Summary
Many people don’t receive enough dietary nutrients alone.
More than half of the US population is currently consuming synthetic nutrients such as multivitamins.
There have however been many discussions about whether synthetic nutrients have the same advantages as natural nutrients.
Sources indicate that synthetic nutrients may even be hazardous.
This piece examines the science of synthetic and natural nutrients in an objective manner.
What’s Inside?
Natural vs Synthetic Nutrients Natural vs Synthetic Nutrients What is the Difference? Natural Nutrition Health Benefits Synthetic Nutrition Bonus TipWhat are natural and synthetic nutrients?
Here is the distinction between natural and synthetic nutrients:
Natural nutrients: produced from entire dietary sources.
Synthetic nutrients: Also called isolated nutrients, which are generally produced in an industrial process artificially.
No “whole food supplements,” produced from concentrated, dehydrated whole foods, contain synthetic nutrients.
Most supplements on the market today are artificially produced. These include, among other things, vitamins, antioxidants, minerals and amino acids.
They can be taken in the form of pills, capsules, tablets, powders or liquids and imitate how natural nutrients function in our bodies.
Check the tag to determine whether your supplement is synthetic or natural. Natural supplements generally list sources of food or are 100% plant or animal-based.
Additives that separately list nutrients such as vitamin C or use chemicals such as ascorbic acid are almost definitely synthetic.
Differences between natural and synthetic nutrients?
The opinion is recognized that synthetic nutrients are nearly identical chemically to those found in food.
However, the method of manufacturing of synthetic nutrients is very distinct from how they are produced by plants and animals. So your body can respond differently to synthetic nutrients despite having a comparable composition.
In addition, the absorption and use of synthetic nutrients in the body is uncertain. Certain can be absorbed more readily than others.
This is because you don’t consume single nutrients in actual food, but a whole variety of vitamins and minerals, co-factors and enzymes which enable the body to use them optimally.
Without these other compounds, the body is unlikely to use synthetic nutrients in the same manner as its natural counterparts.
Studies indicate, for instance, that natural vitamin E is absorbed double as synthetic vitamin E.
Whole food nutrients have health benefits.
All natural foods can contribute to managing and protecting against heart disease, diabetes, cancer and premature death.
These advantages are associated with the broad spectrum of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber and fatty acids found in all foods.
Vegetables and fruits.
Fiber, vitamins, minerals and plant compounds are provided in fruits and vegetables that are believed to be accountable for numerous health advantages.
Studies in observations indicate that greater intakes of fruits and vegetables are related to lower risk of heart disease, carcinogenicity, diabetes, arthritis and some brain disorders.
Increasing fruit consumption is related to lower blood pressure, decreased oxidative stress and enhanced blood sugar control.
One analysis discovered that the danger of heart disease decreased by 4-7 percent for each day part of fruit or vegetables eaten.
Oily Fish
Scientists think that the elevated omega-3 fatty acid content in oily fish leads to enhanced heart health.
Many big observer studies have shown that individuals who frequently consume fish have reduced chance of heart attack, stroke and heart disease death.
A research of more than 40,000 men between 40 and 75 years of age discovered that the risk of heart illness for those who routinely eat one or more portions of fish every week is 15percent smaller.
Beans and Legumes
Experts believe that the high soluble fiber content of bohemia and legume and the broad range of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants can contribute to the reduction of the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.
Eating one serving of legumes, such as beans, peas and chickpeas, every day was connected to 5% reduced LDL cholesterol and 5% to 6% less risk of heart illness.
Nuts and seeds
Nuts and seeds are high in antioxidant, mineral and healthy fats. Nuts and seeds are high. The risk of premature death, heart disease and diabetes has been decreased.
One study discovered that a 28% reduced risk of heart illness and a 22% reduced risk of Diabetes were associated with 4 weekly portions of nuts.
Whole grains.
Whole grains contain many useful nutrients including iron, magnesium and selenium fiber, B vitamins and minerals.
