Food Based vs Synthetic Chemical Based Nutrition

NutritionPlant-Based vs. Synthetic
Chemical Nutrients
38D.C. PRODUCTS REVIEW SEPTEMBER 2008
By: Richard Drucker, B.S., M.S., N.D., Ph.D.
Michael Roth, D.C.

Nutrients can be broadly based into two gen-
eral classes: artificial and natural. Within
these two groups are subcategories such as:
combinations of artificial and natural ingre-
dients, as well as plant-based and animal-based. The
focus of this article will be on the differences and
advantages/disadvantages of plant-based and synthetic
chemical nutrients.
Since more consumers are relying on additional sup-
plementation for health purposes, it is important to
know the differences between nutrients derived from
living plants and those from non-living, inert synthetic
chemicals. The wrong choice can have short and long
term consequences.
The first and most obvious difference between the
two categories is that plant-based nutrients were once
part of a living biological organism, perfect in form and
function, where synthetic chemical nutrients are princi-
pally man-made — the result of trial, error and experi-
mentation in a lab. The primary reasons that many
nutrients today are synthetic are convenience and price.
It is much easier and more cost-effective to access chem-
icals in bulk and process them in one or two main loca-
tions. Since synthetic vitamins and chemical nutrients
are designed for cost purposes, they are created from
plentiful and inexpensive sources, not from whole foods
or plant matter. They are the cheapest supplements to
be found.1 On the other hand, growing, harvesting and
processing real plant nutrients is far more costly, but far
more bio-available, able to permeate the cell membrane
for use as fuel, and beneficial.
On the surface, synthetic chemical nutrients may look
and even taste similar to the plant-based organic nutri-
ents, but they are NOT identical. This difference in
chemical structure is what not only keeps the chemical
nutrients from delivering the health benefits they
should, but also can be detrimental to one’s health over
time. Anything not inherently found in nature has the
potential to be toxic to the body which eventually may
result in a variety of health infirmities.
Studies repeatedly have shown that synthetic chemi-
cal nutrients do not compare to living plant-derived
nutrients when it comes to health benefits. For example,
in a study done to test the anti-oxidant capability of a
synthetic form of vitamin C vs. natural Ascorbic acid, it
was found that synthetic antioxidant food additives
(BHA, TBHQ, and BHT) conventionally used in the
food industry were less effective antioxidants than
ascorbic acid.2
Additionally, since the size and chemical structure
are not identical to naturally-occurring nutrients, syn-
thetics generally are less bio-available, rendering them
inefficient, and they have a tendency to get stored in
specific areas of the body such as the tissues between
the cells, lymph fluids, and subcutaneous fat. The
body’s immune system views these new additions as
foreign invaders and does what it’s supposed to do –
attacks them. This is known as auto-intoxification and is
believed to be a contributing factor in many auto-
immune diseases.
Most synthetic vitamins come in several forms: pow-
ders, liquids, pills, tablets, gelcaps, and capsules.
Binders and fillers used in discounted mass-volume
supplements, such as dibasic calcium phosphate (DCP)
and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), cannot be broken
down by the body, so they may pass right through
along with the beneficial nutrients.3 Tons of un-dis-
solved pills have been found in sewer pipes. These same
binder compounds can remain in the bloodstream long
after the pill has been eliminated and over time can
accumulate in the tissues which may lead to various
health complications including cancer, heart disease,
stroke, pre-mature aging, painful joints, kidney stones,
and host of auto-immune aberrances.
Chemical solvents such as benzene and toluene have
been and are being used in the processing of synthetic
chemical nutrients. In fact, some of the chemicals used
to manufacture solid supplements are identical to those
used in insecticides, motor fuels, explosives and lac-
quers.
On the other hand, nutrients that are produced in
nature from real, living plant matter are made up of a
structure that is readily absorbed and utilized by the
body. They are not recognized as foreign invaders and
are eagerly accepted by the cells as beneficial food to be
used for the various essential biological functions of the
body (i.e. detoxification) for optimal health.
A key in the bioavailability of living plant-based
material is carbon. Carbon is what primarily separates
organic from inorganic. Nutrients derived from living
material contain a carbon atom; artificial nutrients do
not. Nearly all synthetic chemical nutrients are inorgan-
ic (synthetic/toxic). Why is this so important? The
human body is carbon-based. Therefore, the food that is
consumed should be carbon-based or organic as well.
Studies have shown the absorption of vitamin E in the
form of alpha-tocopherol from natural, organic sources
is much better than that of the synthetic stereoisomer
mixtures (i.e. vitamin E acetate).4
Not only are plant-based nutrients superior to syn-
thetic chemical nutrients in every way, they also contain
all the body needs for homeostasis (keeping the body in
a state of optimal health balance). Synthetic nutrients
simply cannot compete with plant-based, living, organic
foods, nor can they provide complete nutrition.
When making the choice of the best nutritional sup-
plements, look for organically complexed (carbon
bound) supplements derived from whole foods, mini-
mally processed, and made from the highest quality
ingredients. It is always best to avoid preservatives,
synthetic ingredients, binders, excipients, coatings, and
flow agents as much as possible to acquire the best pos-
sible nutrition. Good health is ultimately worth the
investment.

About The Authors:
Richard Drucker, B.S., M.S., N.D., Ph.D.
Dr. Drucker has a Masters of Science in Natural Health and
Doctorate in Naturopathy as well as a Doctorate in Natural
Health with a specialty in natural Immunology. He is a highly
respected doctor in the field of natural health and the CEO of
Drucker Labs, who manufactures and distributes health, well-
ness and nutritional products. His patient practice focuses on
Quantum Physics and nutritional therapies.

Michael Roth, D.C.
Dr. Roth obtained his Chiropractic degree from Life Chiroprac-
tic College in Marietta, Ga. and has nearly 25 years experience
in health and nutrition. He is currently the patient protocol
consultant for Drucker Labs, Inc., manufacturer and distribu-
tor of health, wellness and nutritional products.