· By Lorea Lastiri
Why Choose Organic Vitamin Supplements? The Benefits You Need to Know
Vitamins are found in the various foods that we eat. These vital nutrients offer multiple health benefits and help with essential body functions such as metabolism, growth, and central nervous system activities. If you want to increase your intake of essential vitamins and avoid vitamin deficiency, you can consider turning to supplements.
Supplements can either be organic or synthetic. You should consider choosing organic vitamin supplements over synthetic ones as they are all-natural, easy to absorb, contain fewer toxins, offer more nutritional value, plus many more benefits.
In this article, we will explain the benefits of organic vitamin supplements, the differences between organic and synthetic vitamin supplements, and how you can choose the right natural vitamin supplements.
1. All-natural and contain fewer toxins
Organic supplements have no additives. They are made from natural food sources and organic ingredients rather than being made synthetically. Mostly, the plants used to make these supplements are grown using organic fertilizers and pest management techniques rather than using synthetic chemicals and pesticides.
The absence of herbicides and pesticides in the production of crops used to make organic supplements reduces the risk of exposure to toxic residues. Toxic residues have been associated with various health concerns.
2. Higher nutritional value
Organic supplements have more nutritional value than their synthetic counterparts. This is because natural supplements are made from whole food sources or organic foods. Whole food sources contain essential natural nutrients such as carotenoids, healthy fats, fatty acids, and antioxidants, which are very helpful to your body.
Another reason why organic supplements have higher nutritional value is because the supplements are made from organic compounds extracted from crops that have been grown using organic farming practices. Typically, crops grown using organic farming practices have more nutritional value than crops grown using synthetic pesticides and fertilizers.
Natural vitamin supplements offer essential nutrients such as:
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Vitamin C: It boosts your body's capacity to fight infections and produce collagen.
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Vitamin D: It helps to boost bone health and immune function.
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Vitamin E: It offers antioxidant properties that help to protect your cells from damage.
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Vitamin K: It improves bone health and makes your blood clot when you are injured.
3. Better absorption
Natural and synthetic nutrients have different bioavailability. Bioavailability refers to the extent to which your body can absorb and utilize nutrients.
Research shows that organic vitamins are more bioavailable than synthetic vitamins. This means that the human body processes and absorbs natural vitamins more efficiently. For this reason, lower doses of organic vitamin supplements may sometimes offer better results than higher doses of synthetic vitamin supplements.
4. Support for environmental sustainability
Organic supplements are made from crop and animal products that have been produced using sustainable agricultural practices. Sustainable agricultural practices conserve the soil, water and promote biodiversity.
By buying organic supplements, you support and encourage the farmers who grow organic products to continue conserving the environment.
What are the key differences between synthetic and organic vitamin supplements?
Natural and synthetic vitamins have significant differences. Learn more about these differences below.
Sources
Organic supplements are made from natural sources such as vegetables, fresh fruits, and other whole foods. These supplements undergo very minimal processing and are free from artificial additives, pesticides, and synthetic chemicals.
For instance, the vitamin C that you’ll find in an organic supplement may be derived from natural sources such as acerola cherries or citrus fruits, while natural vitamin E may be extracted from wheat germ and sunflower seeds.
On the other hand, synthetic vitamins are usually made in laboratories using synthetic ingredients. The vitamins are made in a way that they mimic the molecular structure of natural vitamins. For example, synthetic vitamin C that is added to fortified foods and beverages is usually made from ascorbic acid. The ascorbic acid is made when glucose is fermented.
Safety and side effects
Organic supplements are mostly considered to be safe because they don’t have any harmful synthetic additives.
On the other hand, synthetic supplements can sometimes cause adverse health effects, especially if you consume them in high doses. For instance, research shows that excessive intake of synthetic vitamin E can increase the risk of hemorrhagic stroke.
Taking mega doses of synthetic vitamins may cause adverse health issues, as these synthetic vitamins contain binders, fillers, or artificial colors. These additives can trigger allergic reactions in your body and other health issues.
Also read: Can You Take Too Many Vitamins? Unraveling the complexities of supplementation.
Cost
Usually, synthetic supplements are less expensive than their natural counterparts. This is because it is more expensive to source and produce natural vitamins than synthetic vitamins.
How to choose the right organic vitamin supplements
As people across the world continue to value good health and become more health conscious, the demand for organic supplements is increasing gradually. A lot of people see these supplements as a good way to address nutritional gaps while avoiding the risks that are associated with synthetic supplements.
With countless options available, you may find it difficult to choose the right organic vitamin supplement for yourself and your loved ones. Fortunately, we are here to guide you.
Here is how to choose the right organic vitamin supplements:
Understand your nutritional needs
The first thing you need to do while shopping for organic supplements is to ensure that you understand your body’s unique nutritional requirements. This is because every person has different needs depending on their age, gender, lifestyle, and health conditions.
For instance, pregnant women and women who are of childbearing age often need more iron and folic acid, while elderly people may require additional calcium and vitamin D to enhance their bone health. Vitamin D also helps to regulate your mood and fight diseases.
