Vitamin Supplements - Are Natural Products Better?
83It seems we are all caught up in the quest for a longer, healthier life, and, at the very least, a healthier one appears to be well within our grasp. We are bombarded on every side with advertisements for vitamin and mineral combinations, all sorts of multivitamin products, and a bewildering array of dietary supplements, all promising to make us younger-looking outside, and younger feeling inside.
Numerous studies have indicated that taking vitamin supplements helps to improve overall health and boost the immune system. Information is available to help us find the correct supplement to help alleviate almost any condition imaginable. The real question we face is not whether to take a dietary supplement, nor even which one to take. The big question now, is whether to use any supplement, or to use only natural source vitamins and supplements.
Arguably, we should be able to get the vitamins and minerals we need from our diet. Unfortunately even the most balanced diet may not deliver the nutrient content we require for total health. Current agricultural practices coupled with soil depletion and the rapid spread of convenience foods make this increasingly difficult.
As well, recent studies have pointed researchers towards genetic anomalies that may prevent some people from ingesting the amount of a vitamin or mineral their body requires, even though it is available in their diet. This unlocks a whole new potential for individually targeted dietary supplements.
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As exciting as these findings are, the question still remains - do synthetic supplements deliver the same benefits, milligram for milligram, as the naturally sourced supplements?
So far, there have been no definitive, widely-accepted studies that clearly demonstrate the superior qualities of one over the other, and many doctors will not prescribe one over the other, telling their patients that either natural source or synthetic, man-made vitamin supplements will work equally well. So it remains for the individual to decide which dietary supplements will be more beneficial.
Certainly cost can be a factor in deciding which vitamin supplements to use, but that shouldn't be your only guideline. If, however, natural-source supplement is simply too costly an option at this time, it is probably better to take the purest synthetic vitamins you can afford, rather than taking nothing at all.
When considering which supplements to take, the real trick is to compare apples to apples. This means that the comparison should be on the concentration of each particular vitamin in this brand as opposed to that one, the purity of the medium in which the vitamins and minerals are carried, and whether the product is "bulked up" with unnecessary fillers and additives.
One of the claims that needs to be closely examined is the claim of some natural vitamins that their components are organic source compounds. The FDA is developing some very strict regulations governing such claims made by food producers, but the Health Supplement industry is largely unregulated at this point.
Most responsible supplement manufacturers are moving towards standardization of the measurements of the components of their products, but it is difficult to tell which product has a higher concentration of a particular vitamin or mineral when one product measures the amount in "standard units", one measures it in milligrams or parts thereof, and yet another measures it as a percentage of the total solution.
Terms such as "organic", "pure", and "natural" abound on advertisements and labels, all vying for our attention and our dollars. The only recourse we have as consumers is to do exactly what we should do with anything else we are contemplating putting inside our bodies - read the label.
Here are some questions that can help you decide which products to choose:
- Does the label or brochure clearly state the source of the vitamins and minerals? Most reputable companies will not only tell you the composition of the elements, it will tell you where they come from - for example: Jamieson Natural Source Okinawa Coral Calcium, or Okinawa Oyster Shell Calcium
- Does the label tell you exactly what is in the capsule as well as its composition? Some of the less expensive vitamin supplements contain skim milk powder (filler), cornstarch (a binder), guar gum (another popular binder). Some even list the gelatin of the capsule and the FDA number of any coloring. Avoid supplements that contain any fillers if at all possible.
- If the herbal supplement you're considering claims to be "organically" grown, what agency does it use as its guarantor? Be willing to do a some checking, besides reading the glossy product brochure.
Just as we had to learn to read the labels on the food we buy at the grocery store, we need to become aware of what makes up the supplements we are considering purchasing. .As with our food, the more natural and pure the ingredients in our vitamin and dietary supplements are, the more likely they will be to fulfill our bodies' needs.
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Are natural-source vitamins our best choice?
Whether we are choosing liquid supplements for ease of use, multivitamins for convenience, or taking each vitamin and mineral combination separately, we need to educate ourselves about what is available, and what are our best choices, or we'll be no better off than if we flipped a coin.
© 2010, Text by Elle Fredine, All rights reserved
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Thank you for a very informative hub. It is good that we learn more about it.
I think natural products metabolize better in your body than vitamin and mineral pills.
Since the quality of nowadays food taking a vitamins and minerals supplement is a good idea. Possibly from natural sources, but as you said these are pretty costly. Another good thing would be eating vegetables like wild rocket which are full of them.
Maybe we don't really need supplements, but better play safe and buy them from reliable sources, because as you rightly said their chemical form influences their absorption. Very good hub, rated and stumbled.
Imelda and Hh, thanks so much for stopping by to comment!
alekhouse, I believe that is the case, too. Some of the liquid ones also are more easily absorbed, too.
