Natural vs. Synthetic Vitamins

Anti-science mentality is prevalent in modern society. This is evidenced most clearly in a complete distrust of chemicals synthesized in a laboratory. But does the activity of a molecule depend whatsoever on the pathway from which it formed? Let's see why not.

Check out "Is This Wi-Fi Organic?", my book on disarming pseudoscience!

[mergyckaxxxxx]

The molecule is the same, but the bioavailability is different. It would act the same if everything were in vitro, but sadly, we all are biological systems that have complex absorbance methods and regulation. Our bodies do not recognize isolated molecules the same as they would a natural one. The plant is actually a perfect design of readily absorbable nutrients.

[TELEVISIONARCHIVES]

In fact the chemical structure of a synthesized compound is exactly the same as the natural compound it is supposed to supplement. Also all vitamins, whether they are delivered via a supplement or fortified in food–synthetic or natural– are made in a lab. Natural vitamins, meanwhile are sourced from plants, fruits, animals, and minerals, and then refined and processed in a lab. To be worthy of the label “natural” a vitamin supplement need contain only 10% plant or fruit derived ingredients. The other 90% could very well be synthetic.

[nellyb.]

Thank you professor Dave for explaining.
I’m living proof here as someone who use to undermine synthetic supplements.
So I’ve been suffering from anxiety & depression for a long time and refused to take Dr meditations precisely because I didn’t want stuff that could mess up with my brain so about 2 weeks ago I bought a Vit B complex with extra B6- 100 mg from a good brand, no fillers etc.
I feel much better and have more energy, I feel good since starting taking it and I’ve also done my research on B6 toxicity and 100mg is not causing me any issues I’m very pleased with my B6 and grateful to science that I can have 100mg if B6 in a small capsule and make me feel much better. I live a healthy lifestyle so I can conclude that it’s the 100 mg that have made the difference.
How many broccolis would I need to eat in a day to get 100 mg of B6

[kayo]

That makes perfect sense. Some “experts” say synthetic vitamin c is ineffective or even worse a poison ( and they often sell their own expensive whole food supplements ) but vitamin c doctors use to treat their patients is always synthetic one because it’s more reliable in terms of quantity and quality. They wouldn’t if synthetic vitamin c was ineffective or a poison. Linus Pauling used synthetic one too and lived up to 93 when the average life expectancy of Americans was 70 something.

[udoyshahriar]

I'm in love with your teaching style. would be great if you could make some videos on astronomy.

[moonjimunji]

i use to believe in vitamin tablets but my life experience says food has far far more easily absorbed nutrients

[yasyasmarangoz]

It hurts me how a lot of people don't even seem to understand the video nor the definition of identical.
And yet Prof. Dave tries to explain it to them like a teacher, what a hero!

[abhishekbehera]

Professor, the natural food contains phytonutrients along with the any vitamins and minerals. So, real food is always better than the synthetic ones.

[danielhoward]

I would rather eat an orange and get all the benefits from it vs taking a vitamin C pill.

[thegoodlydragon]

Team up with a broadcasting company to make a 21st century version of Sagan's Cosmos. I'll bet it'll be better than Neil DeGrasse Tyson's, because his version felt dumbed down and like he was talking to the audience as children, whereas Sagan's from the 80s (and probably yours if you made one) clarified things concisely in an understandable way but definitely was meant for a more engaged audience.

[luckyyuri]

yeah but doesn't eliminate the threat of excipients and toxic compounds used in the making process and not properly filtered out

[Soeales]

I like your approach but I don't get your whole message. I have read the scientific article about bioavailbiltiy of synthetic and natural vitamin C. It recommends getting your dose of vitamin C from whole food rather than synthetic due to other nutrients in the food increasing bioavailbiltiy.

Furthermore, there is little scientific evidence synthetic supplements or any form of multivatimins will benefit your health nor can it be used as an effective subsitutue.

So when you say people should ignore "organic" or "whole food" vitamins, it doesn't correlate with the science since whole food derived vitamins are more bioavailable than synthetic supplements.


I think it would be better if you just told people to ignore supplements altogether. But you're doing the opposite. You are trying to claim synthetic vitamins has the same effect as whole food vitamins with a simple video when the evidence is unsubstantiatal and quite contrary to your claim.

[shashanksharma]

Name some best multivitamin and multiminerals

[daliadeak]

But what about the fact that vitamin C is easily oxidized? Does this affect its bioavailability if it were a supplement as opposed to taken from natural sources?

[twilightlove]

Problems arise for example when taking high amounts of Vitamin C (>500 mg), it acts as an antagonist against e.g. Vit B12. Because the concentration is so high and it is not surrounded by fiber and macronutrients to slow digest (as in a whole fruit or vegetable), it comes into contact too fast with B12 in food eaten at the same time. Vit C then reduces B12 to an unusable form.

[jacqslabz]

I'm read about some research showing the sometimes supplements don't actually contain what the label claims, so I buy ones certified via 3rd party testing to ensure I'm getting what I want. Though I also try to eat unprocessed foods, so most of the time I don't both with taking vitamins, and just eat a variety of veggies. Not because I'm avoiding taking vitamins, rather because I'm avoiding junk food, like chips & candy.

[optimalonlinecoach]

Great videos normally but this one really didn't float my boat. I agree with the worry that some people offer products and that might be the motivation to sell 'natural' over synthetic but I am not convinced by your evidence (not being snarky or negative, just want to get to the truth)


So here is my genuine question. It seems science has discovered this list:
As a whole vitamin C contains the following; something called ascorbinogen,
bioflavonoids, rutin, tyrosinase there's a factor J K and P and it has mineral cofactors and lastly ascorbic acid.


Are these simply invented? I don't think so but can they be explained away? I think if nature provides all this material it might just be needed to make vitamin c effective

[tfm_patrick]

How is the simple molecule obtained and Where does the simple molecule come from before it’s subject to a series of reactions using acids, bases, and exotic organometallic compounds.

[TheHHPodcast]

Regarding vitamin B9: What is your opinion on the synthetic folic acid vs natural folate - debate? You mentioned a molecule is a molecule regardless of its journey, but here they are actually different molecules right? Really appreciate you

[noam_segal]

But what about the impact of lots of the same nutrient coming in at once rather then being absorbed slowly throughout the day in the diet? The effects can and do vary greatly