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10 Reasons to Steer Clear of Synthetic Isolates

10 Reasons to Steer Clear of Synthetic Isolates

Published by Priya Khan headshot

Priya Khan on October 26, 2018

bioavailability buyer beware consumer advice education synthetic synthetic isolates tocopherols USPs vitamins whole-food

There is a lot of debate about the comparative advantages and disadvantages of synthetic versus vitamins from food sources, and there are passionate critics and ardent supporters on both sides of this debate. Those on the side of synthetic vitamins argue that there is no evidence that natural vitamins work and question whether it matters if the vitamins are lab-made or from food as long as they work as intended to minimize deficiency risk and support good health. Staunch supporters of vitamins from food sources, the kind of vitamins that are extracted entirely from authentic, pantry-friendly foods, counter that while there may not be conclusive scientific evidence that vitamins from food work or that they are substantially better than synthetic isolates, there is certainly sufficient evidence that synthetic vitamins, even if they work, are certainly less safe than vitamins from foods.

At NutriGold, we recognize and respect consumers' right to make the purchasing decision that is right for them and are committed to doing everything we can to empower consumers with the information they need to make that decision. So, we have put together this infographic that provides a list of reasons we steer clear of synthetic, lab-made vitamin isolates when formulating our products. For more detailed information regarding vitamins from food vs. synthetic vitamins, check out our Clean Label section.

Ten Reasons to Steer Clear of Synthetic Vitamin Isolates

Synthetic vitamins are isolated and fractionated, which is not the form in which vitamins occur in nature.

Many of the industrial chemicals and solvents used to synthesize vitamin isolates are not fit for human consumption.

Synthetic vitamins do not have the necessary cofactors for their proper utilization by the body; the body has to reconstruct the vitamins using its own reserve of cofactors, and this can, over time, lead to nutrient depletion.

The rate of absorption of synthetic vitamins is lower because they have to undergo a considerable amount of transformation before the body can use them.

Natural vitamins behave differently than synthetic vitamins (e.g. d-alpha tocopherol is not the same as dl-alpha tocopherol).

The body does not have any built-in mechanisms for making sense of isolated, fractionated vitamins; this reduces their overall bioavailability.

Because the body does not have a mechanism for processing synthetic vitamins, they are sometimes viewed as foreign substances and targeted for removal from the body.

Synthetic vitamins not used by the body must be removed by the liver, skin, and kidneys; this increases the burden on the body.

The toxic load on the body from consumption of synthetic vitamins far outweighs any benefits they may provide.

The addition of fruit and vegetable powders to a synthetic vitamin does not make the vitamin whole-food; it is still in the isolated, fractionated form.

To view the complete article, visit our Clean Label section.