A Natural Diet vs. Supplements | Which One is Better for Health

There are a lot of commercials nowadays on dietary supplements. Each of these commercials made a lot of promises to the consumers such as quick weight loss, money-back guarantee and many more. In reality, some of the promises in these commercials are empty claims. Unfortunately, many people believe them and they consume more of dietary supplement instead of natural diet. Before you abandon naturally produced foods in preference to chemically produced supplements, it is important that you know more about the pros and cons of both organic dietand dietary supplements. This will enable you to make an informed decision.

Foods that are produced following a natural process without the inclusion of any bio-engineering process or chemicals are known as natural foods. This type of food is also known as organic diet. All the nutrients and substances in these foods are naturally available in them. This is the major difference between natural diet and processed dietary supplement. Dietary supplements are made with synthetic chemical compounds. Some of them may contain organic nutrients but chemicals are added to boost their nutrient contents and for preservative purpose.

Dietary supplements are available in many forms such as capsules, gel tabs, pills, extracts, tinctures, liquids and powders. They give quicker results than paleo diet. However, they have higher negative side effects. The quick fitness outcome they give may be regarded as a mirage. Some dietary supplements can cause serious illness. This is why FDA has banned some of them. A typical example of such supplement is androstenedione. Even though, androstenedione can improve athletic performance and increase the level of testosterone in the body, it can lead to impotence and breast development in men, blood clots and liver disease.

Paleo dietlike game meat, vegetables, nuts, eggs, wild fruits, fish and many more are rich in fat, vitamins, minerals, protein and carbohydrates. They have little or no side effects. Some of them are highly medicinal and improve the immune system of the body. Some fruits contain anti-cancer substances. Today, dieticians and physicians recommend the consumption of organic diet as a lifestyle and not just for achieving a specific fitness goal.

Consuming paleo diet is living in harmony with nature. Our genes are naturally adapted to be nourished by them. But chemically produced supplements are alien to our genes. This is why they cause metabolic syndrome such as diabetes, coronary disease, obesity, Alzheimer, auto-immune diseases and many more. 

A naturally produced food contains different phytonutrients in varying degree. Some may be there to balance or neutralize the effects of others while others prepare the ground for the action of others. But most dietary supplements contain a higher amount of one nutrient. In addition, this nutrient may not be bio-identically with its natural type. Consuming one nutrient in large amount may have some terrible health consequences.

In summary, you may achieve your specific fitness goal quickly by consuming dietary supplement. However, consuming natural foods gives you more health benefits. You will also achieve your fitness goal by eating natural diet even though it may take time before it is achieved.