As online dieticians, we always establish the first things
first: whole foods. The majority of your nutrition should
come from sources of whole grains and fresh fruits and
vegetables, followed by lean protein and healthy fats.
Then, to compensate for the deficiencies in our diet, or
damage caused by toxins and free radicals in our body, we
need to add multivitamins and anti-oxidants. Some
supplements may help ensure that you get adequate amounts
of essential nutrients or help promote optimal health and
performance if you do not consume a variety of foods in
proper amounts. Dietary supplements are not intended to
treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure disease. In
some cases, dietary supplements may even have unwanted
effects. Then there is this question: Which are better,
"synthetic" or food-based "natural" dietary supplements?
The proper nutritional program is essential to an effective
online diet plan.
As with most research, both sides are supported and
rebutted. Currently, the definition of "natural" in foods
and dietary supplements has not been established by the
government. Therefore, the interpretation can vary greatly.
There is a common misconception that "natural" vitamins and
minerals are extracted from plants in their pure form and
as such are superior to "synthetic" vitamins and minerals,
which are made in a laboratory. This can be misleading
because it is not possible to extract pure vitamins from
plants without considerable amounts of chemical processing.
Also, the biological activity of a compound has nothing to
do with its source, but is determined by its chemical
structure. So really, whether the chemical originates from
a leafy plant or a test tube, it is the same compound.
Some vitamin and antioxidant compounds can be efficiently
synthesized in factories to produce products that are
identical in chemical form to those found in nature and
that are pure and fully safe. Some synthetic vitamins are
preferentially absorbed over food sources and vice versa.
Folic Acid, for example, is preferentially absorbed and
utilized over natural food folates that must go through
several conversion processes to be utilized as folic acid.
Vitamin E, a fat-soluble vitamin, exists in eight different
forms. Each form has its own biological activity, which is
the measure of potency or functional use in the body.
Alpha-tocopherol is the name of the most active from of
vitamin E in humans. It is also a powerful biological
antioxidant. Vitamin E in supplements is usually sold as
alpha-tocopheryl acetate, a form that protects its ability
to function as an antioxidant, and is sometimes derived
from soy. The synthetic form is labeled "D, L" while the
natural from is labeled "D." The synthetic form is only
half as active as the natural form.
There are no known differences in the biological activity
of natural and synthetic L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C). As
reported by the Linus Pauling Institute, a study in 68 male
nonsmokers found that ascorbic acid consumed as cooked
broccoli, orange juice, orange slices, and synthetic
ascorbic acid tablets are equally bioavailable, as measured
by plasma ascorbic acid.
Most important: since the FDA doesn't regulate nutritional
supplements, look for ones that offer purity, safety,
effectiveness, bioavailability, and whether natural or
synthetic, ones that are best absorbed and utilized by the
body. Such standards may be upheld when a product has a GMP
(good manufacturing practice) seal on it, is potency
guaranteed and may also be reviewed by the following
organizations:
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Everything Pills is a leader in online nutritional service.
Find more information on the latest products and
ingredients at http://www.everythingpills.com/ .
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