Vitamin Supplements - Causing More Harm Than Good?

We all need a variety of vitamins and minerals for our bodies to be healthy. Vitamins are required in order for hundreds of different roles within our tissues to take place. Many of us turn to supplements for ourselves and our pets to make sure we are in fact getting everything needed to be in great health. But you need to be aware that your pet's vitamin supplement could be causing more harm than good.

 All supplements are not created equal!

One of the biggest problems with vitamin supplements occurs when they are created through synthetic means.  Synthetic vitamins are created in a laboratory (not by nature) and do not contain the same compounds as found in nature.

Take vitamin C for example. The majority of vit C supplements are synthetic and contain only ascorbate acid, but ascorbate acid is NOT vitamin C! Real vitamin C found in whole foods contains eight different compounds, one of which is ascorbate acid.

When you isolate one out of a handful of different compounds that make up a particular vitamin, you cannot expect it to perform the same as the whole complex would. All of the compounds work together to create a synergistic effect. Studies have shown that the body treats these isolated and synthetic "nutrients" as foreign substances. So instead of being absorbed and improving health, the body flags them as substances to be excreted.

A study conducted at the University of Leicester looked at 30 healthy men and women taking 400 milligrams of ascorbic acid for 6 weeks. They found at this level, the ascorbic acid promoted DNA damage in these individuals.

Back in the 1940's a study was conducted with foxes. One group was given synthetic B vitamins, and the second group was given natural sources of vitamin B. The outcome?

• Group 1 did not grow normally, had a poor coat and died prematurely
• Group 2 grew normally, had a healthy coat and survived their usual lifespan

When it comes to providing the body with vital nutrients required for optimal health, science does not even come close to duplicating nature.

Now there is also the problem of supplements being contaminated with different toxins such as heavy metals, bacteria and petroleum products. Unless the manufacturer is testing their products for these toxins I would consider them contaminated.

Depending on what your pet's diet contains, vitamin and mineral supplements may be a necessary addition to ensure they are receiving all the required nutrients. Always choose supplements made from organic whole food sources. Only whole foods contains WHOLE vitamins, minerals, enzymes and bacteria that will be utilized beneficially when consumed.

Stop wasting your money on synthetic supplements that are not going to give you the desired effect and can potentially make your pet's health even worse!

An organic raw food diet that contains a variety of "parts" and protien sources will provide the best foundation of nutrition for your cat or dog. Whole food supplements will bridge the gap between the diet and the required nutrients for optimal health.

Are you wondering if you need to supplement your pet's diet? are they missing nutrients that will negatively affect their health over time? Get your pet's diet completely assessed with a Nutrition Consultation and find out what they might be missing! Are you looking for a quality vitamin and mineral supplement for your dog? Email me and I will share with you my top choices.