Whole Food Plant-Based Supplements: A Healthier Alternative to Synthetic Supplements.

With so many options available, how do you choose the best whole food supplements for your needs and preferences? To help you out, we’ve researched and compiled a list of some of the best whole food supplements on the market, according to ratings, customer reviews, and diversity of plant ingredients. These products are also vegan-friendly, gluten-free, soy-free, and third-party tested for quality and safety.

Here are some of the best whole food supplements on the market that you can try today:

• The Supplements Studio Whole Food Multivitamin Plus: This product contains 23 essential vitamins and minerals from organic fruits and vegetables, plus probiotics, enzymes, omega-3s, and antioxidants. It also has a patented blend of turmeric, ginger, and black pepper for enhanced absorption and anti-inflammatory benefits.
  
  
• Vegan Complete Multivitamin by Hippo7: This product is specially formulated for vegans who may be deficient in certain nutrients that are hard to get from plant sources alone, such as vitamin B12, vitamin D3, iron, iodine, zinc, and calcium. It also contains vegan omega-3s from algae oil and antioxidants from superfoods such as spirulina, chlorella, acai berry, and goji berry.
  
  
• Terraseed: This product is a unique plant-based protein powder that also doubles as a multivitamin. It contains 20 grams of protein per serving from organic pea protein and organic hemp protein, plus 21 vitamins and minerals from organic fruits and vegetables. It also has prebiotics and probiotics for gut health and digestive enzymes for better nutrient absorption.
  
  
• Deva Vegan Daily Multivitamin: This product is a simple and affordable option for vegans who want to cover their basic nutritional needs. It contains 100% of the daily value of most vitamins and minerals, plus green whole foods such as spirulina, chlorella, barley grass, alfalfa leaf, and oat straw.

In the rest of this article, we’ll explain what whole food supplements are, how they differ from synthetic supplements, why they are a healthier alternative, and how to choose quality products. We’ll also discuss some key nutrients that you can get from whole food supplements, how to incorporate them into your daily routine, and more.

Content

• Understanding Whole Food Plant-Based Supplements
• Key Nutrients in Whole Food Plant-Based Supplements
• Choosing Quality Whole Food Plant-Based Supplements
• Incorporating Whole Food Plant-Based Supplements into Your Routine
• Conclusion

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Understanding Whole Food Plant-Based Supplements

Whole food plant-based supplements are supplements that are derived from whole plant foods, such as fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices. They are minimally processed and retain the natural balance of vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, antioxidants, enzymes, and fiber that are found in the original food source.

Synthetic supplements, on the other hand, are supplements that are made from isolated or synthetic compounds that are chemically produced in a lab. They often contain high doses of single nutrients or combinations of nutrients that are not found in nature. They may also contain fillers, binders, preservatives, artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners.

The main difference between whole food plant-based supplements and synthetic supplements is the way they interact with your body. Whole food plant-based supplements are more bioavailable, meaning they are more easily absorbed and utilized by your cells. They also work synergistically with other nutrients and compounds in the food matrix, enhancing their effectiveness and preventing imbalances.

Synthetic supplements, on the other hand, are less bioavailable, meaning they are less efficiently absorbed and utilized by your cells. They may also interfere with the absorption of other nutrients or cause adverse reactions with other medications or supplements. They can also create nutrient imbalances or toxicity if taken in excess or for prolonged periods.

Key Nutrients in Whole Food Plant-Based Supplements

There are many nutrients that you can get from whole food plant-based supplements that can support your immune health and overall well-being. Here are some of the most important ones:

• Vitamin C

  Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that protects your cells from oxidative stress and free radical damage. It also supports the production and function of white blood cells, which are essential for fighting infections and diseases. Vitamin C also helps to regenerate other antioxidants in your body, such as vitamin E and glutathione.
  
  While you can get vitamin C from many fruits and vegetables, such as citrus fruits, berries, kiwis, peppers, broccoli, and kale, you may benefit from supplementing with whole food plant-based sources of vitamin C. These include acerola cherry, camu camu berry, rose hips, amla berry, baobab fruit, and moringa leaf. These foods contain not only vitamin C but also other phytochemicals and antioxidants that enhance its bioavailability and effectiveness.
  
  
  

• Vitamin D

  Vitamin D is a hormone-like nutrient that regulates many aspects of your immune system. It helps to modulate the inflammatory response and prevent autoimmune disorders. It also enhances the activity of natural killer cells and macrophages, which are responsible for killing pathogens and clearing debris. Vitamin D also supports the production of antimicrobial peptides that fight against bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
  
  While you can get vitamin D from exposure to sunlight or from some animal foods such as fatty fish or eggs,
  you may not get enough vitamin D from these sources alone. Many people are deficient in vitamin D due to factors such as lack of sun exposure,use of sunscreen, skin color, age, obesity, or malabsorption.
  
