Natural vs Synthetic

Is there a difference between natural-sourced preparations and those produced from artificial components? The answer varies from "yes", "no", or "sometimes" depending on whom you ask. Perhaps this discussion will help you better understand the difference between the two.

The underlying principle for consumers who believe that natural-sourced nutrients are no different or better than laboratory-synthesized nutrients is that, atom for atom, natural and synthetic sources of isolated nutrients are identical. It is true that in some cases when you isolate specific nutrients the natural-source does have the same chemical structure as the artificially produced laboratory-synthesized nutrient and for specific deficiency symptoms effectively ease symptoms in the short-term, but not the long-term.

Nutrients that are present in a natural-source never exist in an isolated form. There are certain factors such as vitamins, enzymes, co-enzymes, minerals, and other identified and unidentified co-nutrients likely to be present in a vast range of ratios and balance. It is therefore clear that Mother Nature has a plan that offers us a blueprint for complete nutrition. All these natural factors take place together naturally in foods to assist the body in utilizing and receiving maximum benefit from all the nutrition and not just a single nutrient. Natural-sources, which contain known and unknown nutrient factors, are likely to be better recognized and made use of by the body. The body thrives on completeness and balance in nutrition and choosing quality natural preparations that provide this completeness that nature has so wisely formulated can make the difference in maintaining quality of health or poor health.

Research scientists are continually unlocking Mother Nature's nutritional secrets as knowledge of this complexity of natural substances advances. One example of this has been explained in this manner. Consider seawater; chemists can chemically duplicate seawater in a laboratory. Analysis shows that it does indeed match the chemical analysis of the natural seawater. However, if you put fish in the seawater, many will die. Yet, if you add even a small amount of natural seawater to the synthetic the fish will live. They're health may not be of the best quality, but obviously a life-supporting difference prevails when natural is added to the synthetic. Even though laboratory analysis showed the seawater to be chemically identical there most certain is missing elements in the synthetic that is needed to sustain life. If you were a fish, which would you choose, synthetic, synthetic with natural added or totally natural?

Another good example is human hormones. Chemists can synthetically duplicate hormones in a laboratory. However, when introduced into the body the body's natural flow of hormones is changed and many women and men will experience an array of negative side effects. Chemists can also, duplicate what is called a natural hormone that analysis shows indeed match the chemical analysis of the body's true natural hormone. By adding various amounts of a natural substance to the synthetic substance many of the negative side effects of are decreased or eliminated. However, this addition of a natural-source doesn't change the fact that the hormone is still synthetic, it just has fewer side effects. Undoubtedly, a difference is seen by the addition of a natural substance, but the body is still being deprived of other critical hormones it needs to function in good health as the synthetic materials are foreign to the body and changes the body's natural flow of hormones. Now, if we took this same natural source, remove the synthetic substances and replace them with all of the known and unknown nutrients that are a part of the natural-source, what do you suppose would happen when this was introduce into the body? It's quite obvious, a superior life-supporting difference between synthetic and natural synthetic as the body is now receiving all the nutrients that are present in the natural-source and the body knows how to use these natural nutrients to create it's own hormonal chemistry safely and naturally and it also knows how to excrete them from the body when they are no longer needed.

It is important to understand that when you rely on a synthetic preparation you receive only those nutrients the formulator chooses to include. By relying on formulations based on natural-sources you have assurance of receiving complete nutrition support and complete nutritional value! As shown in the above examples, one of the most compelling reasons for choosing a natural-sourced preparation is the presence of certain trace minerals. Research is continually providing new insights into the critical role these tiny substances play in our health.

Just because something states it is natural it doesn't mean that it is the best possible source for your wellness. For proper nourishment the body must receive the proper balance of nutrients and on a consistent basis. Remember, a synthetic preparation supplies only the isolated nutrients the formulator chooses to include. This in no way compares with the bountiful storehouse of nutrients and factors offered by nature. If you want to be confident that you are feeding and nourishing your body completely with the nutrition it needs to function in good health, then you should rely only on natural/organic substances for your health.