There is a lot of debate about which source of a vitamin or mineral is best—food-based vitamins or traditional vitamins and minerals. One important point to remember is that whatever the source of the vitamin included in the product, it’s the same. All vitamins and minerals have a chemical formula, and the formula is always the same, so the source does not change the vitamin or mineral that you will obtain.
Are Food-Based Vitamins Easier to Absorb?
Another argument that is often used is that food-based vitamins are easier to absorb. All vitamins are, in general, very easy to absorb, and so again the source is less important. However, with traditional food supplement sources of vitamins, it is much easier to obtain an ethical dose of a vitamin by consuming a smaller amount of product. Food-source products tend to be much lower in strength.
Minerals: A Slightly Different Story
It is slightly different with minerals, as some minerals are difficult to absorb. Iron is difficult to absorb, and our bodies have made it difficult to absorb because too much iron is not good for us. Food-source minerals in this case may well be easier to absorb, but this effect is usually negated because the concentration of the mineral is much lower.
Cost Considerations
Food-source vitamins also tend to be much more expensive than traditional sources. Whichever source you prefer is good, and it is better to take a supplement and ensure you are getting some nutrients rather than not taking a supplement at all.
At Solo Nutrition, we use the best of the traditional vitamin and mineral forms, which enables us to provide doses of vitamins and minerals that are ethical and that our customers find are very effective.
