The dietary supplement industry has grown greatly over the last few decades. As more consumers choose natural substances to make up dietary deficiencies and foster health, even medical doctors are recommending vitamin therapy to their clients. However, the interest in vitamins has attracted many mainstream manufacturers, as well as some fly-by-night companies, and the quality of products is uneven. Consumers who choose organic non GMO vitamins have two assurances that weed out inferior products.
The organic seal ensures that a vitamin product is food-based. This means that the raw materials come from organically-certified foods. Vitamin C, for instance, will be derived from citrus fruits, berries, or other plant sources rather than from laboratory-made ascorbic acid, another usable form of this nutrient. Nothing with the organic label will legally be synthetic. In contrast, many brands include synthetic forms of vitamins; these substances appear the same under a microscope but often don't function as well as natural vitamins in the body.
The organic label precludes the use of genetically modified foods in the formula. However, most manufacturers also proudly display the information that their formula is GMO-free. Look for the industry symbol or a written statement on the label that assures none of these artificial ingredients are in the product.
Unfortunately, the 'natural' or 'all-natural' designation does not give this assurance, in spite of consumer efforts to keep this once-reassuring term unchanged. Large food companies have spent millions of dollars making sure regulations allow them to include questionable ingredients in supposedly wholesome food products.
Claims of safety for GMOs are not based on definitive research. A person or an animal doesn't die from eating genetically-modified corn, sugar beets, or tomatoes, but there is rising concern about the impact of GMOs on future generations. Researchers have found an increase in tumor growth and birth defects, among other disorders.
This kind of delayed problem happened with an increased use of systemic pesticides on crops around the world. Although adult bees could collect nectar from sprayed crops with no apparent problems, their grandchildren - the third generation of these important pollinators - died out, leaving hundreds of thousands of deserted hives. Countries that have banned these pesticides, such as France, have been able to restore their bee population.
Consumers who care about health food and truly natural supplements should spend their money on quality products from manufacturers who support the integrity of the industry. Some companies care only about profits and depend more on imitation and false advertising than quality control. By buying organically-certified and GMO-free products, consumers can get the most for their money, get the health benefits they want, and support committed manufacturers.
Research and customer satisfaction ratings both testify that adding vitamins to the diet in supplement form can have significant health benefits. Since the mass-produced food that most of us depend on has lower nutritional value than organically and locally grown foods, using targeted nutritional supplements is important for people of all ages. Studies have shown that those who take a daily multivitamin are healthier, live longer, and have a better quality of life.
The organic seal ensures that a vitamin product is food-based. This means that the raw materials come from organically-certified foods. Vitamin C, for instance, will be derived from citrus fruits, berries, or other plant sources rather than from laboratory-made ascorbic acid, another usable form of this nutrient. Nothing with the organic label will legally be synthetic. In contrast, many brands include synthetic forms of vitamins; these substances appear the same under a microscope but often don't function as well as natural vitamins in the body.
The organic label precludes the use of genetically modified foods in the formula. However, most manufacturers also proudly display the information that their formula is GMO-free. Look for the industry symbol or a written statement on the label that assures none of these artificial ingredients are in the product.
Unfortunately, the 'natural' or 'all-natural' designation does not give this assurance, in spite of consumer efforts to keep this once-reassuring term unchanged. Large food companies have spent millions of dollars making sure regulations allow them to include questionable ingredients in supposedly wholesome food products.
Claims of safety for GMOs are not based on definitive research. A person or an animal doesn't die from eating genetically-modified corn, sugar beets, or tomatoes, but there is rising concern about the impact of GMOs on future generations. Researchers have found an increase in tumor growth and birth defects, among other disorders.
This kind of delayed problem happened with an increased use of systemic pesticides on crops around the world. Although adult bees could collect nectar from sprayed crops with no apparent problems, their grandchildren - the third generation of these important pollinators - died out, leaving hundreds of thousands of deserted hives. Countries that have banned these pesticides, such as France, have been able to restore their bee population.
Consumers who care about health food and truly natural supplements should spend their money on quality products from manufacturers who support the integrity of the industry. Some companies care only about profits and depend more on imitation and false advertising than quality control. By buying organically-certified and GMO-free products, consumers can get the most for their money, get the health benefits they want, and support committed manufacturers.
Research and customer satisfaction ratings both testify that adding vitamins to the diet in supplement form can have significant health benefits. Since the mass-produced food that most of us depend on has lower nutritional value than organically and locally grown foods, using targeted nutritional supplements is important for people of all ages. Studies have shown that those who take a daily multivitamin are healthier, live longer, and have a better quality of life.
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