Do “synthetic” vitamins contain the same physiological activity as “natural” vitamins?
With few exceptions, our bodies cannot differentiate between a vitamin that has been isolated from a natural source and one synthesized in the laboratory. There is no difference for the vast majority of vitamins in terms of chemical structure and therefore, our bodies cannot differentiate the two sources. The primary exception is with respect to vitamin E where the natural form is called d-alpha-tocopherol and the synthetic version is dl-alpha-tocopherol. The d- and l- forms of vitamin E are like looking at your two hands and knowing that one hand cannot replace the other. Much information on the Internet concerning nutrition and health is either inaccurate or grossly misleading. Articles on the Internet stating that “synthetic” vitamins deplete your body of nutrients, require more energy or tax your kidneys are untrue and scientifically unfounded.
