There is a subtle but crucial difference between synthetic supplements, organic vitamins and whole food supplements. Supplements and/or vitamins, neither synthetic no organic, were intended to be taken in isolation.

A great example of a whole food supplement is acerola cherry powder. The acerola cherry is a rich source of Vitamin C. Basically, the cherries are dried and crushed to create a powder which is mixed into water or juice. As far as your body is concerned you are eating handful of cherries which are full of Vitamin C!

Most of us know that the orange is a great food source of Vitamin C. The reason is that every other substance in the orange works synergistically with the Vitamin C in the body for maximum absorption. A plain Vitamin C tablet usually does not contain these other 'co-factors' which allow your body to reap maximum benefit.

Generally, if we are eating a well rounded diet of veggies, fruits, grains, legumes, dairy, eggs, and meats and avoiding white sugar, processed products and denatured foods then we should be getting all of the vitamins we need.

The reality is that most of us are not doing this and even if we were we would probably not be getting what we need. Why not?

First of all, all of us as individuals have unique nutritional requirements based on our genetics, lifestyle, diet and environmental stress. You may not believe it, but genetics plays an important role in how much of a particular vitamin you may or may not need. Even if you have a wonderful diet full of whole unprocessed foods...

much of the soil on our farmlands has been so depleted that what looks like spinach in 2008 probably bears little resemblance nutritionally to spinach from 1950.

The caveat to this, of course, is produce that is grown organically

In this modern era of focus on diet and nutrition...whole foods, organics and supplements have become buzz words. It is all at once easy to get hopelessly confused or to completely ignore the overload of information on the subject of vitamins both in food and in supplement form.

It can become overwhelming to over think your diet and nutrition but it is not something to be ignored. While we can live without enough of a certain vitamin for a while, in the long term a vitamin deficiency is a precursor to all sorts of health problems.

For example, Vitamin D deficiency is being linked to cancer, heart disease, susceptibility to colds and flus and a host of other problems. Most people who eat a typical American diet tend to be deficient somewhere.

Another factor that depletes our vitamin stores is stress, a.k.a. a lack of sleep, busy hectic lifestyle, lack of exercise and toxins in our homes and environment. So what about taking vitamins and supplements and even more important, why should you take an organic vitamin?

A high-quality, organic, vitamin supplement made from food can be a wonderful way to ensure that your body is getting what it needs.

Granted supplements are not a substitute for a quality diet rich in whole foods, they can be a wise addition to any diet.

A good quality organic vitamin or supplement has the power to help your body heal through an illness or simply to act as an insurance policy of sorts to prevent future illness.