Are Standard Process Supplements Synthetic? The Truth About Their Whole-Food Philosophy

October 31, 2025 •

3 min read

While many assume all nutritional supplements are the same, Standard Process has openly stated that while their products are primarily whole-food based, they do selectively add some synthetic ingredients. This practice is used to protect the formula's synergistic design, a key component of their manufacturing process.

Quick Summary

Standard Process primarily uses whole-food ingredients, many from its own organic farm, to create its supplements. The company selectively incorporates synthetic ingredients when necessary to enhance the formula's stability and efficacy, aligning with its whole-food philosophy.

Key Points

Whole-Food Core: Standard Process supplements are primarily based on a whole-food philosophy, concentrating nutrients from real, minimally processed foods.
Selective Synthetic Use: The company confirms using some synthetic ingredients selectively, not as primary components, but to protect the formula's integrity and synergistic design.
Organic Farming: A significant portion of their plant ingredients is grown on their own certified organic farm, ensuring control over ingredient quality from the source.
Low-Temperature Manufacturing: Specialized processing techniques like low-temperature vacuum drying are used to preserve the delicate nutritional integrity of whole-food ingredients.
Bioavailability Focus: Unlike isolated synthetics, the whole-food matrix in Standard Process supplements includes natural co-factors and enzymes, which enhances absorption by the body.
Transparency: The company has been transparent about its process, openly discussing the use of both whole-food concentrates and selective synthetic additions.

The Whole-Food Philosophy Behind Standard Process

Since its founding in 1929, Standard Process has built its reputation on a core whole-food philosophy pioneered by Dr. Royal Lee. This approach holds that nutrients are most potent and effective when derived from their natural food state, complete with all their naturally associated compounds, enzymes, and phytonutrients. The company argues that this holistic approach ensures a more balanced intake of essential vitamins and minerals compared to isolated, fractionated synthetic nutrients.

Central to this philosophy is their commitment to controlling the process from "seed to supplement". Standard Process operates its own certified organic farm, where it grows a significant portion of its plant ingredients, including alfalfa, beets, and Spanish black radish. This control allows them to cultivate nutrient-dense foods and process them using low-temperature vacuum drying to preserve their nutritional integrity.

The Surprising Addition of Synthetics

Despite their deep-rooted whole-food philosophy, Standard Process has acknowledged that they do use synthetic ingredients in some of their formulas. This may come as a surprise to some, but the company's reasoning is strategic. These synthetic components are not added to cut costs or mimic natural ingredients poorly. Instead, they are included selectively to serve a specific purpose: "to protect the complexity and synergistic design of the formula".

For example, some nutrients are highly sensitive and can degrade over time, potentially compromising the overall efficacy of the complex formula. Adding a more stable, synthetic form of a specific nutrient can ensure the product maintains its stated potency and remains effective throughout its shelf life. This measured and targeted use distinguishes their practice from brands that rely solely on cheap, isolated synthetic vitamins.

The Great Debate: Whole-Food vs. Synthetic

Understanding the distinction between whole-food and synthetic vitamins is critical to appreciating Standard Process's unique approach. Synthetic vitamins are chemically manufactured in a lab and often exist as isolated compounds. In contrast, whole-food supplements concentrate nutrients from real foods, preserving the complex matrix of co-factors and phytonutrients that enhance absorption and utilization.

Comparison Table: Whole-Food vs. Synthetic


Feature	Synthetic Supplements	Standard Process (Whole-Food Hybrid)
Nutrient Source	Lab-created chemicals, often derived from industrial processes.	Primarily concentrated, organically farmed whole foods.
Nutrient Profile	Isolated compounds (e.g., ascorbic acid for Vitamin C).	Full spectrum, including vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and phytonutrients.
Absorption/Bioavailability	Can be lower, as co-factors are missing.	Higher, thanks to naturally occurring co-factors.
Additive Use	May contain fillers, dyes, and other artificial ingredients.	Uses minimal processing and focuses on natural forms.
Synthetic Component	Constitutes the primary active ingredient.	Used selectively and purposefully to protect formula integrity.

The Standard Process Manufacturing Difference

Seed to Supplement: The company exercises an exceptional degree of control over its raw ingredients, from managing its organic farm to sourcing other high-quality materials globally.
Low-Temperature Processing: The use of specialized, low-temperature processing equipment is crucial for preserving the sensitive nutrients and enzymes within the raw food ingredients.
Rigorous Testing: Standard Process performs thousands of tests throughout the manufacturing process to ensure the quality, safety, and stated potency of their products.
Synergistic Formulas: The inclusion of selective synthetic ingredients is a deliberate choice, intended to protect the delicate balance of the whole-food complexes and ensure the formula performs as intended.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the question of whether Standard Process supplements are synthetic requires a nuanced answer. They are not purely synthetic like many conventional supplements, but they are not entirely free of synthetic components either. The company's transparency on this issue reveals a commitment to creating effective, stable formulas. For consumers, this means you are investing in a product that combines the natural, synergistic benefits of whole foods with the targeted stability and potency offered by selective, science-backed additions. This hybrid approach is a hallmark of their unique philosophy, aimed at delivering optimal nutrition to the body.

Where to Find More Information

For additional information directly from the source regarding their quality and processes, the Standard Process blog is a valuable resource. What are Whole Food Nutritional Supplements from Standard Process?

Frequently Asked Questions

No, according to Standard Process, while their supplements are founded on a whole-food philosophy, they do selectively add some synthetic ingredients to protect the formula's complexity and ensure its stability.

Standard Process uses synthetic ingredients selectively to protect the formula's integrity. Some nutrients are unstable and could degrade, so a small, stable synthetic addition ensures the formula remains potent and effective.

Standard Process is known for using minimal processing and avoiding many of the common fillers and artificial ingredients found in other synthetic supplements. Their use of synthetic components is targeted and strategic, not a reflection of low-quality ingredients.

Standard Process grows the majority of its plant ingredients on its own certified organic farm. For ingredients they do not grow themselves, they source from high-quality suppliers worldwide.

Scientific perspectives suggest that nutrients from whole food sources may be better absorbed and utilized by the body due to the presence of natural co-factors. Synthetic vitamins often lack these compounds, potentially leading to lower bioavailability.

Look at the ingredient label. Synthetic vitamins are often listed by their isolated chemical names (e.g., ascorbic acid), whereas whole-food based supplements will list the food sources (e.g., acerola cherry).

Standard Process operates a certified organic farm where it grows many of its ingredients and follows strict organic farming methods. However, the company's process also involves other ingredients and selective synthetic additions.