Full grain consumption has also been linked to cancer prevention, cardiac illness, diabetes and obesity.
Supplementary studies Mixed results have been provided.
While there are obviously many health advantages to natural nutrients, there are blended proof of synthetic supplements.
Multivitamins
Some observational studies have discovered that multivitamin use is combined with lower risk of heart illness and cancer.
There was, however, no impact observed in other research.
Multivitamin use is even linked to enhanced cancer risks.
A major research examined the impacts of a high-dose multivitamin on cardiac health. The research discovered that multivitamins did not have a positive impact after almost 5 years.
However, multivitamin supplements have been related to enhanced storage in elderly people.
However, the Health Study II discovered that 12 years of daily use of multivitamins did not influence memory and brain function for males above 65.
Vitamins single and paired.
One study discovered no clear proof of the advantage of heart disease with single or paired supplements.
However, some past studies have suggested that B vitamins such as follic acid can enhance brain function.
Yet other powerful studies report that dietary supplements, including B vitamins, do not enhance brain function.
Although vitamin D supplements are well known to be critical to excellent health and disease prevention, they are under scrutiny as well.
Vitamin D supplements have been associated, to name a few, with various advantages related to cancer, bone health and brain function. Yet more proof is necessary for professionals.
Experts usually agree that vitamin D supplements can enhance bone health in elderly individuals, when combined with calcium.
Antioxidants.
There has been no proof of assistance for antioxidant supplements such as beta carotene, vitamins A, C, E and selenium alone or together.
In reality the risk of cancer in smokers has been increased with beta-carotene supplements.
However, antioxidant vitamins and minerals can assist slow the development of blindness illnesses. More study is necessary, however.
Do you have synthetic nutrients to take?
There is no clear proof that most synthetic nutrients help healthy, well-nourished individuals.
However, certain groups can profit from synthetic nutrient supplementation. These include: elderly people: The vitamin D deficiency risk for this group is greater and the bone health can also require more vitamin B12 and calcium.
As certain vitamins and minerals are discovered in animal products, this group is often at a high danger for vitamin B12, calcium, zinc, iron and vitamin D deficiency..
vegetarians:
Pregnant and nursing females, such as Vitamin A can complement their diet with additional vitamins and/or minerals (such as Vitamin D).
Women of a baby era: this group is often urged to use an additional folic acid to decrease the likelihood of neural tube defects if they become pregnant. However, taking more than you need can be risky.
Nutrient impaired people: Some dietary supplements may treat nutrient impairment such as iron supplements for anaemia of iron impairment.
Synthetic nutrients may be harmful to the downright.
In particular, supplements are secure for most individuals based on the quantities indicated on the package.
However, before they are sold, the FDA Trusted Source does not review food supplements for safety and efficacy. Supplementary fraud can therefore happen.
In other words, supplements may have more or less nutrients than those indicated on the label. Others may contain non-labeling substances.
If you already use a broad variety of nutrients in your diet, additional supplements can exceed the recommended daily intake of many nutrients.
Water-soluble vitamins such as vitamin C and B vitamins are washed out through your urine when taken excessively. However, vitamins A, D, E and K, which are fat-soluble, can be stored in the body. This implies that they are at danger of building up to hypervitaminosis.
Pregnant women must pay special attention to their consumption of vitamin A, since excessive quantities have been associated with birth defects.
Results of many clinical trials indicate that a risk of premature death may be increased by beta-carotene, vitamin E and potentially elevated doses of vitamin A.
Other trials associate enhanced cancer danger with the multivitamins, and iron supplements may be detrimental to individuals who do not need them.
There is also some proof that synthetic folic acid in foods is more damaging than natural folate. The body can increase and can increase cancer risk.
Take home message.
Research constantly demonstrates that a good, balanced diet does not replace synthetic nutrients. It is always a better alternative to obtain natural nutrients from whole foods. However, if you really lack a particular nutrient, it can be useful to take a supplement.