"Natural" Supplements

Even though you can typically get most of the vitamins and minerals that your body requires to function optimally from the food you eat, there are some occasions when this is not possible and you may need to take a supplement. 

How do you know if the supplement you are purchasing is a good one?

                                                                                            Click here ↓ to read more ↓
​Click below ↓ for previous post ↓

If it says “100% natural” on the label, beware.  There are no regulations for the word “natural”.  A manufacturer can claim their product is natural even if it’s a totally synthetic product.  It’s always best to protect yourself by reading the ingredient list.  Also, be sure to read both the active and inactive ingredients. 

Look for food sources on the label and notice if they are listed as organic. If you don’t see any food sources, then the product is generally a synthetic product. 

Avoid supplements that use words ending in -acid, -ide, and sometimes -ate. -

Also, the letters “d” or "dl" that appear before the name of an ingredient indicates the supplement is synthetic.

Common ingredients found in synthetic supplements that we should avoid:

• “Natural Flavors” (MSG or Monosodium Gluamate)
• Aminobenzoic Acid (PABA, which is Para-aminobenzoic Acid)
• Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)
• Calcium D-Pantothenate (Pantothenic Acid)
• Carnauba wax
• Choline Chloride, Choline Bitartrate
• Cobalamin (Vitamin B12)
• d-Biotin (Biotin)
• dl-alpha tocopherol, dl-alpha tocopherol acetate or succinate (Vitamin E)
• Gluconate
• Hydrochloride
• Irradiated Ergosteral, Calciferol (Vitamin D)
• Nitrates
• Palmitate (Vitamin A)
• Pteroylglutamic Acid (Folic Acid)
• Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6)
• Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
• Stearic Acid (Magnesium stearate)
• Thiamine Mononitrate and Thiamine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B1)
• Titanium dioxide

Even though I strongly recommend getting your nutrient needs from organic whole food plant-based sources, there are times when we need supplementation.  Please take responsibility for your health by determining if you have any deficiencies. 

What are your favorite food-based supplements?  Please leave your comments here.