Multi-vitamins are a type of supplement that contains a range of health-promoting nutrients, including vitamins and minerals.
Today, many people are not getting the nutrients they need from their diet which is why they may turn to supplementation. The popularity of supplements is on the rise and has been for the past few decades. In 2021, approximately 80% of US adults were taking a dietary supplement compared to 64% in 2008[i].
However, taking a high-quality, natural nutrient is paramount if you’re going to achieve the desired effects. Yet, many multi-vitamins available on the market are synthetic and artificially manufactured.
At Stockk Nutrition we pride ourselves on our clean label products made from high-quality ingredients. Our TrueNature Multi™ 100% Natural Multi-Vitamin Blend is a prime example, bursting with 13 powerful vitamins and 7 vital minerals from a blend of plant ingredients, it packs a natural and nutritious punch.
Here, we’ll explore the difference between synthetic and natural multi-vitamins and what it is that makes the TrueNature Multi™ the perfect dietary supplement.
Natural vs. synthetic vitamins
Not all supplements are created equal, particularly about how they are sourced and manufactured. If you are a supplement seller, there’s no doubt you will have asked your suppliers where their ingredients are sourced from and how the product is manufactured. That’s where the difference between natural and synthetic supplements comes in.
What are synthetic supplements?
Synthetic supplements, also sometimes known as isolated nutrients, are artificially made, often from chemicals, in a factory or laboratory environment. They ‘copy’ the chemical structure of the naturally occurring vitamins and minerals your body needs to stay healthy. However, manufacturing in this way can increase the risk of impurities, requiring greater effort to remove them, which can be costly and have a negative environmental impact.
What are natural vitamins?
The ingredients within natural supplements are sourced from whole, natural foods, such as fruits, vegetables, algae, and fungi. To process them, the ingredients are usually dried and concentrated, so their nutrients can be extracted to produce a 100% natural multivitamin or dietary supplement.
Is there a nutritional difference between synthetic and naturally derived supplements?
Depending on which side of the fence you sit on will depend on the answer to this question. The consensus is that synthetic nutrients are nearly structurally and chemically identical to those found naturally present in food.
Yet, there are stark differences between the production processes which can mean the human body doesn’t react in the same way to synthetic products as it might to naturally occurring vitamins and minerals.
A review by Carr and Vissers (2013) found that there are some noticeable differences in the bioavailability of synthetic versus food-derived Vitamin C in animal studies, although these results did vary by study design, animal models, and the measured body compartments[ii].
Burton et al., (1998) compared the availability of synthetic and natural vitamin E in humans. The results found that natural vitamin E has roughly twice the availability of a synthetic version[iii].
Is TrueNature Multi™ synthetic or natural?
TrueNature Multi™ is a 100% natural multi-vitamin blend of plant ingredients that offers 80 to 120% of the daily value of vitamins.
The blend consists of 13 natural vitamins 8 minerals carefully extracted and concentrated from a variety of fruits, vegetables, seeds and mushrooms, to produce a rich, nutritious combination. They are:
- Apples
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Cherries
- Kale
- Oranges
- Shitake mushrooms
- Spinach
- Sunflower seeds
- Sweet potatoes
What vitamins does TrueNature Multi™ contain?
|
Vitamins |
Vitamin B |
Minerals |
|
A |
Thiamine (B1) |
Iron |
|
C |
Riboflavin (B2) |
Magnesium |
|
D3 |
Niacin (B3) |
Zinc |
|
E |
B6 |
Selenium |
|
K1 |
Folate |
Copper |
|
|
B12 |
Manganese |
|
|
Biotin |
Chromium |
|
|
Pantothenic acid |
|
Health benefits of vitamins A, C, D3, E, & K1
The vitamins in TrueNature Multi™ have been carefully selected for their numerous health benefits, which we’ll explore in more detail here.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that’s important for normal vision, supporting the immune system, reproduction, growth, and development[iv]. Beta-carotene, a type of carotenoid found in carrots and sweet potatoes, can be converted into vitamin A.
Research shows that high blood levels of carotenoids, such as lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene are associated with a reduced risk of age-related macular degeneration[v].
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is associated with numerous health advantages, from strengthening the immune system to lowering blood pressure. It is a potent antioxidant which means it can help neutralise free radicals circulating in the bloodstream, waiting to cause harm.
Kim et al., (2003) found that vitamin C supplementation markedly increases the circulating levels in the bloodstream[vi]. A meta-analysis of 29 trials examining the effects of vitamin C supplementation on blood pressure found it reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in hypertensive patients[vii].
