Are Organic Discount Vitamins Healthier?

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