A healthcare service provider can help you understand your nutritional needs. The professional may conduct blood tests and dietary assessments to identify any deficiencies that you may have. This ensures that the supplements you choose address your specific needs rather than adding nutrients that you don’t need to your regimen.
You may also like: What Supplements Are Safe During Pregnancy? Answered!
Look out for organic labeling
When it comes to organic supplements, certification is very important. Remember to always look for products that carry a reputable organic certification label, such as USDA Organic or EU Organic. When you see a product with this certification, you can be sure that the product has been produced without synthetic pesticides, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), or harmful chemicals.
Certified organic supplements undergo rigorous testing and must meet strict standards to ensure that consumers enjoy safe, quality, and genuine products.
Prioritize whole-food-based supplements
Whole-food-based supplements are derived from natural food sources. This makes it easier for your body to recognize and absorb these supplements. The supplements often contain a combination of nutrients, like vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and antioxidants, which work together to support optimal health and wellness.
For example, a whole-food vitamin C supplement may include extracts from fruits like acerola cherries. Besides vitamin C, this fruit contains other natural nutrients. Therefore, when you buy a supplement made with extracts from this fruit, you get to enjoy the benefits of other natural nutrients in the fruit.
Check the ingredient list
Before you select an organic vitamin supplement, it is important to go through the ingredient list. Avoid products with too many artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or synthetic fillers. Instead, go for supplements with minimal ingredients that you can recognize.
Remember to also pay attention to the source of the vitamins and minerals. For instance, calcium that is derived from algae is generally considered to be more bioavailable and sustainable than calcium carbonate, which is sourced from rocks. Similarly, vitamin E from sunflower oil is often preferred over synthetic forms like dl-alpha-tocopherol.
Assess the manufacturing practices
The way a supplement is manufactured can significantly affect its quality and effectiveness. Always look for brands that follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and have third-party certifications. These standards ensure that the supplements are produced in controlled environments and meet strict quality criteria.
Many reputable brands also conduct independent testing to verify the potency, purity, and safety of their products. Companies can even show you certificates of analysis (COAs) for transparency purposes.
Consider dosage and form
The dosage and form of a supplement can influence its effectiveness and convenience. Choose a product that provides an appropriate dose of the nutrients you need without exceeding the recommended daily intake. Consuming very large doses of supplements can lead to adverse effects, especially with fat-soluble vitamins like K, A, D, and E, which build up in the body over time.
Supplements come in various forms, including capsules, tablets, powders, and liquids. Supplements that come in liquid form are generally easier to digest and absorb, especially for individuals with digestive problems. If you would like to add your supplements to smoothies or other foods, consider buying supplements that come in powder form. Chewables are made to appeal to children or those who dislike swallowing pills.
Evaluate brand reputation
It is essential to choose a manufacturer whose products and practices have a good reputation in the market. Before you buy from a particular brand, research its history, what people say about it, and how it is committed to offering quality products.
Always go for brands that invest in research and development and prioritize transparency because these brands are more likely to produce high-quality products. Avoid companies that make exaggerated health claims or lack third-party certifications.
Factor in cost
Although price shouldn’t be the only factor you consider while shopping for a vitamin supplement, it can be a good indicator of whether the product you are buying is of good quality or substandard quality. Always remember that the cheapest option is not always the best alternative. Most of the time, high-quality products are often associated with higher prices.
If you are looking to cut costs while buying your favorite supplements, compare prices across various brands and look for discounts or subscription options that can reduce costs.
Avoid common pitfalls
When choosing an organic vitamin supplement, you should be cautious of the following pitfalls:
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Unrealistic claims: Be wary of products that promise miraculous results in a short time. Supplements are meant to support overall health, not replace a balanced diet or medical treatment.
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Lack of transparency: Avoid brands that do not share where they get their ingredients from, their manufacturing practices, or third-party testing results.
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Overly complex formulas: Some supplements contain a long list of ingredients, some of which can increase the risk of allergies. To avoid exposing yourself or the people you love to such risks, stick to products that focus on delivering the nutrients you need without unnecessary additives.
Takeaway: Get Why Not Natural organic vitamin supplements for optimal health
Organic vitamin supplements offer multiple health benefits to your body. The supplements are different from synthetic ones in many ways. For instance, they are safer and costlier than their synthetic counterparts.
In addition, they are made from organic sources, while synthetic vitamin supplements are made through chemical processes in a lab set-up.
In order to choose the right organic supplement, you need to understand your nutritional needs, look for certified organic supplement labels, prioritize whole-food-based supplements, check the ingredient list, assess the manufacturing practices, consider dosage and form, evaluate brand reputation, and factor in cost.
It's important to understand that supplements are not a substitute for a nutritious diet. You still need to eat a healthy diet with all the nutrients that your body needs to avoid nutrient deficiencies.
You can count on Why Not Natural for all your dietary supplement needs. Check out our collection of various organic supplements and start enjoying their health benefits. We have supplements that nourish your body with vitamins and others that offer other nutrients. We make our dietary supplements from natural ingredients and ensure they are free of fillers and other additives, thus allowing you to fully enjoy the benefits of the core ingredient.
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