What is a Whole Food Multivitamin Versus a Synthetic Multivitamin?

Taking a daily multivitamin is a great way to complement a healthy diet and make sure that your body is getting exactly what it needs to function at its best. And, with soil depletion becoming such a widespread issue, even the healthiest of diets may be void of some super important vitamins and minerals.

However, with that being said, not all multivitamins are created equal. We’re sharing what you need to know about the difference between whole food multivitamins and synthetic varieties, and which option is best.

First, let’s take a closer look at these two multivitamin options.

What is a Whole Foods Multivitamin?

Whole food multivitamins are made from concentrated and dehydrated whole food sources such as fruits and vegetables.

What is a Synthetic Multivitamin?

Synthetic multivitamins are produced in a lab to mimic certain nutrients and do not contain whole foods.

Whole Food Multi vs. Synthetic: Which is Best?

When comparing whole food options vs. synthetic, there’s really no comparison. Whole food choices are not only going to give you the best bang for your buck, but they are made from the real thing as opposed to being artificially produced — the result? A supplement your body can actually recognize.

Research has backed the idea that whole food multis are better absorbed by the body. In fact, studies have shown that certain nutrients, like vitamin E, is absorbed much more efficiently than the synthetic version.

And, not only may synthetic vitamins not be as absorbable, but they often contain large amounts of artificially produced vitamins and minerals that the body cannot recognize. The excess can get stored in the body and potentially cause harm, especially when looking at fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, K.

Many synthetically made vitamins also contain artificial colors and fillers as well as titanium dioxide, which is a colorant that’s been linked to very serious health issues like intestinal and lung inflammation as well as kidney damage.

The Top 3 Benefits of Whole Food Multivitamins

With all this being said, it’s clear that whole food multis are a much smarter, healthier, and better bang for your buck choice.

Here are three additional benefits of choosing a whole foods multivitamin over a synthetic option.

Benefit 1
Benefit 2
Benefit 3

#1 Quality is King

While whole food multis may cost more than the synthetic varieties, quality is king when it comes to what you are putting into your body. With vitamins that are sourced from foods, you can be sure that these concentrated whole food ingredients are higher-quality than artificial versions that are man-made.

#2 Nutritional Variety

Whole food multivitamins also provide nutritional variety. Think about it — when you consume dark leafy greens or colorful fruits and veggies, you aren’t just getting one single vitamin or mineral. You are getting a variety, providing your body with exactly what it needs to function at its best.

The same goes for whole food multivitamins. The use of food sources helps add variety to the supplement, including plant phytonutrients and antioxidants to help fight off free radicals and inflammation.

Simply put, you wouldn’t find these benefits in a synthetic vitamin.

#3 Avoid Exposure to Harmful Ingredients

While, of course, not all brands have the exact same manufacturing standards, whole food multivitamins tend to be free from the harmful chemicals commonly found in synthetic varieties that are produced in the lab.

We already talked about titanium dioxide (the harmful colorant found in many synthetic vitamins,) but there are other additives that numerous synthetic supplements contain. These include things like hydrogenated inflammatory oils, like soybean, and even lead, and mercury.

The sad reality is that while we think we are doing something good for our body while taking a multivitamin, synthetic varieties that include these harmful additives can be dangerous.

With a high-quality whole foods multi that’s made by a company that stands behind the quality of their products, you can avoid exposing yourself to these things, and that’s gold.

Why a Daily Multivitamin is Important

As you now know, whole food multis are a much better choice than the artificially produced synthetic versions, but why is taking a daily multi important anyway?

A high-quality multivitamin is a great complement to a healthy diet to help fill the gaps in any nutrients you may not be getting enough of. Plus, there’s no denying the fact that the nutritional value of even the most nutrient-dense foods is declining. An analysis from the Department of Agriculture has noted a decline in various nutrients such as protein, vitamin C, calcium, phosphorus, and B2 from the years 1950-1999. The University of Texas at Austin’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry examined this data and linked this nutritional decline to agricultural practices such as practices to reduce pests, as well as practices that are used to boost the growth rate and the size of crops.

What this shows us is that even if we’re consuming a whole foods diet that’s full of colorful fruits and vegetables, we may be lacking certain vital nutrients. This is where a whole foods multivitamin comes in.

The Takeaway

Multivitamins play an important role in supporting our overall health, and if you are going to invest money in a product, you’re going to want to choose something that is actually going to work.

When faced with a choice between a product that’s sourced from whole foods, and one that’s synthetically made, put your money in the product that’s made from the real deal. Not only will your body be able to recognize the ingredients, but your body will be able to utilize these important nutrients. It’s a win, win.

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Whole Food Versus Synthetic Multivitamins