In the wake of a global pandemic, many of us are paying close attention to our health and wellbeing.
We are increasingly focusing our attention on what we eat, how much we exercise, and how best to look after our bodies.
Yet, it can be difficult to get everything we need from a healthy lifestyle alone, which is why natural health supplements are becoming more and more popular.
And as scientists learn more about natural compounds and how they can positively impact our health, the number of supplements available is increasing.
But choosing the right supplements for your needs can be complicated. And choosing between natural, synthetic and organic synthetic supplements can be confusing.
Don’t worry, we’re covering everything you need to know in this guide, including:
- What are natural and organic supplements?
- A list of the best organic natural supplements
- Benefits of using natural supplements
Let’s dive in.
In this guide:
What are organic natural supplements?
If you’ve ever found yourself in the aisles of a health food shop, you’ll be familiar with the range of terms used to describe supplements. Organic, natural and synthetic are the three most common.
But what exactly do these terms mean? And how do you choose the right ones for you?
What are natural supplements?
Natural health supplements are concentrated vitamins and minerals that are derived from natural sources, usually plants.
Natural supplements are typically:
- Free from chemicals
- Free from artificial fillers or toxic components
- Easily absorbed by your body
Since they are from natural sources, these compounds interact with the human body in the way it is accustomed to. They are effectively absorbed by the body and deliver the full range of benefits of the nutrient and other beneficial compounds found in the plant.
The alternative to a natural supplement is a synthetic supplement.
Synthetic vitamins and dietary supplements are made artificially, either in a lab or through an industrial process such as in a factory.
Chemically, they are the same as natural vitamins and minerals, but this doesn’t mean they have identical effects on the human body. There are concerns that synthetic supplements may not be absorbed as efficiently by the body as natural ones.
Additionally, synthetic vitamins and minerals are manufactured in isolation, meaning you may miss out on other beneficial components that accompany the primary component of natural supplements.
However, some people prefer synthetic supplements due to its affordability or dietary restrictions.
What are organic supplements?
Organic supplements, as the name suggests, are not grown or harvested using chemical fertilisers, herbicides or pesticides. Nor do they use additives, genetic engineering or chemical compounds.
For a product to be truly organic, these criteria must be applied from the start of the cultivation of all ingredients, right through to the manufacture and processing of the final product.
And for a product to be officially labelled as organic in the UK, at least 95% of its ingredients must meet organic standards.
There are also specific guidelines about what organic vitamins and supplements need to display on the label. In the UK, products labelled as organic must show:
- Where all farmed ingredients were produced
- The code number of the control body. For example, organic produce grown in the UK will have a code that starts with “GB-ORG”
The 9 best organic natural supplements
Let’s take a look at the best natural supplements that can provide your body with the nutrients it needs the most.
1. CoQ10
CoQ10, or Coenzyme Q10 to give it its full name, is a compound that is naturally produced by our bodies.
Each cell of the human body contains a certain level of CoQ10, though the kidneys, heart, and liver usually have the highest level of Coenzyme Q10.
The presence of CoQ10 in your cells gives you energy, and so lower levels of this substance in your body can cause fatigue. If your body doesn’t produce the required amount of Coenzyme Q10, then it won’t be able to keep your cells healthy and active.
Certain diseases, as well as simply getting older, can lower the levels of CoQ10 that your body produces.
You can get CoQ10 from foods like fish, nuts, and meat, but these foods only contain small quantities of this compound, so CoQ10 supplements can be recommended for many people.
Organic CoQ10 supplements are completely safe as long as you stay within the recommended dosage.
2. Vitamin B12
Another natural supplement that converts the food you eat into energy is Vitamin B12. For Vitamin B12, you must add lots of meat, fish, and dairy products as part of your regular diet.
While a healthy diet may be enough to provide your body and cells with sufficient levels of Vitamin B12, a significant proportion of people do not get enough of this vital nutrient and they end up with Vitamin B12 deficiency.
You might experience fatigue and exhaustion if your body does not get enough Vitamin B12 through food. Another common symptom of Vitamin B12 deficiency is light-headedness, and in severe cases, it can cause heart palpitations and shortness of breath.
If you are experiencing a Vitamin B12 deficiency, changing your diet can help to address this, but taking supplements is a faster and more effective way to address the issue.
People following a vegan or vegetarian diet are often encouraged to ensure they take B12 supplements because they do not eat meat or fish which is high in the vitamin.
However, plenty of vegan and vegetarian alternatives are fortified with Vitamin B12 – and some studies have found that people following these diets have better levels of B12 than the average meat eater as a result.
3. Iron
Red blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs to different organs, cells, and tissues in your body and you need to eat iron-rich food to produce these red blood cells, also known as haemoglobin.
People with low haemoglobin levels can suffer from anaemia, a disease that occurs due to the deficiency of iron in your body.
Lack of iron is surprisingly common and one of the most common reasons why you may feel tired and weak. The lower the level of red blood cells in your body, the harder it makes it for your lungs to transport oxygen throughout your body.
Blood loss due to accidents, pregnancy, as well as poor diet can cause iron deficiency, and your doctor may commonly prescribe iron supplements in this case.
