Living a healthy life is important to many people, which is why such health-conscious people get enough sleep, water, and exercise, and eat a healthy, balanced diet. It’s also why many of those same people take supplements to ensure their body is getting all the nutrients it needs to be healthy and protected against illness and inflammation. It’s common knowledge that not all supplements are alike, so becoming a label-reader is important to get the most out of the supplements you’re buying. In addition to looking at ingredients, should you look at indicators such as made in the USA, manufactured to cGMP standards or organic certified? Specifically, does your supplement have to be USDA Organic Certified? Let’s take a closer look.
What does USDA Organic Certified Mean?
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, USDA organic products have strict production and labeling requirements. Organic products must meet the following requirements:
- Produced without excluded methods, (e.g., genetic engineering, ionizing radiation, or sewage sludge).
- Produced using allowed substances.
- Overseen by a USDA National Organic Program-authorized certifying agent, following all USDA organic regulations.
If a supplement has USDA organic certification you can rest assured it doesn’t contain genetically modified ingredients, was not produced using toxic pesticides or preservatives, and has never been irradiated. The US Department of Agriculture has one of the highest standards in the world for organic certification, allowing their Organic USDA seal to be used on products that contain 95-100% organic ingredients.
Are organic supplements superior?
Studies seem to indicate that yes, organic supplements are better for you. Here are a few reasons why:
- A 2002 study concluded that neither synthetic or partially synthetic nutrients could match real nutrients in absorption, retention and utilization by the body (also known as bioavailability).
- Food is complex and contains dozens of micronutrients, cofactors, enzymes and phytonutrients that work together. In food, vitamins are in the form of enzymes or coenzymes. Changes to these natural structures destroys the nutritious effect that these nutrients have in our body.
- Taking isolated nutrients can cause dangerous imbalances in the body. “Too much” of one nutrient can seriously affect values of others.
Not all supplements are created equal. Unlike synthetic supplements, which can contain chemical compounds that don’t naturally occur in nature, organic supplements are free of pesticides, insecticides and other toxic ingredients. They’re better for the body!
How hard is it for supplements to be USDA Organic Certified?
While it definitely appears that USDA Organic Certified supplements are better for you, just how hard is it to get certified? As it turns out, it’s pretty difficult, which is a good thing for consumers! The USDA website states these five steps for certification:
- The farm or business adopts organic practices, selects a USDA-accredited certifying agent, and submits an application and fees to the certifying agent.
- The certifying agent reviews the application to verify that practices comply with USDA organic regulations.
- An inspector conducts an on-site inspection of the applicant’s operation.
- The certifying agent reviews the application and the inspector’s report to determine if the applicant complies with the USDA organic regulations.
- The certifying agent issues organic certificate.
Does your supplement have to be certified? No, but if you’re looking for a superior product that you know is in its purest form and meets stringent standards, a USDA Organic certified supplement is a good bet. All natural, organic supplements such as Future Pharm’s Turmeric Liposome Complex will help you live a healthier life by providing you protection against inflammation. If you’re looking to protect your health, why not take the best?
