Are you taking the wrong vitamins?

We've been told for years that vitamin supplements are a great way to fill in the gaps in our nutrient-deficient diets. Even your doctor probably recommends one. But are you taking the right vitamin supplement?

First of all, do we really need "extra" vitamins and minerals? Shouldn't we be getting what we need from our diet? We should be, but the truth is, we're not.

Fruits and veggies are vital sources of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, but we are clearly not eating enough of them. A large-scale study (NHANES) (source) showed that:

• 71% don't meet the daily minimum fruit intake • 73% don't meet the daily minimum vegetable intake

This adds up to chronic deficiencies in vitamins and minerals. A University of Illinois study (source) showed most U.S. adults are lacking in 10 essential nutrients. For example, fewer than 5% of people get enough potassium, a mineral critical for cell function and heart health.

Dr. Linus Pauling, two-time Nobel Prize winner, put it this way, "You can trace every ailment, every sickness, and every disease to a vitamin and mineral deficiency."

So yes, you need to supplement your diet. But how healthy are most multivitamins? Take a look at the contents of a typical multivitamin.

It is estimated that over 95% of all vitamin supplements contain synthetics and isolates. Their names may sound scientific; however these compounds are derived from petrochemicals and are in a form not readily recognized by the body.

Why does the sourcing matter? "Nature always packages vitamins in groups. The vitamins work together for better absorption. For this reason, the body responds to an isolated vitamin in the same way it responds to a toxin."-Organic Consumers Association (OCA)

According to author Michael Pollan, the food rule is simple:

"If it came from a plant, eat it. If it is made in a plant, don't."

That simple rule makes even more sense when you see the difference between synthetic vitamins and plant-sourced nutrition.

So what should a healthy vitamin supplement look like? For one, the label should read more like a recipe, listing the food sources of the nutrients within.

Take a look at a whole-food sourced supplement label, Super Green Juice (learn more). You'll see food sources, rich in hundreds of phytonutrients needed for cellular energy, renewal and repair.

You also see plant-based enzymes, so your body can absorb the full measure of all the antioxidants, flavonoids, anthocyanins and carotenoids within.

In one scoop you get the nutritional benefit of 44 organic superfoods.

It just makes sense that your supplements should be sourced from fruits and veggies, and not the chemical isolates found in most vitamins.

But does it really make that much of a difference to your health? YES!

Research shows fruit and vegetable intake is directly linked to health and longevity. A study by the University College London (UCL) on over 65,000 people found that the more fruits and veggies eaten, the longer people lived.

Dr. Oyinlola Oyebode (UCL), the lead author of the study said, "The size of the effect is staggering. The clear message here is that the more fruits and vegetables you eat, the less likely you are to die at any age."

Hundreds of studies published in prestigious medical journals show food-based nutrition supports heart health (source), lowers the risk of cognitive decline (source), supports cellular health (source), and vastly improves outcomes.

Companies use synthetic vitamins because the ingredients (petrochemicals) are cheap, and because labeling laws allow them to list synthetics as "vitamins."

But what does science tell us about synthetics?

Have you ever wondered why studies on vitamins in the news never seem to show a health benefit? Or in some cases, these studies show a NEGATIVE result?

It turns out practically EVERY negative study on "vitamins" was done using synthetics and isolates.

Take the landmark Finnish Study as an example (source). This double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in the New England Journal of Medicine was supposed to prove the cancer-protective benefits of beta-carotene and vitamin E.

Imagine their surprise when they discovered a HIGHER incidence of lung cancer (18%) and higher total mortality (8%) in the group receiving the vitamins.

It turns out the study group received synthetic vitamin E and synthetic beta-carotene. Synthetics formulated with petrochemicals and toxic solvents. Every study on food-sourced natural beta-carotene and natural vitamin E are associated with a LOWER risk of cancer.

Be warned. Some supplement makers try to cash in on consumers' growing demand for natural nutrition by adding a sprinkling of plant-based nutrition to a formula that is really filled with synthetics.

If the vitamins listed use terms such as "riboflavin", "folic acid", "ascorbic acid" or "niacinamide", it has been spiked with synthetics.

Super Green Juice (learn more) gives you complete nutrition from 44 organic superfoods that you're likely not eating every day.

One simple scoop of Super Green Juice is like taking nine supplements!

Fortunately, many medical professionals recognize the difference between synthetic supplements and plant-based nutrition.

Darrel Hestdalen, D.C., DIBAK, FASA: "In the age of industrial agriculture, our unique and powerful body systems require complete nutrition. Touchstone Essentials offers the completeness of whole food nutrition to meet our daily needs and maintain strong, healthy bodies."

Maria Sulindro, M.D., ABAAM: "Oxidative stress and toxins have a direct impact on both your internal health and your outward appearance. The whole food supplements of Touchstone Essentials represent the best in nutritional therapy available today."

A healthy supplement is one that supports your health using proven plant extracts. Make sure yours comes from whole food nutrition so you can see and feel the difference.