4. CBD Oil
CBD is a cannabinoid, one of over 100 compounds that naturally occur in cannabis plants, and works on the human body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS).
The ECS is essential for maintaining homeostasis throughout the body, which is another word for balance. It regulates a number of functions throughout the body, including sleep patterns, appetite, hormones, inflammation and pain response.
CBD is thought to help support the ECS to function correctly. While it is not a treatment or cure for any specific condition, it can help to support an overall sense of wellness.
CBD is an easy-to-use supplement as it can be consumed in different forms from CBD oil, to CBD capsules, CBD balms and various edibles.
Read more: Benefits of CBD
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5. Creatine
Creatine is another essential compound for human health that is mainly found in meat, fish and poultry. Creatine gives your body the energy it needs to perform high-intensity exercise, and is therefore important for athletes and gym fanatics.
Creatine is availble as an organic supplement and can be used to increase your energy levels.
Having enough Creatine in your body will boost your endurance and let you train for longer.
Studies have shown that Creatine can improve body mass, strength and exercise performance during high intensity activities.
Many athletes use creatine supplements to get the energy needed for high-intensity workouts and weightlifting.
6. Beetroot Powder
Beetroots are packed with antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, iron, and other essential nutrients. Its nutritional properties make it a truly powerful dietary supplement.
Beetroot also contains folate, which is extremely important for cell and DNA health.
You can receive these benefits by eating sufficient quantities of fresh beetroot or beetroot juice.
However, if you don’t have access to fresh beetroot or simply don’t like the taste, you can also gain these benefits from beetroot in natural organic supplement form.
7. Turmeric
Turmeric is considered by many to be a medicinal herb, as well as being one of the popular spices in India. It contains a number of compounds that are known for their beneficial properties.
For example, it contains curcumin which has anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Many people consume turmeric extracts that contain high levels of curcumin.
You need at least 1 gram of curcumin in your daily dosage to receive the optimum health benefits of this medicinal herb.
That’s virtually impossible when you consume turmeric as the spice or an ingredient in your food, so a turmeric supplement is the better option.
8. Magnesium
Being the fourth most important nutrient for the human body, magnesium plays a vital role in keeping you healthy and active.
This mineral is mainly found in our muscles, tissues, and bones and magnesium supplements can be used right before you perform high-intensity workouts.
Read more: CBD oil for weightlifting
Though research hasn’t proven its effects on your energy levels, many people believe that natural magnesium supplements can give their energy levels a boost.
Your body needs around 400 milligrams (mg) of magnesium a day for men and 320mg for women. You could include the magnesium-rich foods in your diet or take organic supplements.
Either way, it is important to ensure optimal health of your body’s organs and tissues.
9. Lavender Oil
Lavender oil is known for its antiseptic and inflammatory properties and is sometimes used to treat skin issues and minor burns.
Lavender oil as a organic supplement is available in a liquid extract and are mainly used in aromatherapy.
Benefits of organic natural supplements
These are some of the benefits you can enjoy when you choose natural and organic supplements.
Chemical and toxin free products
You can be confident that any product labelled as the “certified organic” does not contain chemicals and toxins. When you consume organic dietary supplements, you can rest assured that there are no chemicals or toxins present.
Why expose your body to hundreds of chemicals when you have the best natural alternative available?
Consuming organic supplements means you are keeping your body from the toxins that are not only hard to digest but could be harmful to your health.
Eco-friendly
Organic harvesting and cultivation requires about half the amount of effort compared to non-organic and synthetic supplements.
It goes without saying that organic farming is far more eco-friendly: not only does it use less water, but it eliminates harmful and toxic pesticides and fertilisers that can get into the food chain and devastate the natural environment.
Buying organic products such as dietary supplements is one of the easiest and most effective ways you can protect the planet.
Versatility
Organic natural supplements are available in a variety of different forms, from herbal extracts to vitamins and minerals capsules, and powders.
Easy to digest
Healthy soil that is not exposed to the fertilizers and chemicals produce natural and nutritious plants. These plants turn into nourishing and healthy food that is packed with plenty of vitamins and minerals.
Our body tends to absorb organic nutrients more easily than synthetic compounds and so natural supplements are more efficient.
Range of nutrients
The major benefit of the organic natural supplements extracted from plants is that they come with a range of nutritional properties.
The simple process of extracting natural compounds from the whole plants allows manufacturers to get the full nutritional value of the plant, rather than just the isolated vitamin or mineral.
Organic supplements that are extracted from the whole plant typically feature essential vitamins, minerals, cofactors, enzymes, natural compounds, and other elements that give you an extra nutritional boost.
Key takeaways
A balanced diet is a great start when it comes to promoting better physical health. However, it is not always possible or practical to get all the vitamins and minerals your body needs through the food you eat.
That’s where organic natural supplements comes into play.
These natural health supplements give your body the nutrients it needs to be at its best. Available in capsules, liquid and other forms, these supplements are easy to take and quickly absorbed by the body.
Additionally, organic supplements are free from chemicals and toxins, as well as being produced in a way that will not harm the environment.
