Supplements Aren't 'Natural' — And Why That is Useful

In being intricately involved in the various parts of the health and wellness industry, we often encounter the arguments around alternative medicine versus the approaches of conventional medicine — of which herbal/nutritional/nutraceutical supplements often have a relatively central role in defining the differences between the two broad approaches.

Part of our passion and purpose at VERHAKI is to promote holistic thriving — in the short and long term. That means that clarity, truth and awareness are a vital part of what we want to emulate and promote.

And, to further help the case for why supplementation should ideally be pursued with personal understanding, research and some guidance from an experienced and trained healthcare practitioner.

Disclaimer: this topic may stir up initial resistance in some individuals, but please hear me out in the name of pursuing truth and clarity. This post will form part of the introduction to a broader series of posts navigating the wonderfully complex and invaluable topic of health and wellness.

A few years back, I read an article challenging the notion that 'supplements are more natural than drugs, and therefore safer and more health promoting' — which in many ways, (along with Jeanri, my wife) sparked what you are reading now.

When encountering the above mentioned article, I initially felt defensive, but simultaneously curious — wondering what the author had to say that would challenge some of the long held, health-promoting beliefs, around my beloved (mostly excessive) supplement regime .

Essentially, the author of the article made the case that many (if not all) supplemental compounds may have a potent 'drug-like' impact on the human body, and are not naturally found in an isolated form in Mother Nature (anyone seen a banana with a multivitamin label?).

In this case, the author was specifically and primarily focusing on niacin: a widely available form of vitamin B3 that causes full body flushing when consumed in sufficient quantities, and has been clinically shown to exhibits significant effects on cardiovascular function by altering blood lipid levels (like reducing LDL Cholesterol), blood circulation and blood pressure.

However, like with many 'drugs' — whether pharmaceutical or supplements — there are potentially negative side effects to niacin use, especially when used consistently in the long term, or alongside other substances or medications. Side effects generally include the obvious flushing (generally considered harmless), tolerance requiring higher dosing over time, blood sugar dysregulation, excessively low blood pressure, and liver toxicity (specifically with sustained-release niacin). Some of which, (Cough) I may or may not have experienced myself.

Which brings us to one of the primary points of this post:

What is meant by 'natural'?

And, if supplements and nutraceuticals (fancy word) are generally considered more 'natural', especially in comparison to conventional pharmaceutical drugs and medications, then it can be assumed that they are then healthier and harmless — right?

So lets start with a basic and common definition of natural (according to the dictionary, also known as Google):

1. existing in or derived from nature; not made or caused by humankind.

2. in accordance with the nature of, or circumstances surrounding, someone or something.

These definitions may be slightly vague — and ever changing, especially as 'natural' may be confused with 'normal' as seen with the second definition provided (another whole topic, coming soon).

Our focus in this case is primarily the first definition.

Technically, much of our modern lives are not 'natural', and have changed drastically with the advancements of modern technology (thank goodness for the dishwasher). Technology has changed the way we leave, for better or worse.

With this understanding, and unless you are eating the raw substance from your backyard (or your friend's backyard) — most supplements (herbal extracts, nutrients, minerals, nutraceuticals etc.) — cannot be considered natural as they have needed to undergo industrial processes to isolate, refine, purify, alter, extract, and or manufacture the essence that we are after.

In some cases, that approach may be beneficial, because it may remove harmful impurities, contamination, or 'extras' that could add complication, while promoting standardization for more consistent and desired affects.

In other instances, it may be less beneficial, because it may remove complimentary compounds that work synergistically with one another — with the whole being better than an isolated part. It opens the debate between food versus wholefood supplements versus isolated compounds (again, another whole topic, coming soon). A vital part of our consulting is that context matters, with each approach having their own pros and cons.

In short, the mere fact that a supplemental or herbal compound goes through a industrial process, means that it has been removed from it original natural format.

Whether is it a pharmaceutical drug, like Asprin or Statins — or an isolated berry extract or collagen powder (like what we sell) — it is no longer in a natural form, especially as it likely exhibits a 'drug-like' potential or effect, possibly yet undiscovered or not understood.

Where it may differ, however, is the extent of the affect, and what is the underlying mindset behind either approach.

We are not here to promote 'either or thinking' though.

Modern technology and advancement has brought about for us, as a species, great success — especially in terms of life comforts, life extension, resources, and opportunity.

But, has simultaneously brought about a whole host of different challenges:

Thanks to the invention of the fridge and supermarkets, we generally no longer need to spend the majority of our daily time foraging, hunting or cultivating for food — but, now we tend to lack the variety and daily physical movement that scarcity and seasons bring. Or, we no longer have the stressor of running from, fighting or hiding from natural predators — but, we now have a traffic, social media, financial problems plaguing us, causing ever present chronic stress.

We traded up, in terms of survival, life extension and quality of life — but biologically, we may very likely be suffering the cost in other ways.

Where supplements and nutraceuticals may well be useful, is in their potential ability to serve as a tool to bridge the gap. Basically a form of technology that may help us to 'work smarter, not harder', achieving many benefits with less drawbacks.