Have you ever stopped and wondered where all the vitamins and minerals in your favorite cereals or multivitamins come from? Maybe it's never crossed your mind until now, but the much of the "vitamins" Americans consume aren't exactly what they think they are.

Not all vitamins are created equally... literally.

Some are created and derived from natural sources, while others are synthesized in laboratories. In this article, we'll explore synthetic vitamins—what they are, how they are made, and why they may not be optimal for your overall health.

What Are Synthetic Vitamins?

Synthetic vitamins are man-made versions of the vitamins that occur naturally in foods. If you're asking yourself why man needed to make synthetic versions of vitamins we can find in nature, you're on to something.

Unlike natural vitamins, which are extracted directly from plants, animals, or minerals, synthetic vitamins are produced through chemical processes. They are designed to be chemically identical to their natural counterparts, though the method of production can vary.

However, as you'll see, these compounds are ultra-processed. Let's take a look at some of the commonly used practices used to make these "vitamins".

How Are Synthetic Vitamins Made?

There are a couple of primary methods for producing synthetic vitamins:

Chemical Synthesis

This involves creating vitamins through a series of chemical reactions. For example, synthetic vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is often produced from glucose in a multi-step chemical process.

However, the products of these processes aren't exactly the kind of stuff you'd like to be consuming. For example, did you know, one of the most commonly used types of vitamin B12 is cyanocobalamin, which is found in nearly all the most popular sports drinks, nutrition supplement, and multivitamin on the market.

Well, did you also know that cyanocobalamin can be derived from human waste and there are some claims floating around that is in fact where these companies get the compound?

While that claim is disputed and unsubstantiated, do you really put it paste the corporations that have been poisoning you and your family for decades to source their cyanocobalamin from a waste treatment plant if were more "cost effective"?

In case that was deterrent enough, cyanocobalamin also contains trace amounts of cyanide, aka actual poison. How fun... Fear not though, poisoning yourself is completely OK, according to the dunces at McGill.

Personally, we'd rather not trust them...

In case, you're curious, here's the somewhat vague and ambiguous description of this process we found on the internet, enjoy:

Steps in the Chemical Synthesis of Cyanocobalamin

1. Fermentation to Produce Vitamin B12 Precursors:

   • Microbial Fermentation: The initial steps involve the fermentation of certain bacteria, such as Pseudomonas denitrificans or Propionibacterium shermanii, which naturally produce vitamin B12. This biological method is preferred because of the complexity of the molecule.
   • Harvesting: The bacteria are cultivated in large fermentation tanks, and the vitamin B12 produced is harvested from the bacterial cells.

2. Isolation and Purification of Hydroxocobalamin:

   • Extraction: The crude vitamin B12 is extracted from the bacterial biomass using techniques like centrifugation and solvent extraction.
   • Purification: The extracted compound is purified through various chromatographic techniques to isolate hydroxocobalamin, a natural form of vitamin B12.

3. Conversion to Cyanocobalamin:

   • Chemical Transformation: Hydroxocobalamin is converted to cyanocobalamin by adding cyanide ions (usually in the form of potassium cyanide) under controlled conditions.
   • Reaction: The hydroxyl group in hydroxocobalamin is replaced by a cyanide group, forming cyanocobalamin. This step is critical and must be carefully monitored to ensure the correct product formation.
   • Conditions: The reaction typically occurs in an aqueous solution, and the pH and temperature are controlled to optimize the conversion efficiency.

4. Final Purification and Crystallization:

   • Purification: The cyanocobalamin is further purified to remove any impurities or by-products using additional chromatographic steps.
   • Crystallization: The purified cyanocobalamin is crystallized from the solution to obtain it in a stable, solid form suitable for use in supplements.
   • Drying: The crystallized product is dried and milled to the desired particle size for formulation.

Common Types of Synthetic Vitamins

If you're going to embark on living a life that's devoid of toxins and artificially made anything, then you need to know what to look for when you are reading the ingredients label on your favorite grocery store item.

Get a pen and paper cause you are going want to remember the code names the food industry uses in order to confuse. Here are some examples of synthetic vitamins commonly found in supplements:

• Vitamin A (Retinol): Often synthesized from beta-carotene or other compounds
• Vitamin B Complex: Includes B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6 (pyridoxine), B12 (cyanocobalamin), and others, typically produced through fermentation or chemical synthesis
• Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid): Usually synthesized from glucose
• Vitamin D: Produced by irradiating plant sterols or lanolin
• Vitamin E (Tocopherol): Can be synthesized chemically or extracted from vegetable oils
• Vitamin K: Synthesized as K1 (phylloquinone) or K2 (menaquinone)

Advantages of Synthetic Vitamins

Now, we need to be able to be honest about the potential upsides to synthetically-made vitamins. Below is a short list of the advantages of producing vitamins in a lab.

Consistency: Synthetic vitamins provide a reliable and consistent source of nutrients, which is particularly important in supplement manufacturing. However, the consistency is shadowed by the bio-availability of the nutrient due to the body's inability to break this form of the vitamin down as easily, thus affecting your bodies ability to use this "vitamin" source.

Cost-Effectiveness: They are generally cheaper to produce than extracting vitamins from natural sources, making them more affordable for consumers. What this really means is the corporation that is selling you these fake vitamins are going to save money on the back end and not pass a dime of that savings on to you. Poisoning you and taking your money at the same time.