  That's why supplementing with whole food plant-based sources of vitamin D can be beneficial for your immune health. These include mushrooms (especially those exposed to UV light), lichen (a symbiotic organism composed of algae and fungi), algae (such as chlorella or spirulina), or fortified plant milks (such as soy milk or almond milk).
  
  
  

• Omega-3 Fatty Acids

  Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fats that have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. They help to balance the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fats in your body,which is important for preventing chronic inflammation and autoimmune diseases. They also support the function of various immune cells, such as T cells, B cells, and dendritic cells. 
  
  Omega-3 fatty acids also help to maintain the integrity of your cell membranes, which are crucial for the communication and signaling of your immune system. While you can get omega-3 fatty acids from some plant foods such as flax seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, walnuts, or leafy greens, you may not get enough of the most beneficial types of omega-3s, namely EPA and DHA.
  
  These are mainly found in fish and seafood, which may not be suitable for vegans or vegetarians. That's why supplementing with whole food plant-based sources of omega-3s can be helpful for your immune health. These include algae oil (which contains both EPA and DHA), flaxseed oil (which contains ALA, a precursor of EPA and DHA), or hemp seed oil (which contains a balanced ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fats).
  
  
  

• Antioxidants

  Antioxidants are compounds that protect your cells from oxidative stress and free radical damage. Oxidative stress is a condition that occurs when there is an imbalance between the production and elimination of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in your body. ROS are molecules that have an unpaired electron, making them highly unstable and reactive. They can damage your DNA, proteins, lipids, and other cellular components, leading to inflammation, aging, and disease.
  
  Antioxidants can neutralize ROS by donating an electron to them, restoring their stability and preventing further damage. Antioxidants also help to regenerate other antioxidants in your body, creating a network of protection. Antioxidants also modulate the immune response by regulating the expression of genes and proteins involved in inflammation and immunity.
  
  You can get antioxidants from a variety of plant foods, such as berries, grapes, cherries, pomegranates, apples, carrots, tomatoes, spinach, kale, broccoli, turmeric, ginger, garlic, cinnamon, cloves, and many more. However, you may benefit from supplementing with whole food plant-based sources of antioxidants that have higher concentrations and bioavailability. These include green tea extract (which contains EGCG), grape seed extract (which contains proanthocyanidins), curcumin (which is the active ingredient in turmeric), resveratrol (which is found in red wine and grapes), quercetin (which is found in apples and onions), or astaxanthin (which is a carotenoid found in algae).

Choosing Quality Whole Food Plant-Based Supplements

Not all whole food plant-based supplements are created equal. Some may contain low-quality ingredients, additives, contaminants, or allergens. Some may also have misleading labels or claims that are not backed by scientific evidence.

To ensure that you choose quality whole food plant-based supplements that are safe and effective for your immune health, here are some tips to follow:

• Read the label carefully and look for the ingredients list, the amount of each ingredient per serving, the serving size, and the suggested use.
  
  
• Choose supplements that contain organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, and vegan ingredients whenever possible.
  
  
• Avoid supplements that contain fillers, binders, preservatives, artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners.
  
  
• Look for supplements that have third-party certifications or seals of approval from reputable organizations such as USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, Vegan Action, or NSF International.
  
  
• Check the expiration date and storage instructions of the supplements and follow them accordingly.
  
  
• Do some research on the company that produces the supplements and their reputation, quality standards, and customer reviews.
  
  
• Consult your doctor before taking any supplements if you have any medical conditions or are taking any medications or other supplements.

Incorporating Whole Food Plant-Based Supplements into Your Routine

Once you have chosen quality whole food plant-based supplements that suit your needs and preferences, you can incorporate them into your daily routine to boost your immune health and overall well-being. Here are some suggestions for incorporating whole food plant-based supplements into your routine:

• Take your supplements with a glass of water or a plant-based beverage such as almond milk or coconut water.
  
  
• Take your supplements with or after a meal to enhance their absorption and prevent stomach upset.
  
  
• Follow the dosage recommendations on the label or as advised by your doctor.
  
  
• Do not exceed the recommended dosage or take more than one supplement at a time unless instructed by your doctor.
  
  
• Monitor your response to the supplements and adjust accordingly.
  
  
• Discontinue use if you experience any adverse effects or allergic reactions and seek medical attention if needed.

Conclusion

Whole food plant-based supplements are a healthier alternative to synthetic supplements for boosting your immune health and overall well-being. They are more natural, more effective, and more sustainable than synthetic supplements. They provide a range of nutrients that support various aspects of your immune system, such as vitamin C, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants. They also have higher bioavailability and synergistic effects than synthetic supplements.

However, not all whole food plant-based supplements are equal. You need to choose quality products that contain organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, and vegan ingredients whenever possible.