| ganic foods and juices become more popular, organic | | | | Nectarines..................Lettuce |
| vitamins are also showing up on shelves and web | | | | Strawberries.............Potatoes |
| sites. Consumers obviously appreciate the absence of | | | | Now that we have looked more closely at the organic |
| dangerous pesticides, foods in their more natural state, | | | | vitamin label, we are going to do the same with the |
| plus more careful processing, but are organic | | | | synthetic vitamin label. Just like the organic vitamins, not |
| supplements worth the extra price? Even with the | | | | all synthetic vitamins are the same. We know that |
| organic discount vitamins being cheaper than | | | | “synthetic” means that the vitamin |
| marked-up retail organic vitamins, is it really worth the | | | | molecule was reconstructed in a laboratory. What we |
| extra cost to consumers? | | | | may not realize is that not all synthetic vitamins are |
| There are thousands of vitamins and supplements | | | | constructed from chemicals or are considered |
| available to consumers today, but there are really only | | | | “unnatural”. Many synthetic vitamins are |
| two types of them on the market: synthetic and | | | | actually produced from natural items like produce and |
| organic. Synthetic vitamins have been formed in a | | | | whole grains. Those labels usually contain the words |
| laboratory by reconstructing the vitamin molecule | | | | “natural” or “all-natural”. |
| chemically. Organic vitamins are made from food | | | | Natural does not mean “organic”, as the |
| concentrates such as carrot powder, wheat germ, or | | | | ingredients that they are made from are not organically |
| buckwheat and their biochemical and molecular | | | | grown. |
| combinations remain in their original state. | | | | It makes sense that something constructed in a |
| In order to help the discount vitamin and supplement | | | | laboratory would not be considered natural or to be |
| shopper make an informed decision on whether or not | | | | healthy, but in some cases, there is actually no |
| to spend the extra money on the | | | | difference in the vitamin molecule. For example, a |
| “organic” labeled items, we are going to | | | | vitamin C molecule can be pulled from an orange and |
| take a deeper look at the organic label. It is important | | | | another can be reconstructed in the laboratory. They |
| to note that not all organic labels are the same. Listed | | | | can be exactly the same. A scientist, comparing the |
| below are a few common labels: | | | | two under a microscope, would not be able to tell the |
| • 100% Organic: This means that only | | | | origin of the vitamin C molecules. Some vitamin |
| organically produced ingredients were used in this item. | | | | manufacturers prefer to create the vitamin C molecule |
| • Organic: This means that at least 95% of the | | | | from a natural ascorbic acid because it is more cost |
| product was organically produced. | | | | effective, it attracts less risk of bacteria in the |
| • Made with organic ingredients: This means | | | | laboratory and it has a longer shelf life. |
| that at least 70% of the ingredients are organic but the | | | | Therefore, that brings us back to our original question: |
| USDA Organic seal cannot be used on these items. | | | | “Are organic discount vitamins |
| • No label: If a food contains less than 70% | | | | healthier?” The answer to that question |
| organic composition, the word organic may not appear | | | | depends on each individual consumer. What is |
| on the item. | | | | “healthy” to one person is not to |
| So, what does “organic” really mean? | | | | another. For example, one person thinks that eating a |
| Five years ago the term “organic” | | | | lot of meat for the protein and that eating no breads |
| applied to almost anything that food producers wanted. | | | | or pastas for the low-carbohydrates is a healthy act. |
| In 2002, the U.S. Department of Agriculture stepped in | | | | Another thinks that eating an abundance of pasta may |
| to regulate the meaning, stating that any produce can | | | | be healthy because it is low in fat and cholesterol but |
| be called organic when it is grown without synthetic | | | | will not eat a lot of meat for the fat content. While yet |
| pesticides, fertilizers and without bioengineering. | | | | another person will feel that eating any meat is |
| Because most organic vitamins are made from | | | | unhealthy and that pasta is not good because |
| produce or grains, these terms also apply to them. | | | | it’s processed and not usually whole grain. None |
| Whether organically grown produce and organic | | | | of the aforementioned people are wrong, nor |
| supplements have a higher quality nutritional content | | | | considered “unhealthy”. When thinking |
| than conventionally grown produce and supplements | | | | about which vitamins to choose, one should make that |
| has not yet been proven. Despite all the claims that | | | | decision based on their lifestyle choices and what they |
| have been made, there has not been any significant | | | | consider to be “healthy” in their |
| research done to compare the two in regards to | | | | everyday living. |
| short-term and long-term health. According to the | | | | Choosing the right vitamins and supplements are as |
| USDA, this type of research is costly and time | | | | important as choosing which foods you are going to |
| consuming because it is very difficult to show different | | | | eat. As you prepare to select from the thousands of |
| nutritional content of organically grown foods. | | | | discount vitamins and supplements available, here are |
| If you have to pick a set of chemicals to avoid, | | | | a few questions to ask yourself and points to think |
| pesticides should be that group. Pesticides are | | | | about that will help you make the right choice: |
| chemicals used in agriculture to kill pests, insects or | | | | • Doctors agree that living an active lifestyle |
| plants that are harmful to the crops being grown. | | | | and eating a balanced diet is the healthiest way to live. |
| Pesticides, by definition, are designed to be toxic. | | | | They also agree that although you are relatively |
| Organic foods are produced without added pesticides; | | | | healthy, eat sensibly and have a low-stress lifestyle |
| however, it does not mean that they are | | | | you can benefit from an individualized nutritional |
| pesticide-free. Organic foods can not contain added | | | | program. Please consult with a doctor, nutritionist or |
| pesticides, but they may still contain residual pesticides | | | | alternative health professional to see what nutritional |
| from the soil, especially if it was used for | | | | supplements are needed in your life. |
| conventionally grown crops in the past. | | | | • Once you know what vitamins and |
| A lot of crops have been proven to show no traces | | | | supplements are needed, think about what factors are |
| of pesticides after they have been washed off, so it | | | | important to you. Know what things are healthy to you. |
| may not make sense to pay the extra cost for the | | | | • Read the labels. Know what is in the vitamins |
| organic version of that crop. Some crops attract more | | | | and supplements that you purchase. Read the fine |
| pests and require more pesticides than others. Twelve | | | | print—are they loaded with sugars and fats? |
| crops that use a high level of pesticides are: | | | | Organic or not, sugar and fat are still sugar and fat! |
| Peaches....................Cherries | | | | • Always purchase your discount vitamins and |
| Apples........................Pears | | | | supplements from a well-known and trusted supplier. |
| Sweet peppers........Imported grapes | | | | Read the reviews on their website. |
| Celery.......................Spinach | | | | |