Most people think a vitamin is a vitamin is a vitamin.  If they feel a supplement is required, they don’t give a second thought to providing a synthetic one.  It’s right there on the bottle, a list of the vitamins and what percentage of recommended daily intake they provide – what could be more straightforward than that?

The issue with synthetic vitamins is largely based on our lack of knowledge.  Science has not identified all required nutrients and certainly not all of the functions they may perform.  With all of the study on human requirements, scientists openly admit we don’t know the half of it.  If they haven’t determined what humans need and how they can get it, what do you think the chances are of them knowing what individual animal species require, or how it is best obtained and utilized?  Those who say there is no difference between synthetic and natural vitamins are basing that opinion on what we know, while admitting that there is much we do not know.

A balanced diet is best for all living things.  Nutrients derived from fresh, whole foods offer a more complete, bio-available profile with minimal processing degradation.  The same applies to vitamin and mineral supplements for pets – the nutrients should be obtained from natural sources with as little processing as possible. There are natural mixed supplements on the market derived from real, whole food.  The fresh, whole source of those nutrients would be better, but a natural supplement is still preferred over a synthetic supplement, in my opinion.

Synthetic vitamins and minerals are fractions.  They’re one part of a group of compounds that makes up a whole nutrient.  These compounds may influence each other or work together in ways we don’t yet understand.  As a fraction, they may be of little value or even cause harm to our pets.

For example, you may have read ‘Mixed Tocopherols’ on pet food packaging, while others may just say ‘Vitamin E’.  Vitamin E as a synthetic supplement is typically only alpha tocopherol, but that’s just a fraction of the many tocopherols that make up Vitamin E, some of which are even better for our pets than alpha tocopherol. Natural mixed tocopherols offer a blend of the Vitamin E complex as opposed to one part, making it a much more complete supplement.  Most synthetic vitamin and mineral supplements have a similar story, and come with studies that prove they can be harmful where their whole counterparts are beneficial.

I was once informed by a doctor that synthetics are preferred because we can pack huge amounts into a tiny pill.  I replied that perhaps we wouldn’t require huge amounts if we were ingesting the nutrient in it’s natural, bio-available form, allowing it to work with a complete balance of components in an optimum and efficient manner.  He agreed, but said price and convenience would always trump truth and logic. Unfortunately, he had a point there.

In our house, we have moved away from the traditional view of supplementation, instead viewing the diet as a whole.  We determined what rich, natural source(s) of the nutrient in question can be incorporated into the diet.  That’s how we discovered seaweed, calcium montmorillonite clay and krill for our pets.  The results were so impressive, we started using natural, whole supplements for the family humans too.  You’d be amazed at how much seaweed I can sneak into spaghetti sauce ;-).

We’ll be further exploring natural sources of specific vitamins and minerals for holistic pet care here on the All Natural Pet Care Blog.  In the meantime, remember that naturally-sourced nutrients and whole-complex natural supplements will always be best, and you’ll be well on your way to a healthier pet.

Do you give your pets supplements?

Sources:
Messonnier, Shawn D.V.M. The Natural Health Bible for Dogs and Cats
Balch, Phyllis. Prescription for Nutritional Healing