Hey, dude - thanks so much. It would be great to explore some new-to-us vegetables. Thanks so much for the rate and stumble.
It seems logical for natural to bet superior. I do agree that liquids are easier to absorb. Good information and hub.
Hi, Pamela99 - it seems that way to me, too. ;) Thanks!
Real life is neither black, nor white. In fact, the failures of science tend to arise from wanting universal yes or no truths. That being said, some natural vitamins are better than others. Some forms of absorption are better for some products. Some companies do a lot of research on the engineering of absorption, effectiveness, and time release mechanisms. Furthermore, some combinations are better than others. Even more, some minerals are essential for the absorption of others, and all vitamins are dependent upon minerals, amino-acids, and other vitamins to be integrated. You can have enough vitamin B to reach toxic levels and still not get the correct use of it without copper, iron, and glucose. Testosterone and other hormones are essential for the metabolism of many vitamins and minerals.
My best advice is a little bit expensive. Try different brands, stay on each for a few days, and move to the next one, going back and forth to create an ABABAB or ABCABC trial process. Become very self aware of how you feel and are affected by each supplement. Then, compare and decide. This is kind of a life time ongoing process that must be practiced every time you decide to try a new product.
Thanks for your comments and helpful advice, gramon1.
Thanks for a great hub. I really don't think there's much difference, though.
You always have such well written, resourced, laid out hubs, and it is a pleasure reading them. Thanks for providing us with such excellent information! I always know I will learn something useful and relevant from your work.
Most welcome P7 - not sure on that either. Oh well - thanks so much for stopping by to comment!
Enelle - always a pleasure! You are most welcome. I really enjoy writing when I know there are readers out there like you!
I think the body can absorb vitamins from natural foods better than it can from a pill. But since the average American diet is deficient in some of the vitamins, it is good idea to supplement with over-the-counter vitamins and supplements -- I do at least.
Greetings 'paradox! We all have to change the way we eat, or make up for dietary failures somehow, I agree.
At my age,yes I may need supplements, but then again I still believe in real natural sources of vitamins.
I know, that those over the counter things are branded natural and yes, those have undergone the most strict process to ensure that even a small percentage of vitamins gets lost along the process.
It will be good to really stick to a healthy diet and exercise to maximize the effects of vitamins.
I agree at first it would seem that natural would be superior - but our soils have been so depleted of some vital minerals that some over-the-counter supplements may be very beneficial.
Hi, Janet49 - I certainly agree. A healthy diet is the best place to start. Nice to meet you!
You raise a good point, Beth. I don't think there are any easy answers.
Thanks for the visit, Health Stores - I have included your comments without the link
Health Store 22 hours ago
Now a days people are more conscious with what they eat and their health and now there are so many individual and companies selling health products and programs that it would be hard to determine what would be the best choice might it be diet, supplements or exercise regimen which makes it more difficult to choose but I guess at the end of the day the choice is in your hands don't let anyone tell you whats best for your health
RedElf,
I ignored vitamins and nutrition until I was 45. I am now wiser and taking an active role in the nutrients that feed my body. Avoiding sugar is the obstacle I must face.
I just started reading labels for sodium and am shocked. Beware of the frozen foods - they are killers - literally.
Great Hub!
Thanks so much GmaGoldie! We try to watch out for that, but it's hard to read all that fine print - definitely worth the time though!
thanx for information thnx man
Thanks so much fro stopping by and commenting, ferrari2012.
There were times when no one was taking supplements. We simply consumed what was in our gardens or what was available, in the season and were healthy and happy.
Now, vitamins to sort the back ache ( we know:less glued to our chairs=less pain, but taking a double dose of vitamin C is just easier), more vitamin C to stay up for longer (glued to that chair), vitamin B to help us cope with the stress ( as we have to stay awake for hours, sitting down), zinc for our poor skin ( which we have forgotten about completely for about 3 months, until the alarm: pimples & wrinkles joined in alliance and come out all together)...
The nature has it, but it is much more convenient to go healthy picking some bottled vitamins.
Thanks for reminding us that we do have a choice and if we opt for "bottled health" to read the ingredients, quantities etc.
Yikes! Ain't it the truth. You'd really think it would be worth a bit of extra effort, too. Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Evita's Fashion.
I think most woman overdo it with the amount of vitamins they take. Iron, for example, is a vitamin that perimenopausal and menopausal woman, don't necessarily need, where Calcium is very important. Ladies, do your homework to see what you really need.
Debbie
Thanks for the sage advice, Debbie. It's always so important that we do our homework to find out what we need and what is out there before buying.
Imelleda 2 years ago
My doctor says there's no dif, but I'm not so sure.