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Hello friends and health advocates!
We're halfway through summer and it's time for another issue of Dr. Mike's Health Newsletter. I've just finished writing a magazine article regarding the use of natural vs synthetic nutrients. Since many meal replacement and vitamin/mineral supplements out there contain artificial ingredients, I though it important to share this information with you. So, without futher ado, let's compare the two and see which one wins (as if you didn't already know!).
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Nutrients can be broadly based into two general classes: artificial
and natural. Within these two groups are subcategories such as: combinations of
artificial and natural ingredients, as well as plant-based and animal-based.
The focus of this article will be on the differences and advantages/disadvantages
of plant-based and synthetic nutrients.
Since more consumers are relying on additional
supplementation for health purposes, it's important to know the differences
between nutrients derived from living plants and those from non-living, inert chemicals. The wrong choice can have short and
long term consequences.
The first and most obvious difference between
the two categories is that plant-based nutrients were once part of a living
biological organism, perfect in form and function; where synthetic nutrients
are principally man-made; the result of trial, error and experimentation. The
primary reasons that many nutrients today are synthetic are convenience and
money. It is much easier and cost-effective to access chemicals in bulk and process
them in one or two main locations. Dr. Richard Drucker, founder and CEO of
Drucker Labs, Inc., states: "Since synthetic vitamins and
chemical nutrients are designed for cost purposes, they are created from
plentiful and inexpensive sources, not from whole foods or plant matter. They
are the cheapest supplements to be found." On
the other hand, the cost of growing, harvesting and processing real plant
nutrients is far more costly. |
On the surface, synthetic nutrients may look
and even taste similar to the plant-based organic nutrients, but they are not
identical. This difference in chemical structure is what not only keeps them
from delivering the health benefits they should, but can also be detrimental to
one's health over time. Anything not inherently found in nature, has the
potential to be toxic to the body which may eventually result in a variety of
health infirmities.
Studies have repeatedly shown that synthetic
nutrients do not compare to living plant-derived nutrients when it comes to
health benefits. For example, in a study done to test the anti-oxidant
capability of a synthetic form of vitamin C vs natural Ascorbic acid, it was found that synthetic
antioxidant food additives (BHA, TBHQ, and BHT) conventionally used in the food
industry were less effective antioxidants than ascorbic acid.
Additionally, since the size and chemical
structure are not identical to naturally-occurring nutrients, synthetics generally are less bioavailable (unable
to permeate the cell membrane for use as fuel), rendering them inefficient, and
they have a tendency to get stored in specific areas of the body such as the
tissues between the cells, lymph fluids and subcutaneous fat. The body's immune
system views these new additions as foreign invaders and does what it's
supposed to do - attacks them. This is known as auto-intoxification and is
believed to be a contributing factor in many auto-immune diseases.
Most synthetic vitamins come in several
forms: powders, pills and capsules. Binders and fillers used in discounted
mass-volume supplements, such as dibasic calcium phosphate (DCP) and
microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), can't be broken down by the body, so they may pass right through along
with the beneficial nutrients.
Tons of un-dissolved pills have been found in sewer pipes. These same binder
compounds can remain in the bloodstream long after the pill has been eliminated
and over time can accumulate in the tissues which may lead to various health
complications including heart disease, stroke, pre-mature aging, painful
joints, and kidney stones.
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Chemical solvents such as benzene and
toluene have been and are being used in the processing of synthetic nutrients.
In fact, some of the chemicals used to manufacture solid supplements are
identical to those used in insecticides, motor fuels, explosives and lacquers.
On the
other hand, nutrients that are produced in nature from real, living plant matter
are made up of a structure that is readily absorbed and utilized by the body. They
are not recognized as foreign invaders and are eagerly accepted by the cells as
beneficial food to be used for the various biological functions of the body for
optimal health.
A key in
the bioavailability of living plant-based material is carbon. Carbon is what
primarily separates organic from inorganic. Nutrients derived from living
material contain a carbon atom, artificial nutrients do not. Nearly all
synthetic nutrients are inorganic. Why is this so important? The human body is carbon-based.
Therefore, the food that is consumed should be carbon-based or organic as well.
For example, studies have shown the bioavailability of vitamin E
in the form of alpha-tocopherol from natural, organic sources is much better than that of the synthetic
stereoisomer mixtures.
Not only are plant-based nutrients superior
to synthetic in every way, they also contain all the body needs for homeostasis
(keeping the body in a state of optimal health balance). Synthetic nutrients
simply cannot compete with plant-based, living, organic foods, nor can they
provide complete nutrition.
When making the choice of the best nutritional supplements,
look for organically complexed (carbon bound) supplements derived from whole
foods, minimally processed and made from the highest quality ingredients. It's
best to avoid preservatives, synthetics ingredients and binders as much as
possible to acquire the best possible
nutrition. Good health is ultimately worth the investment.
Thank you once again for reading. Keep enjoying the summer weather!
Until next month, I remain yours in good health,
Dr. Mike
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