When I see my clients, they always have this huge laundry list of vitamins and supplements they ingest. It is crazy, things like vitamin C, D, E, multi vitamins, B vitamins, melatonin, etc…. List goes on and on. Now, ingesting an isolated vitamin and thinking that your body is going to utilize it properly does not make sense. 

For example, let’s take vitamin C, your body is not use to absorbing and digesting ascorbic acid on its own. An isolated synthetic compound can be dangerous, and create other imbalances in the body. An isolated synthetic compound will harm your liver, because there are no other constituents supporting it. Ascorbic acid, in synthetic form, can offset B vitamins in the body. So, then when you find yourself ingesting one synthetic, you start having to use another, and it keeps this vicious cycle going. 

When you look at nature, it has vitamins in groups, not isolates, which include other chemical compounds, and constituents, that help your body absorb and metabolize them efficiently. Plants and herbs are complex, they contain a host of phytonutrients, enzymes, co factors, that synergistically work together to help your body properly absorb.

Moreover, too much of one nutrient can affect others. For example, excess zinc creates copper deficiency, and excess vitamin D creates magnesium deficiency. 

As an Ayurvedic Doctor, there might be certain elements that your body might need. For example, magnesium, or B12, but you have to keep your body type, and imbalances in mind. As I mentioned above, if you think oh I just might need some extra vitamin C, think about getting yourself properly assessed by a health professional #1, #2 blood tests, and proper assessment by a health professional they can examine what mineral, vitamin and deficiencies you may have, #3 make sure you look at plant based options, and amending your diet first. #4 A lot of the nutrients, minerals and vitamins your body is lacking, is because your gut health is not good. You could be dealing with dysbiosis, candida yeast, autoimmune issues etc… 

Hope this shines some light on synthetic supplements. Stay tuned for more information on this!