Are plant based supplements better for your health?
Vitamin and mineral benefits are undeniable, which is why multivitamin health supplements are becoming more popular every day. Most people don't realise that the majority of supplements on the market today come from a chemical lab and are derived from dubious sources. This is where plant-based vitamins and minerals step in as a healthier alternative because they contain only the purest ingredients from plants.
What are plant-based vitamins, minerals, and supplements?
A nutritious, well-balanced diet typically provides sufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals. However, physiological situations and the effects of today’s modern lifestyle can restrict this intake, and vitamin deficiencies lead to a wide range of health conditions. It is therefore possible to take multivitamin health supplements to supplement our diet and offer us with the nutrients we require.
Vitamins are essential for our health and the normal functioning of our bodies, whether we obtain them from our regular diet, the sun, or store-bought products. However, many vitamins and mineral supplements are made synthetically with chemicals and do not originate directly from natural sources. On the other hand, natural vitamins are extracted from plant material that contains the vitamin, rather than being created in a test lab. This increases the effectiveness and benefits of plant-based supplements.
So, how are plant-based vitamins better than synthetic supplements? Synthetic vitamins and minerals contain chemical components that are not intended for human consumption. These include artificial sweeteners, synthetic fillers, preservatives, and other dangerous ingredients like monosodium glutamate (MSG) masked as natural flavours. Synthetic vitamins are also deficient in vital trace minerals, causing the body to rely on its own mineral stores, which can result in further mineral deficiencies.
The benefits of plant-based supplements lie in how they are manufactured. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, spices, bark, flowers, leaves, and other botanical elements are used to make plant-based supplements.
The specific source is determined by the vitamin or mineral required. The method usually begins with a plant that is naturally high in the required nutrient. The targeted ingredient is then extracted using a variety of ways to generate a plant-based supplement that can deliver the complete Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of a range of vitamins and minerals.
Why are plant-based vitamins and supplements considered better than synthetic?
Plants are all-natural products that come from the earth and are excellent for your health. Plant-based supplements are made up entirely of natural ingredients, making them not only a healthy addition to your diet but also better for the environment.
When comparing plant-based vitamins vs synthetic vitamins, their ingredient makeup and manufacturing process makes them a healthier choice overall. So, how are plant-based supplements better for you and what benefits do they provide?
Better Absorption
Plants include a wide range of vitamins, minerals, aromatic oils, and phytonutrients, all of which function together. When made synthetically, key elements are separated, and they lack the transporters and co-factors found in naturally occurring vitamins. Isolated vitamins are not recognised and utilised by the body in the same manner as natural vitamins. Moreover, the body is equipped to handle plant-based vitamins and they are absorbed better than synthetic supplements.
Low Toxicity Risk
Vitamins are beneficial, but there is such a thing as too much of everything. When taken in large doses, both plant-based and synthetic vitamins can cause toxicity; however, the risk from plants is substantially lower. A synthetic iron supplement, for example, carries a higher risk of toxicity than a natural plant-based iron supplement because they contain harmful chemicals.
Natural Taste and Smell
You know exactly what you're getting with plant-based supplements, which is one of its most appealing features. Fillers and colour dyes are used in many vitamins today to make them more pleasing to the eye and taste buds. Plant-based vitamins are 100% natural, containing only the finest plant-based components. Oils and other compounds in plants give the natural odours and flavours that are lacking in laboratory-made vitamins.
Healthy Long-term Use
Because they contribute to the balance of our bodies by their gentle activity and they don’t contain hazardous substances, plant-based vitamins can be taken on a long-term basis without having any adverse effect
How to find and identify natural plant-based supplements?
It’s important to do a little research on what you’re buying so you know what to look out for in quality plant-based supplements. Many manufacturers want you to feel you're getting a natural product. Unfortunately, vitamins can be branded as natural even if they only have a small percent of the natural form of the vitamin.
How to make sure you are buying the right plant-based supplements?
Look for reputable brands that pay attention to the methods and locations used to grow and process each plant-based ingredient. Make sure the plants are grown in a way that is environmentally friendly. The best sources are organic and are less likely to be polluted by industrial farming chemicals and pesticides.
Plants begin to decay as soon as they are picked. Their nutrients are vulnerable to heat, humidity, so trustworthy companies will go to great lengths to conserve the plant and ensure that these essential nutrients remain in the finished product. There should be proper drying, grinding, and concentrating methods in place to lock in these compounds.
While you can find natural plant-based vitamins at most dispensaries and retail outlets, health and wellness shops stock high-quality products. They also have in-store specialists with product knowledge who can provide the proper advice.
PURERAW products are made with 100% plant based ingredients. Our collection of products have been carefully curated by us, for you, from reputable brands, to prove that going natural or chemical free is not a compromise on efficiency or luxury. Our team of healthcare practitioners offer personalised, professional, friendly advice, and can help with any questions you have… Get in touch today!