Is it healthy to add synthetic nutrients to my diet?

We know that the diet that we tend to eat many times does not allow us to have an adequate intake of nutrients. For example, a recent study has shown that the number of people in the United States seeking synthetic nutrient supplements has increased in recent years. Currently, it is estimated that more than half of Americans use multivitamins as a way to respond to this lack of natural nutrients in their diet.

Some see this as an entirely natural fact: “If my money or my habits do not produce the necessary number of nutrients, they must come from somewhere, right?” In this way, in some cases, they come to replace a balanced diet with the benefits of capsules or medicinal potions.

Others, on the other hand, claim that this habit deteriorates our diet, and have even pointed out that synthetic nutrients are dangerous. But is that true?

In this guide we propose to make a comparison with scientific bases, and teach you to choose between natural and synthetic nutrients.

What are natural and synthetic nutrients?

Nutrients are those chemical compounds that our body needs to function, grow and stay stable. As we have already said, nutrients can be natural or synthetic. Basically, the difference between them seems in form and not in substance:

  • Natural nutrients: obtained from all the foods in our diet.
  • Synthetic nutrients: obtained from natural nutrients, isolating them through industrial processes of concentration or dehydration of compound foods.

Nutrientes naturales

On the other hand, natural and synthetic nutrients can be manufactured to be sold in the form of supplements. So that you can differentiate them when buying them, look at these aspects when you see the label of the container you buy:

  • Natural nutrients are obtained mainly from our balanced diet, and all humans consume them: fish, meat, rice, fruits, vegetables and dairy, are all general nutrients. If none of these are listed on the supplement label, they are highly synthetic nutrients.
  • Synthetic nutrients, on the other hand, are made up of isolated vitamin compounds: on their labels there will always be lists of vitamins or chemical compounds used in their preparation.

Are there differences between natural and synthetic nutrients?

We are often told that synthetic nutrients come from what we find in any food and that they have similar structures. This is partially true; However, it should not be overlooked that plants and animals do not manufacture their nutrients in the same way that synthetic nutrients are manufactured.

In the long run, our body ends up noticing the difference between one type of nutrient and another. For starters, when we nourish ourselves with food, we not only absorb nutrients, but also vitamins, minerals, and enzymes that help the body function holistically. When we take synthetic nutrients, we deprive ourselves of all this, and if there is not an overall balance in our diet, the body will end up suffering.

Another difference is the ability of our body to process chemical compounds . By way of illustration: some studies have shown that the body absorbs up to two times more vitamin E when ingested in food than in capsules. The same is true for other processed chemicals.

Beneficios en los nutrientes naturales

Benefits of natural nutrients

Studies have shown that natural nutrients bring more benefits when they come from our daily intake: not only to keep us functional, but also to prevent diabetes, heart disease and even cancer.

Some natural elements such as fruits and vegetables provide us with mixed benefits, such as fiber and minerals that are beneficial for the heart, sugar levels and preventing cancer. Others, such as fish oil, provide protein and omega-3s highly necessary for heart health and maintaining good antioxidant levels.

But are these the only nutrients we should be consuming?

Cuándo debo consumir nutrientes sintéticos

Should I consume synthetic nutrients?

The truth is that although it is more advisable to consume natural nutrients, synthetic nutrients also provide mixed benefits. To teach you, we explain when you should, and when you should not consume synthetic nutrients.

When to consume synthetic nutrients?

Synthetic nutrients may also be necessary in many cases, just as much as natural ones. Some of those cases are:

  • Old age: our body will not absorb the natural nutrients in the same way over the years. A little extra help is essential.
  • To complement vegetarian diets: due to the amount of vitamins present in animal products, these vegetarian diets need an extra supply of iron, calcium, zinc or vitamin D, among others.
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding : synthetic nutrients help mothers, especially in need of vitamin D and minerals.
  • People with nutritional deficiencies: There are people with nutritional deficiencies, such as anemia, who simply need some help to keep their bodies working properly.

Cuánto tomar nutrientes sintéticos

When not to consume synthetic nutrients?

In general, synthetic nutrients are safe for most people. However, some cases in which you should be careful are:

  • When these are not perfectly labeled: most consumer protection federations do not monitor these types of products. Thus, fraud can occur, such as when you come across a placebo product or substances that are dangerous to you and you do not know it.
  • When you are already getting enough nutrients: if you eat in a balanced way in your diet, an excessive consumption of nutrients can lead to organic poisoning , weakness or lack of appetite.
  • In pregnancy: nutrients such as vitamin A in excess, can have harmful effects on the fetus.

Also, some control studies have shown that exceeding the consumption of substances such as folic acid or zinc can lead to a progressive risk of cancer.

Conclution

It is best to evaluate our intake not empirically, but through medical controls. That it be a professional who recommends its consumption, based on our general diet. Remember that a well-balanced diet can certainly not be replaced, but it can be supplemented.

Reference

  • Brown, Mary Jane. Synthetic vs Natural Nutrients: Does it Matter ?. For Authority Nutrition. [Revised April 2016]