene as it has been linked to various cancers. Sodium benzoate can form benzene if it’s taken with ascorbic acid. Sodium benzoate has the potential to damage cells and DNA. [9]
References (5)
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Brian Clement PhD NMD. Nutri-Con: The Truth About Vitamins & Supplements. The Vitamin Myth Exposed. 2005 December 31.
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Calton, J.B. Prevalence of micronutrient deficiency in popular diet plans. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 7, 24 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1186/1550-2783-7-24
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Field CJ, Johnson IR, Schley PD. Nutrients and their role in host resistance to infection. J Leukoc Biol. 2002;71(1):16-32.
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Fletcher RH, Fairfield KM. Vitamins for chronic disease prevention in adults: clinical applications. JAMA. 2002;287(23):3127-3129. doi:10.1001/jama.287.23.3127.
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Misner B. Food alone may not provide sufficient micronutrients for preventing deficiency. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2006;3(1):51-55. Published 2006 Jun 5. doi:10.1186/1550-2783-3-1-51.
†Results may vary. Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician or other healthcare provider.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.