Are synthetic vitamins identical to natural vitamins from food?
Yes and no. With synthetic vitamins, the molecular structure of the vitamin is the same as that of the natural vitamin as far as science knows today, but that isnt the whole story. Natural vitamins from food sources contain cofactors without which the vitamin does not work as it should. For example, a molecule of synthetic ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is identical to a molecule of natural ascorbic acid. However, the natural ascorbic acid has co-factors called bioflavonoids. In addition, vitamin C, a mineral chelator, grabs hold of minerals and metals on its journey through the body. If you take pure ascorbic acid, especially in large doses, it may deplete the body of essential minerals, especially copper. Food which naturally contains vitamin C usually contains some copper to offset this. If you are taking vitamin C supplements, copper and lysine should also be taken. The copper and lysine form copper lysinate, a chelated compound that is resistant to removal by vitamin C. Large doses (1-
