Synthetic Vitamin List: Why Most Supplements Are Just Drugs
If you’re taking vitamins A, B, C, D, or E, there’s a high likelihood they’re made in one of a few pharmaceutical labs. Yes—98% of these vitamins are synthetic, processed, and nearly identical to pharmaceutical drugs. These over-the-counter compounds are designed for short-term use. The long-term effects have not been adequately studied. However, existing research has shown links between synthetic supplement use and increased disease risk—for example, synthetic vitamin E and A have been associated with increased rates of lung cancer, despite the fact that natural sources of these same nutrients are protective against it.
Synthetic and Petroleum-Based Forms Commonly Found in Supplements
- Vitamin A: A Palmitate, A Acetate
- Vitamin B: Thiamine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Niacin/Nicotinic Acid, Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Cyanocobalamin, Hydroxocobalamin, Aminobenzoic Acid, Choline Chloride/Bitartrate, d-Biotin
- Folic Acid: Folic Acid, Pteroylglutamic Acid
- Vitamin C: Ascorbic Acid, Calcium Ascorbate, Sodium Ascorbate
- Vitamin D: D3, D2, Calciferol, Irradiated Ergosterol
- Vitamin E: Acetate, Succinate, DL-Alpha Tocopherol
Note: Words ending in “-ide,” “-ate,” or beginning with “dl-” are typically synthetic.
The Irony of Synthetic Supplements
Many synthetic vitamins deplete the very nutrients they claim to support:
- Vitamin B6 depletes other B vitamins.
- Vitamin E depletes selenium.
- Zinc depletes copper.
- Vitamin A depletes cofactors needed for E and D assimilation.
These nutrients are often added to processed foods, leading to excess consumption of synthetic versions without addressing the real issue: malabsorption and depletion due to poor diet, alcohol, stress, or digestive dysfunction.
The Real Problem: Absorption and Depletion
Most vitamin deficiencies are not due to lack of intake, but rather due to:
- Malabsorption (from liver, gallbladder, or pancreas issues)
- Depletion (from processed foods, drugs, alcohol, or stress)
- Chronic use of synthetic supplements
Minerals are often more deficient than vitamins, even in people with relatively good diets. Sporadic supplementation may be useful, but the focus should be on restoring function and improving food quality.
Functional Vitamin Overview
Vitamin A
- Look at: Gallbladder function, fat absorption
- Use for: Sinus congestion, night blindness, lymphatic stagnation
- Solution: Digestive enzymes, bile salts—not synthetic retinol
Vitamin B Complex
- Look at: Sugar, stress, adrenal exhaustion
- Symptoms vary depending on water- vs. fat-soluble deficiency
- Avoid: Synthetic B-complex pills
- Solution: Fermented foods, brewer’s yeast
Vitamin B12
- Look at: Alcohol use, low stomach acid
- Solution: Methylated B12 only; avoid cyanocobalamin
- Note: Don’t use B12 injections longer than 6 months unless medically necessary
Vitamin C
- Look at: Stress, poor collagen synthesis (joint popping, bleeding gums)
- Avoid: Ascorbic acid alone
- Use: Whole-food forms—rose hips, acerola, camu camu
Vitamin D
- Look at: Liver and kidney health
- Avoid: Isolated D supplements without co-factors
- Use: Whole foods, sunlight, cod liver oil (Blue Ice)
Vitamin E
- Look at: Gallbladder and fat digestion
- Use: Green vegetables, wheat germ oil
- Avoid: Synthetic E (DL-alpha)
Vitamin F, K, P
Essential fatty acids, clotting support, and flavonoids. Best sources: Leafy greens, buckwheat, olive oil, avocado, fermented butter.
Zinc & Iodine
- Look at: Digestive strength and stress
- Fix digestion first before supplementing
- Zinc without copper leads to imbalance
Magnesium & Calcium
- Use: Chelated magnesium only (no oxide); ionic calcium (no carbonate or citrate)
- Both are depleted by stress, drugs, and synthetic vitamin use
Whole-Food Sources
- Vitamin A: Liver, raw butter, carrots, cod
- Vitamin B: Fermented foods, brewer’s yeast
- Vitamin C: Strawberries, spinach, bell peppers
- Vitamin D: Mushrooms, fish, sunlight
- Vitamin E: Leafy greens, avocado, nuts
- Vitamin K: Spinach, parsley, kale
Final Thoughts
Don’t fall for the marketing of synthetic vitamins as “natural health.” They are chemically derived, often petroleum-based drugs. Address digestion, diet, stress, and absorption first. Whole foods, targeted enzymes, and occasional mineral supplementation restore balance far more effectively than synthetic pills.
Mark Colafranceschi, D.C. • Licensed Chiropractic Physician – Arizona License #009154 • Scottsdale, Arizona