Synthetic versus natural ingredients: What is the difference and why does it matter?

As the popularity of natural ingredients grows, more folks are seeking natural alternatives as opposed to synthetic ingredients for their supplemental nutrition needs. The growing wellness and holistic industry offers a variety of choices when it comes to supplements. With so many options, it can be difficult to know where to start and which type of ingredients. Determining whether a synthetic ingredient or a natural ingredient is your best choice isn’t always cut and dry. There is more to your nutrition, and your body, than meets the eye.

Synthetic nutrients

Dietary supplements are used to help ensure adequate dietary intake of the important vitamins and minerals your body needs. These can be helpful and necessary for those who aren’t able to meet their nutritional needs through diet alone. According to the National Library of Medicine, over 70 percent of Americans take some form of a dietary supplement each day. 

Synthetic nutrients are common in dietary supplements and fortified foods. These nutrients are produced in an industrial process or laboratory setting. They are made to mimic the way natural nutrients react in your body and are almost chemically identical to those found in food. Common synthetic nutrients used to fortify food products are calcium, copper, folic acid, iron, and vitamin A. The majority of supplements available on the market are made artificially, including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants.

Some synthetic nutrients are absorbed more easily by your body than natural ingredients. The benefits of synthetic ingredients include bioavailability, potency, efficiency, and purity. They are readily available for use by your body, contain high amounts of a single nutrient, are more efficient to produce in a laboratory, and most suppliers test for the purity of the raw materials they use.

Because of their potency and efficiency, synthetically sourced supplements tend to contain nutrients in much higher doses than whole foods. While this can be beneficial for certain people who need to correct or prevent deficiency, excessive nutrient intake can have detrimental effects.

Natural nutrients

Naturally sourced ingredients are readily found in nature and come in complex forms. They are sourced from a plant, mineral, or animal. Natural whole foods have a wide range of health benefits. Studies show that higher fruit and vegetable intake is linked to a lower risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, and cancer. Increased fruit intake is also linked to lower blood pressure, reduced oxidative stress, and improved blood sugar levels. When you eat real food, you consume a whole range of vitamins, enzymes, and minerals that allow for optimal metabolic use. 

Research shows that synthetic nutrients are not as efficient as a healthy, balanced diet. Despite having similar molecular structures, synthetic nutrients cannot be used as efficiently by your body and oftentimes get flushed out of the body through urine. Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the body, which can lead to high accumulation levels for some people.

Tap into total wellness with whole food sources

Performing at your best physically and mentally is easier than you think. The ASEA® Cell Performance category is designed to complement and support a healthy lifestyle. Based on redox principles, these products are easy to use on the go and deliver a healthy sustained boost. They are 100% vegan and do not contain any artificial colors or artificial sweeteners. They contain zero of the top eight most common allergens identified by the FDA. They are also dairy-free, gluten-free, and soy-free.*

Ingredients like GABA come from fermented foods, including kimchi, miso, and tempeh.  L-Tyrosine comes from chicken, turkey, fish, peanuts, almonds, avocados, bananas, milk, cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese, lima beans, pumpkin seeds, and sesame seeds. L-theanine comes from mushrooms. Cell Performance also contains all-natural ingredients like saffron, B vitamins, ashwagandha, zinc, Red Orange Complex, guarana, acai berry, and ginseng.

Supporting your cells is the first step in achieving natural redox homeostasis and tapping into your power. ASEA has developed redox technology to target the sources of your fatigue and give you a sustained cellular performance so you can feel your best and live your best life.*

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This material is intended for a US audience only.