There are quite a few reasons we don’t do isolated compounds, but mainly it’s because they can be dangerous. When we isolate nutrients out of the natural context of food, but often created synthetically in laboratories, they behave very differently in the body.
Vitamin D is a perfect example of this; it’s one of the most widely supplemented nutrients in the world. Vitamin D is actually a secosteroid that can be synthesised in the skin through sunlight exposure. This steroid is crucial for bone health, inflammation regulation, and immune function. We can also get Vitamin D from foods like fatty fish, dairy, mushrooms, and eggs.
When we are exposed to sunlight, particularly UVB rays, the body has a natural mechanism to produce and regulate vitamin D. This process is highly efficient and self-regulating, meaning the body only produces the amount of vitamin D it needs, preventing the risk of excess. Conversely, when we eat food that contains Vitamin D naturally, it is in synergy with other nutrients that support its safe absorption and metabolism.
Vitamin D supplementation can cause many issues in the body, such as hypercalcemia, which is an excess of calcium. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium from the gut, but in excess through supplementation, it can cause dangerously high levels of calcium in the bloodstream, leading to nausea, vomiting, kidney stones, and even cardiovascular issues like arteriosclerosis.
Then when Vitamin D is coupled with a calcium supplement, there is an increased risk of cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes. Studies have shown that women, in particular, who take calcium and vitamin D supplements are at a higher risk for heart attacks.
Vitamin D is a hormone, and excess intake of this hormone can disrupt the balance of other hormones, like thyroid and parathyroid, and the balance of magnesium and phosphorus.
Ironically, while most people take Vitamin D to help with bone health, excessive Vitamin D can reduce bone density because it results in too much calcium being taken from the bones.
This problem is nuanced, and while in some cases a supplement may be necessary, a deficiency can often be remedied by moderate sun exposure and increased dietary intake.
Vitamin A is another vital nutrient essential for immune function, skin health, and vision. There are two forms of Vitamin A: plant-based beta carotene, found in foods like carrots, sweet potatoes, and leafy greens, and retinol, found in animal products like liver and eggs. The body converts beta-carotene into active Vitamin A only when it’s needed, ensuring a balanced, safe intake without the risk of excess.
When this nutrient is isolated and consumed, it can be toxic. Excess is stored in the liver, where it can build up. In pregnant women, this buildup can lead to birth defects.
Iron is another heavily supplemented nutrient critical for transporting oxygen throughout the body. It comes in two dietary forms: Heme iron, from animal-based foods like red meat and poultry, which is absorbed more efficiently, and non-heme iron, from plant-based foods like lentils and spinach, which is less readily absorbed.
Whether you are ingesting heme or non-heme iron, the body regulates absorption to prevent excess iron buildup. In excess, iron can accumulate in the liver, heart, and pancreas, causing damage over time—this condition is known as hemochromatosis.
High doses of iron can also interfere with calcium absorption and inhibit the absorption of other essential minerals like zinc and copper, leading to imbalances.
Wholefoods, natural foods, are superior to isolated nutrients because they provide a balanced nutrient profile and enhance absorption. The body has an intelligence to regulate nutrient intake, reducing the risk of toxicity.
If there is a deficiency in your body, it’s best to tackle it with wholefoods.
Alternatively, if you know what you need, shop our full our range now.
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