How Vitamins Are Made
What You Need to Know About How Vitamins Are Made and Why Whole Food-Based Matters
In a world overflowing with supplement options, it can be confusing to figure out what you're really putting into your body. One of the most important distinctions is how vitamins are made. Are they synthetic? Naturally extracted? Or are they truly derived from real, whole foods?
Let's break down the difference and explore why whole food-based vitamins can make a real difference in your health.
šæ The 3 Ways Vitamins Are Produced
1. Synthetic Vitamins (Lab-Made)
These are made through chemical processes in a lab, often starting with petroleum or coal tar. They replicate the structure of vitamins but lack the cofactors and enzymes found in food.
Example: Ascorbic acid (synthetic vitamin C), DL-alpha tocopherol (synthetic vitamin E)
Pros: Cheap, widely available
Cons: Poor absorption, lacks natural support compounds, may stress liver or kidneys in high doses
2. Naturally Extracted Vitamins
These are isolated from plant or natural sources (like lanolin or algae), but are still usually just a single compound, not the whole food matrix.
Example: Vitamin D3 from lanolin; methylfolate from lemon peel
Pros: Better absorbed than synthetic
Cons: Still missing the full spectrum of nutrients and enzymes found in whole foods
3. Whole Food-Based Vitamins
These are made by gently drying, fermenting, or concentrating actual fruits, vegetables, grains, and herbs to preserve their complete nutrient profile.
Example: Vitamin C from acerola cherry, B vitamins from brown rice or wheat germ, folate from spinach
Pros: Contains natural cofactors, enzymes, and phytonutrients; better bioavailability; gentle on digestion
Cons: Lower potency per capsule (but more usable by the body)
š± How Whole Food-Based Vitamins Are Made (Step-by-Step)
š¾ 1. Sourcing Clean, Nutrient-Rich Food
Organically grown or pesticide-free plants like carrots, spinach, acerola cherry, or wheat germ are harvested at peak ripeness.
š¬ļø 2. Gentle Drying or Fermentation
Low-heat drying or fermentation methods are used to preserve the vitamins, enzymes, and cofactors naturally present.
š” 3. Concentration or Milling
The dried food is milled into powder or blended into concentrated extracts, retaining the nutrient synergy of the original food.
š¢ 4. Blending and Tableting
Powders are combined into balanced formulas and formed into tablets or capsules using plant-based binders without synthetic additives.
š¬ 5. Testing for Purity and Potency
Reputable brands test for heavy metals, pesticides, bacteria, and ensure nutrients are still active by the end of shelf life.
š Whole Food-Based vs Synthetic Vitamin Comparison
Feature Whole Food-Based Synthetic
Source Real food (fruits, veggies, grains) Chemical ingredients in lab
Nutrient Profile Full spectrum with cofactors Isolated single compound
Body Recognition Recognized as food May compete or need conversion
Absorption High, food-friendly Variable; often low
Side Effects Gentle May cause upset or strain
š¹ Where NeoLife Fits In
NeoLife is a leader in whole food-based supplementation. Their products:
Use real food concentrates from organic or clean sources
Are tested for purity, potency, and contaminants
Include synergistic compounds like Tre-en-en Grain Concentrates and Carotenoid Complex
Are free of synthetic dyes, artificial preservatives, and GMOs
NeoLife can support their quality with published clinical research and full traceability from seed to supplement.
š The Bottom Line
Not all vitamins are created equal. If you're looking for nutrients your body can truly absorb and use, whole food-based supplements are your best bet. They work with your body, not against it, and provide a broader range of health benefits over time.
Always read labels, look for food sources in the ingredient list, and prioritize what your body will recognize and benefit from most: nutrition in its original design.
