Natural vs Synthetic Supplements: What Does Science Say?
With so many options available on the supplement market, it’s hard to know where to begin. Pair this with differing opinions and the access we have to information online, and analysis paralysis can set in. Education is the first step to understanding your options. And knowing the difference between natural and synthetic nutrients is a great place to start.
The Difference Between Natural and Synthetic Supplements
Put simply, natural supplements contain active ingredients that are sourced from whole food sources (like plants or minerals), while synthetic supplements contain active ingredients that are made in labs using chemical processes to mimic the structure of natural nutrients.
When compared to each other, natural and synthetic supplements may appear to be similar, however their differences lie in bioavailability, efficacy and overall health impact.
The Science: Bioavailability, Co-Factors and Nutrient Absorption
So, are synthetic nutrients the same as nutrients from the source? The answer is… sometimes. Many synthetic nutrients are bioidentical which means their chemical structure is exactly the same as the natural version (for example ascorbic acid and vitamin C). In other cases, synthetic forms are different and not as effective as their natural counterparts (for example natural vitamin E is more effective than synthetic vitamin E because of its richer mix of tocopherols).
The reason a synthetic nutrient might not be as effective as a natural nutrient is because it’s form and structure is different, affecting how the body uses it and making it less bioavailable. Additionally, natural nutrients may come with co-factors, which are other nutrients that help enhance absorption. For example, the grape seed proanthocyanidins found in Procydin® come bundled with plant polyphenols and flavonoids, co-factors that enhance antioxidant activity and improve cell protection. Sutherlandia is another example of a whole-plant extract (found in Promune®) that contains a full complex of compounds like canavanine and flavonoids that work together to support immunity.
Bioavailability is important because it refers to how much of a nutrient your body can use, and when it comes down to it, natural actives sourced from whole food sources usually outperform synthetic versions as they’re absorbed and utilised more effectively by the body due to their structure and co-factors.
Why Choose Natural Actives?
It’s easy to think that ‘natural’ automatically means safer or more effective, however natural actives are only as good as the quality of their sourcing methods and scientific validation. At Value Added Life, we walk the middle path between science and nature, taking the positives from both to help all people take charge of their health.
While synthetic actives can be a more affordable option with similar benefits, there are key advantages to choosing natural ingredients:
- Nutrients are closer to nature, like the ones you get directly from your food
- They often offer higher absorption and efficacy
- Contain fewer synthetic additives and molecules your body doesn’t recognise
This means when you choose natural actives like those in our Value Added Life range, you can be confident that you’re supporting your body the way nature intended.