Are Food Supplements Natural? A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding the Difference

Do you take dietary supplements? If so, you may be wondering if they are natural or synthetic. Most of the nutrients found in dietary supplements are produced by chemical processes to mimic the natural nutrients found in food. However, not all of the nutrients in dietary supplements are natural or synthetic. Choosing the best source of a nutrient depends on the nutrient itself.

More than half of Americans take one or more dietary supplements daily or from time to time. Supplements are available without a prescription and usually come in pill, powder, or liquid form. Common supplements include vitamins, minerals, and herbal products, also known as botanicals. The way natural food supplements are manufactured may not be standardized, so their effectiveness or the side effects they cause may differ from brand to brand. Not all natural supplements are safe, just like conventional medications, natural dietary supplements can cause side effects, cause allergic reactions, or interact with other medications or supplements you're taking.

These include glucosamine (for joint pain) and herbal supplements such as echinacea (immune health) and flaxseed oil (digestion). If you already consume a wide variety of nutrients through your diet, taking additional supplements may exceed the recommended daily intake of many nutrients. One thing that experts generally agree on is that vitamin D supplements, when combined with calcium, can improve bone health in older people (50). The vitamin C found in oranges, lemons and other foods is also found in the form of ascorbic acid, combined with bioflavonoids, other nutrients, sugars and plant compounds. Previous research suggested that men who took vitamin E supplements may have a lower risk of developing prostate cancer. The manufacturer of your supplement should be able to tell you how the nutrients in their various products are derived.

If you were to get ascorbic acid from citrus fruits alone, it would be incredibly difficult to include enough fruit in a dietary supplement to provide adequate amounts.

What's the Difference Between Natural and Synthetic Supplements?

Synthetic supplements are generally produced in the laboratory using different physical or chemical processes, while natural supplements are obtained directly from nature. However, other strong studies report that dietary supplements, including B vitamins, don't improve brain function (47, 4).

Are Dietary Supplements Safe?

The FDA does not review the safety and effectiveness of dietary supplements before they are marketed. In general, taking supplements according to the amounts listed on the package is safe for most people. But overall, a healthy, balanced diet will provide you with excellent sources of nutrients, so that dietary supplements can attack the body's specific biochemical pathways to achieve optimal healing and balance in your life.