Vitamin D3
Vitamin D is the most popular dietary supplement with 72.6% of people buying a vitamin D2 or D3 supplement in the year leading up to February 2022[viii]. Vitamin D is essential for the absorption and retention of calcium and phosphorus in the human body, making it vital for strong and healthy teeth and bones[ix].
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin which is known for its antioxidant effects. It can scavenge free radicals that have the potential to cause damage to cells and tissues[x]. Sunflower seeds contain 7.4 mg of alpha-tocopherol, the only form of vitamin E that the body can use, per serving, making them one of the richest sources[xi].
Vitamin K1
Vitamin K is found in green vegetables and is essential for processes including blood clotting and bone growth. It is often promoted for its benefits for bone health in postmenopausal women.
A 2-year randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial, involving 440 postmenopausal women randomized to either a 5 mg vitamin K1 supplement or a placebo found that vitamin K1 may protect against fractures and cancers in these women with osteopenia. However, the study found that vitamin K1 doesn’t protect against the age-related decline in bone mineral density[xii].
What is vitamin B complex good for?
Vitamin B complex contains all eight essential B vitamins in one go, and in this case alongside 12 other important vitamins and minerals. These eight nutrients support a variety of functions including metabolism, nerves, red blood cell production, energy production, and cognitive function.
- Thiamine in its active form is essential for the aerobic metabolism of glucose for energy. It’s also known to act as a free radical scavenger, neutralising their harmful potential[xiii].
- Riboflavin is also involved in energy production and has antioxidant activity but it’s also associated with preventing cataracts[xiv].
- Niacin is associated with improving blood fat profiles, for example, lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) but there are no associated benefits for cardiovascular disease mortality[xv].
- Vitamin B6 is important for the formation of hemoglobin, the protein present in red blood cells that transports oxygen around the body[xvi].
- Folate is essential for the synthesis of nucleic acids and red blood cells. It is often found in supplements in the form of folic acid, an essential vitamin for pregnant women to prevent neural tube defects[xvii].
- B12 is important for the production of DNA and energy, and supporting a healthy immune system. Deficiency in vitamin B12 can result in megaloblastic anemia, a condition that causes the presence of large red blood cells because of an impaired DNA synthesis process[xviii]. Chan et al., (2016) that a 1000 µg per day of an oral vitamin B12 supplement was an effective alternative treatment for pernicious anaemia[xix].
- Biotin is essential for turning food into energy and healthy hair, skin, and nails. Studies have shown that biotin supplementation can increase nail thickness by 25%[xx].
- Pantothenic acid, also known as vitamin B5, is particularly rich in mushrooms, sunflower seeds and sweet potatoes. One of its main roles is to help turn the food you eat into energy.
Minerals: Supporting various processes
Alongside the many vitamins in our TrueNature Multi™ product, we’ve also included another essential component of the human diet, minerals. The minerals featured in the blend can influence:
- Muscle and nerve function
- Iron levels
- DNA synthesis
- Immunity[xxi]
Chromium, for example, is known to improve the action of insulin and aid the breakdown and absorption of macronutrients. The presence of vitamins B3 and C enhances the absorption of chromium in the body[xxii].
Red blood cells carry oxygen around the body via the protein, hemoglobin. Iron is important for the formation of haemoglobin and also supports muscle metabolism and connective tissue. Iron deficiency can lead to anaemia, a factor in many adverse health outcomes. A Cochrane Review found that daily iron supplementation could lower the incidence of anaemia and iron deficiency. It also found that iron could improve exercise performance and reduce fatigue[xxiii].
Minerals such as copper, selenium and magnesium may all support the normal functioning of the immune system. Deficiency in these can lead to altered immune responses, increased inflammation, oxidative stress and affect the immune response to viruses[xxiv].
TrueNature Multi™ promise
At Stockk Nutrition we are committed to providing 100% natural, clean label products free from unnecessary additives and synthetic ingredients. That’s why we can promise that our TrueNature Multi™ is a 100% natural, multi-vitamin blend derived from a combination of plant ingredients. So, you can be sure you’re passing on the very best ingredients to your customers, produced using precision and high-quality standards.
How to get your hands on TrueNature Multi™
With so much choice for multivitamins on the market, it can be difficult to know which one to offer or to buy for yourself. Choosing natural options extracted from real plants over synthetic versions ensures you’re providing your body with the goodness it not only needs but can absorb.
Interested in supplying TrueNature Multi™ 100% natural, multi-vitamin blend? Contact us today to find out how you can partner with Stockk Nutrition.
Written by: Leanne Edermaniger MSC.
Sources
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