The Search for the Superior Supplement for Your Best Health

Is there really a difference between taking an isolated, concentrated mineral supplement versus a whole food mineral supplement? Is a whole food mineral supplement really necessary for optimum health?

Synthetic Supplements vs. Whole Food Sources

One school of thought holds that synthetic or even “natural” sources of key minerals delivered in concentrated doses provide the body with adequate mineral intake. Most pharmaceutical companies certainly subscribe to this belief. Minerals are synthesized or obtained from a variety of natural sources and packaged for high concentrate consumption. The effect of these isolated minerals is thought to be the same in terms of nutritional value since their structure mirrors that of whole food sources of these nutrients.

The opposing view maintains that vitamin and minerals are far too complex to function normally or effectively within the body when isolated. Isolated minerals do not, after all, occur in nature. Accordingly, only whole foods containing the full spectrum of nutrients’ elemental parts as they occur in whole foods provide complete, essential nutrition. “Complete” minerals are contained within whole food sources, and a whole food mineral supplement is the best means of ensuring adequate intake.

It’s easy to understand the premise behind the whole food mineral supplement theory. Certainly it would seem that whole foods are indeed the ideal source of the nutrients we need. But then is a whole food mineral supplement really necessary if we eat a balanced, nutritious diet? And don’t isolated minerals serve only as supplements to our diet? Does anyone really consider a supplement their main source of vital nutrients?

You Decide Which Supplement is Best

Perhaps the best way to decide whether a whole food mineral supplement is right for you is to try one. If you’ve already been consuming a multi-vitamin supplement containing minerals, discontinue its use during the experimental period. Explore the whole food supplements available online or in your health store and try out one or two products for a few months. It may well be that super foods and other whole food supplements agree with you. If you notice an improvement in your health, appearance, or energy levels, it makes sense to continue their use. On the other hand, if there is no obvious benefit or you find them inconvenient or disagreeable, it makes sense to discontinue taking them.

Making your own decisions about what works and what doesn’t for your best health is a smart approach to supplements. Talk with your doctor before beginning any new supplement and never exceed recommended dosages. With your doctor’s permission, don’t be afraid to experiment with different sources of vitamins and minerals. It may well turn out that what works for you at one time fails to perform long-term. The more options you have available when it comes to consuming vital nutrients, the more likely you are to succeed in ensuring your best health through proper nutrition.