Are you getting essential vitamins? Yes, however, WHERE you're getting them from actually matters and it is in fact, not to be taken so likely.

Potential Drawbacks

Let's take a look at a few of the drawbacks you should not be ignoring when you spend your hard earned money on these supplements and vitamins.

Bioavailability: As mentioned above, some studies suggest that synthetic vitamins may not be absorbed or utilized by the body as effectively as natural vitamins. If we are talking about efficiency alone, natural is the way to go.

Additives and Fillers: Many synthetic vitamins contain additional substances that might not be beneficial and could potentially cause adverse reactions. What are they? Who knows... they most likely won't be very forth coming with these ingredients. Ask yourself... Why are these in there?

Health Effects: There is ongoing debate about whether synthetic vitamins provide the same health benefits as those derived from whole foods. We believe it is much more cut and dry than that. Natural is the way to go.

Some research indicates that natural vitamins, found in the context of whole foods, may have synergistic effects that are not replicated by synthetic versions.

Should You Consume Them?

Synthetic vitamins are an important part of the modern approach to nutrition and health. They offer a consistent, cost-effective, and accessible way to ensure adequate vitamin intake. However, it's essential to balance synthetic supplements with a diet rich in natural, whole foods to achieve optimal health.

As with any supplement, it's always best to consult with a healthcare provider to determine what's right for your individual needs, but if you ask us, eating whole foods and getting your vitamins and nutrients from them is the best way to go. It's nutrition the way nature intended.

What Are Natural Vitamins?

Natural vitamins are nutrients extracted directly from whole food sources such as fruits, vegetables, grains, and animal products.

These vitamins are accompanied by a complex array of co-factors, including enzymes, minerals, and phytonutrients, which work synergistically to enhance their absorption and effectiveness in the body.

Bioavailability: Nature’s Efficiency

One of the primary reasons natural vitamins are superior is their bioavailability. Bioavailability refers to the degree and rate at which a nutrient is absorbed and utilized by the body. Natural vitamins often come with co-factors that aid in their absorption and utilization, making them more effective.

For instance, vitamin C from an orange is not just ascorbic acid; it includes a complex of bioflavonoids, enzymes, and other components that enhance its absorption and efficacy. In contrast, synthetic vitamin C (ascorbic acid) lacks these natural co-factors, potentially reducing its effectiveness.

The Synergy of Whole Foods

Whole foods provide vitamins in a context that our bodies have evolved to recognize and utilize. This synergy can be lost with synthetic vitamins. For example, vitamin E naturally occurs in eight different forms (tocopherols and tocotrienols), but synthetic vitamin E supplements usually contain only one form (alpha-tocopherol).

This limited form may not provide the full range of benefits that the complete vitamin E complex offers in whole foods.

Reduced Risk of Overdosing

Natural vitamins are less likely to cause toxicity or adverse effects. Synthetic vitamins, especially in high doses, can sometimes lead to imbalances or toxicities.

For example, excessive intake of synthetic vitamin A (retinol) can lead to toxicity, while natural vitamin A from food sources is less likely to cause harm because it comes with other nutrients that regulate its absorption and storage.

Holistic Health Benefits

Natural vitamins contribute to overall well-being beyond just providing isolated nutrients. Whole foods contain a plethora of other beneficial compounds such as antioxidants, fiber, and phytochemicals, which work together to promote health.

These additional nutrients can help protect against chronic diseases, boost the immune system, improve hormone health and support digestion, benefits that synthetic vitamins alone cannot offer.

Fewer Additives and Fillers

Natural vitamins, derived from whole foods, are free from the artificial additives, fillers, and preservatives often found in synthetic vitamin supplements. These additional substances in synthetic vitamins can sometimes cause adverse reactions or reduce the absorption of the actual vitamin.

The Research Backing Natural Vitamins

Several studies have highlighted the benefits of natural vitamins over synthetic ones. Research suggests that the health benefits linked to diets rich in fruits and vegetables are not solely due to their vitamin content but also the synergistic effects of the entire nutrient complex found in these foods.

For example, a diet high in fruits and vegetables has been consistently linked to a reduced risk of chronic diseases, which cannot be replicated by synthetic vitamins alone.

Making the Right Choice—Why Natural Vitamins Are Better for Your Health

While synthetic vitamins can be beneficial, especially in cases of severe deficiency, they should not be the first line of defense.

Prioritizing a diet rich in whole foods ensures that you receive a broad spectrum of nutrients in their most effective and bioavailable forms. If supplements are necessary, opt for those derived from whole food sources to maximize their benefits.

In the quest for optimal health, many people turn to vitamin supplements to fill nutritional gaps.

Natural vitamins offer a host of advantages over synthetic ones, including better bioavailability, synergistic benefits, reduced risk of toxicity, and the presence of additional health-promoting compounds. To support optimal health, focus on a nutrient-dense diet rich in whole foods. When supplements are needed, choose natural, whole food-Based options to ensure you're getting the most out of your vitamins.

By prioritizing natural vitamins, you’re not just taking a supplement—you’re embracing a holistic approach to health that acknowledges the wisdom of nature and the complexity of human nutrition.