If you're unable to meet your nutritional needs through your diet alone, supplements can be a convenient and effective way to do so. That said, not all vitamin and mineral supplements are created equal.
In fact, some brands are pumped full of fillers, additives, and unhealthy ingredients that can do more harm than good when it comes to your health.
It's important to choose a reputable brand that has undergone extensive testing, ideally by a third-party lab and is sourced from high-quality ingredients. Doing so can ensure that you're getting a supplement that's pure and potent and that your body can use efficiently.
In this article, we'll cover what natural supplements are and why you may want to add these organic vitamins and supplements to your nutrition plan.
What are Organic Supplements?
Organic supplements are produced from whole food grown in natural climates, which include seeds, fruits, grains, nuts, legumes, and vegetables. The complex structure of the vitamins and nutrients available in these foods cannot healthily be replicated in a lab. This is why organic supplements differ from synthetic supplements, which change the natural structures of foods and destroy their nutritious effect on the body.
The term "organic" refers to the way agricultural products are grown and processed. Organic ingredients are grown without pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, or genetic engineering (GMOs). According to the Organic Trade Association, it is the most consumer-driven and most heavily regulated food system.
In the United States, organic products are regulated under the Organic Foods Production Act and overseen by the National Organic Standards Board. Any farmer or company that sells organic products in the U.S. must follow strict guidelines to protect natural resources. Farmers must grow vegetables or herbs in soil that has been free of all prohibited pesticides for three years or more. Organic standards also forbid the use of artificial food colors, flavors, and chemical preservatives.
Are Organic Vitamins Better?
The best way to get your vitamins and minerals is through a healthy diet that consists of a rainbow of vegetables, fruits, seeds, and nuts. But at times, you may need an extra boost in nutrients. Supplements can fill the gaps.
Organic nutritional supplements are superior in several ways.
Free of artificial fillers and excipients
No toxic chemicals
More readily absorbed by the body
Higher levels of antioxidants and other nutrients
Potent nutrient concentrations due to freeze-drying and raw extraction
Organic dietary supplements come from ingredients that are certified organic. As mentioned, organic products must be free from toxic chemicals and fillers. That purity makes organic supplements better for your body — and the environment.
"Fillers" and excipients include compounds like corn maltodextrin, silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, and titanium dioxide. These ingredients typically don't occur in nature and can be harmful to your health.
The vitamins and nutrients in many supplements are synthetic. That means they're manufactured in a lab to have a similar molecular structure to the natural nutrients they are trying to replicate. However, it's more optimal to extract nutrients, vitamins, and minerals from whole foods, herbs, fungi, and other natural substances.
In some cases, synthetics may not be easily absorbed or used by the body at all. A case in point is calcium carbonate, which is like chalk. Physicians have found undigested calcium carbonate pills in the gut months later!
In contrast, certified organic dietary supplements are typically made with simple, natural processes. Freeze-drying herbs for capsules or extracting them in a liquid retains the full spectrum of nutrients available in the whole plant. The body more readily absorbs nutrients from organic supplements.
Benefits of Organic Supplements
Below are the main benefits of choosing organic nutritional supplements.
They Contain More Nutrients
Many studies have found that organic crops — from apples, blueberries, and carrots to zucchini — have substantially higher concentrations of antioxidants and other nutrients than non-organic ones. And organic supplements usually come from these organic foods.
They're Free of Toxins & Chemicals
When you take a certified organic dietary supplement, you know that you are using a product that has not been exposed to hundreds of toxic chemicals. Many pesticides and herbicides are carcinogenic or cause endocrine disruption. Choosing organic means making a conscious effort to keep these harmful toxins and chemicals out of your body.
Researchers suggest that pesticide exposure can increase the risk of developing various neurodegenerative diseases by triggering oxidative stress and inflammation. Some studies have specifically linked organochlorine pesticides to breast cancer in post-menopausal women.
There are still conflicting opinions regarding the exact relationship between pesticide exposure and disease development. In any case, reducing your exposure – and consumption – to pesticides is never a bad idea. And if it can potentially benefit your health and the health of your loved ones, there's no harm in making the switch to organic supplements. The NOP prohibits the use of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, so you know your supplements are free of potentially harmful toxins.
You'll Experience Better Taste & Nutrient Absorption
Your taste buds will tell you — organic food tastes great! Healthy soils produce nutritious plants that become nourishing food (and sometimes wholesome supplements). When you consume a supplement derived from the whole plant, you're consuming a range of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that the body uses.
The body more easily absorbs nutrients from organic products. For instance, your body absorbs natural vitamin E twice as efficiently as the synthetic form. In another case, one-quarter of the amount of natural vitamin K is as effective as the synthetic version.
Organic supplements not only offer cleaner nutrients but they supply more of them. Organic fruits and vegetables have a higher antioxidant content than their conventional counterparts. This is in part because plants that have to fight off insects and disease (wit
hout help from
chemical pesticides) will naturally develop antioxidants for protection.
