Science Misses Vitamin Differences

Science operates on the premise that there are no differences between natural and synthetic vitamins. If this is true, there is no need for this website. But, this is simply not true. A few synthetic vitamins must undergo a conversion once inside the body from the synthetic form into the body active form, such as Folic Acid, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin B12. Once this conversion happens, the natural and the converted synthetic take on the same structual form. But, there are some significant events that can occur after consumption and before conversion that reveal differences. 

NATURAL VERSUS SYNTHETIC VITAMINS - The Conversion Factor

• To be active, Synthetic Folic acid has to be converted into the natural body active form of folate, as 5-methylfolate. The liver can only process so much at one time. Excess unmetabolized or unconverted folic acid circulates in the body until the liver can process. Some people may have a genetic mistake that does not fully process or convert all of the synthetic folic acid. During this time, the unmetabolized folic acid has been found to lower the activity of the immune system's natural killer cells. here Science has yet to determine the consequences of this form, but a number of diseases are associated with lower activity, such as infections and cancers. here 
• Why did the colon cancer rate spike up the year after food fortification of folic acid in both the US and Canada? And then again ten years later when Chile began folic acid fortification. It appears dietary folates protect against cancer development, while both the natural and synthetic forms appear to stimulate cancer growth once present. Science does not offer any explanation for why it does not recognize these situations. here There appear to be some significant differences between natural folates and synthetic folic acid the unmetabolized form may be part of this. There is a link to dementia with vitamin B12 levels. One study found that as dietary folic acid increases, unmetabolized folic acid builds up in Breast milk while natural folates reduce, potentially a distressing development for the infant. here  Not all studies show this effect. More research is needed to clarify. Just too many areas of concern with synthetic folic acid, even though it does work the same as natural after conversion.

• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin B12

• Natural Vitamin E in nature is a family of 8 related forms. Only one of these 8 is considered vitamin E by the US Government Health Agencies and found in over 98% of Multi-Vitamin Formulas. Synthetic vitamin E is produced as only one of the eight as well, dl'alpha tocopherol. Between the natural alpha tocopherol and the synthetic dl'alpha tocopheryl, there exists the greatest structual difference of any synthetic vitamin forms. In fact, the synthetic production process generates 8 forms of dl'alpha tocopherol and only one (17%) is identical to the natural form, RRR-alpha tocopherol, but 3 others have some vitamin E antioxidant activity making the synthetic about 50% of an equal amount of natural. here But, the other 7 forms of the E family offer benefits not attributed to the alpha tocopherol forms in the same significant degree for protecting brain functions, lowering cholesterol levels, and reducing some cancers, such as prostate. here