It’s funny how things swing in roundabouts.
Health is no different, as we all strive to find the best way to support our bodies and protect ourselves from disease and illness. Before the invention of synthetic products, humans needed to find the right herbs and plants to aid themselves and the knowledge they gained over generations of doing this opened the doors to discovering more plants, learning of their qualities and learning the best ways to give them to the body.
Along the way, some of our best and brightest discovered we could produce our own products synthetically in laboratories. While we can’t discredit the fact that these discoveries have saved millions of lives over the last century, it is also unfortunate that this has distanced many of us from natural solutions, as people choose to rely on their doctors to prescribe them synthetic medication that can at times have some awful side effects. In many cases these are mostly bandaid solutions for diseases that come from us not being in tune with our world and the vitamins, minerals and food it provides us with as we get stuck in a world of fast food, pollution and solutions to stress such as drinking and smoking.
So, let’s compare synthetic and natural health options and explore the benefits and disadvantages of each solution by asking key questions:
How are they sourced?
Synthetic supplements are produced through chemical processes in a lab and often miss other naturally occurring compounds found in wholefoods. While they are usually chemically identical to their natural counterparts they lack the accompanying compounds that help the body to absorb and aid effectiveness.
On the other hand, natural supplements are derived directly from whole foods, plants, herbs and other natural sources. Nature knows what it is doing, and provides vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients in a balanced, complex form in a way that allows the body to absorb them without nasty side effects. (Unless we consider allergies of course)
This leads to the next question:
What is the difference between absorption and bio-availability between synthetic and natural supplements?
The body’s ability to absorb and utilize a nutrient—known as its bioavailability—can vary significantly between natural and synthetic versions of the same nutrient. Bioavailability is influenced by the nutrient’s form, structure, and whether it’s accompanied by other compounds that aid in absorption. Some synthetic forms are harder for the body to absorb or may not be as effectively utilized. For example, synthetic vitamin E (dl-alpha-tocopherol) is less bioavailable than its natural form (d-alpha-tocopherol). The synthetic version, dl-alpha-tocopherol, is a mixture of both d- and l- alpha-tocopherol forms. However, the body only recognizes the d- form as biologically active. The presence of the l- form can reduce the supplement’s overall effectiveness because the body can’t use this form as efficiently. As a result, synthetic vitamin E is about 50% less bioavailable than the natural form, meaning you’d need to take higher doses to achieve similar benefits.
That is an astonishing difference!!
On the flipside, due to the fact natural supplements come from whole food sources, they may contain co-factors—other vitamins, minerals, and enzymes—that enhance the absorption and utilization of the nutrient by the body. This synergy can make natural supplements potentially more bioavailable, meaning easier access to the goodies! Looking at vitamin E as an example again; in nature, vitamin E exists as a single, biologically active form called d-alpha-tocopherol. This form has a specific molecular structure that fits perfectly into vitamin E receptors in the body, making it easier to absorb and more effective in supporting antioxidant functions!
What about the other stuff that may find its way into the supplements during production?
Synthetic supplements are produced.... synthetically. This means they often have binding agents ,additives or preservatives to increase shelf life or even simply make the product more visually appealing. These agents can create issues with digestion and cause sensitivity in some people. These usually aren’t considered when swallowing that daily pill.
While these agents or fillers can be found in natural supplements, it is usually to a much lesser degree and most producers of natural products avoid over processing to focus on delivering nutrients in a closer-to-nature form.
How about cost and accessibility?
Synthetic products are less expensive and more widely available, as they are easier to mass produce. This reduces cost significantly. These supplements are formulated with isolated nutrients created through chemical processes, meaning they don’t require the same agricultural resources or careful handling as natural ingredients. This can make synthetic supplements cheaper and more widely available, particularly in larger retail outlets.
So why spend more on Natural products?
While natural health supplements are often more expensive upfront, they can actually prove more cost-effective over time, as they support the body’s own ability to maintain and defend itself, essentially giving your body the power to be its own doctor. When you provide your body with natural, nutrient-dense supplements and eliminate toxic additives, fillers, and artificial ingredients, your body’s detoxification systems—like the liver and kidneys—don’t have to work as hard to process foreign substances.
Over time, this “cleaner” approach reduces the body’s toxic load, allowing for better immune function, energy levels, and resistance to illness. Not only that, but natural supplements also include complementary nutrients that support the body’s absorption and use of the primary nutrient. This means that, over time, your body may be able to absorb and utilize nutrients more effectively, reducing the need for larger doses or additional supplements to correct deficiencies. When we build our bodies natural resilience, we reduce the need for supplementation and the cost that goes with it. (Something the pharmaceutical corporations would not want you to know! As their business model relies on our need for continued use of synthetic supplements and medicine.)
In essence, natural products win in terms of what is best for your body.
Through increased wellness, we can reduce our health expenses dramatically and improve our lives at the same time. By regularly nourishing the body with natural, bioavailable nutrients, many people find they experience fewer colds, infections, and health issues in general, which can reduce costs related to doctor visits, medications, and other healthcare expenses.
In summary, while natural supplements are often more expensive upfront, they support the body’s natural defense and detoxification systems, which can lead to better health, reduced reliance on synthetic supplements, and lower healthcare costs in the long term. By investing in natural health, you’re essentially giving your body the tools it needs to maintain balance and resilience on its own, potentially saving on the cumulative costs of ongoing synthetic supplementation or medical intervention.
Natural Health Now aims to provide an easy way to access a variety of different natural products in one easy to navigate online store and help to educate everyone on natural health benefits and how using them can completely change peoples lives for the better.
Join us, and start planting seeds for wellness! With every step, and every choice we can all build resilience, balance and strength that will improve quite literally every aspect of our lives!