You Help Conserve Wildlife
Organic farmers work in harmony with nature, promoting sustainability and building healthy ecosystems. Organic farms have 30 percent more animal and bird species on average than non-organic ones. These animals live on farmland and assist in natural pest control — a win-win situation!
You Help Preserve the Environment
Astonishingly, it takes more energy to produce synthetic fossil-fuel-based fertilizers than to cultivate, harvest, and transport crops — combined! Organic farming uses half the energy of conventional methods.
Organic farmers use environmentally-friendly farming methods that not only conserve water but also help keep pesticides out of our clean water supplies. In other words, buying organic reduces your footprint on the earth.
They are More Transparent With Their Ingredients
If transparency is important to you, organic supplements should be on your radar. While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does regulate dietary supplements for safety and efficacy, organic certification promises very specific standards that may put your mind at ease. These standards can be broken down by the type of ingredient used to formulate your supplement.
Organic supplements made with whole foods:
Organic fruits and vegetables must be grown in soil that has not been exposed to the NOP's prohibited substances for at least three years prior to harvest. Blacklisted substances include pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, and other toxic chemicals. Produce must also be grown without the use of sewage sludge, irradiation, and genetic engineering. That means no genetically modified organisms (GMOs)!
Organic supplements with animal-derived ingredients:
The USDA requires that organic meat be made from animals raised in an environment that accommodates the animals' natural behavior. For example, organic cows must be allowed to graze on a pasture. Farmers must provide these animals with 100% organic feed and are never allowed to administer antibiotics or hormones.
Organic supplements made with processed/multi-ingredient foods:
This refers to foods and ingredients that have been packaged, combined, or processed. This might include the organic sunflower lecithin or palm oil used to hold the supplement formula together. Regulations prohibit these foods from containing artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors.
Implementing Organic Natural Supplementation
Many people think of supplements as a miracle cure, making them super healthy in st a few months. No, these products aren't a magic pill or a cure-all. Hoping for miracles out of these goods is probably unrealistic. However, it's why you may want to consider implementing them in your nutrition and adding them to your supplement stack.
Bulk of Nutrients
You can expect organic supplements to contain a wide variety of fibers, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, herbal extracts, and antioxidants. Each of these nutrients can offer unique benefits to your body. They play essential roles in your health and disease prevention and treatment.
The benefits of each nutrient can vary depending on the product you use. For each of you, there is an optimal intake of nutrients in terms of quantity and type. It will depend on many factors, such as health, physical condition, gender, age, etc. That is why you should consult a nutritionist and a doctor before you buy a quality organic supplement.
You can expect organic supplements to contain a wide variety of fibers, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, herbal extracts, and antioxidants. Each of these nutrients can offer unique benefits to your body. They play essential roles in your health and disease prevention and treatment.
The benefits of each nutrient can vary depending on the product you use. For each of you, there is an optimal intake of nutrients in terms of quantity and type. It will depend on many factors, such as health, physical condition, gender, age, etc. That is why you should consult a nutritionist and a doctor before you buy a quality organic supplement.
Faster Action
The non-organic supplements contain a variety of synthetic chemicals that slow the rate of absorption. These ingredients may cause unwanted side effects, such as nausea, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. Additives and fillers can rob the minerals and other nutrients of their ability to benefit the body.
When these chemicals are used in supplemental doses, the body is only getting a portion of the nutrient value. The nutrients from natural sources are lost. On the other hand, using an organic supplement allows you to receive the full spectrum of nutritional value – including the valuable antioxidants and other beneficial elements.
No Chemicals
One of the main benefits of organic supplements is that you don't expose yourself to harmful chemicals and synthetic matters. These products are made from ingredients grown without pesticides or other chemicals. It allows a much higher absorption rate of vitamins and other nutrients.
Raw materials are grown without using dangerous additives like pesticides and herbicides. Farmers who grow foods using sustainable agricultural methods made that possible. They understood the dangers of the long-term use of pesticides and other hazardous substances.
Still, many people continue to buy synthetic supplements without thinking of the consequences. They're fooled with fake ads and affordable prices. Use only certified organic products.
It's always better to choose products made with high-quality ingredients, even though they might be costlier. But you can be sure these are healthier and more effective compared to any artificial supplement. These will reduce the exposure to harmful matters while increasing your nutrient intake.
How to Get Help With Organic Supplementation
While most of us try to get the nutrients we need from food; our bodies sometimes need the support of dietary supplements. Nutritional supplements come in the form of capsules, tablets, powder, and liquid extracts — or even teas. Supplements can provide your body with the essential vitamins and minerals you need and can be an important part of a healthy, balanced diet. But not all supplements are created equal.
With so many choices lining the shelves, it's essential to know what to look for in a supplement. When you choose organic, you get the nutritional benefits from whole foods used to produce the supplement, with no chemical compounds. Organic supplements are free of pesticides, insecticides, and other harmful toxins.
Organic supplements provide the nutrients your body needs while knowing you're consuming something good for your body — and the environment.
If you're looking for personalized, we offer expert nutritional counseling. Our certified nutritionists offer to develop a customized plan to help you achieve better health and feel your absolute best. Schedule an appointment with a nutritionist today!