Vitamin Expiration Date: All vitamins lose their potency and effectiveness over time, but certain environments accelerate this process.
Vitamins are substances that the body needs for its normal functioning. In most cases, it is possible to get all vitamins through food, however, sometimes the use of supplements becomes unavoidable.
Supplements contain various vitamins, minerals, herbs and many other products. Vitamin products are offered as a single vitamin or a combination of 13 essential vitamins for the body, but in multivitamins, vitamins are usually provided along with minerals and other beneficial compounds for human health.
Vitamin Expiration Date, But do vitamin supplements have an expiration date? Verywell Health answers this question in a report.
Vitamin Expiration Date
Does Vitamins Have Expire Date?
Vitamin Expiration Date, Technically the answer is yes.
Of course, the United States Food and Drug Administration does not require an expiration date on vitamin supplement packages, but some manufacturers do include an expiration date on the package.
The expiration date on the supplement package guarantees that the product has full efficacy and safety within the stated period. Manufacturers must provide evidence that shows that 100% durability of the quality and effectiveness of the supplements has been tested during the mentioned period of time.
Vitamin Expiration Date, Manufacturers generally declare the shelf life of supplements for two years, provided that the vitamins are kept in their original packaging and in optimal conditions.
A certain amount of vitamins is needed to maintain health and prevent diseases. Vitamins are used as supplements to compensate for nutritional deficiencies caused by certain food preferences, allergies, or to compensate for not eating enough. Paying attention to the expiration date ensures that you have received the correct dose of the listed nutrients.
Vitamin Expiration Date
Factors Affecting Shelf Life
Vitamin Expiration Date, Vitamins lose their potency and effectiveness over time, but some environmental factors can accelerate this process.
There are many factors that affect the shelf life of supplements, some of which are controllable, but some are already in effect before these products reach your grocery store shelf.
Part of the effectiveness of vitamins is lost in the production process, and their improper maintenance and storage, either in the production stage, in the store or at home, can reduce the shelf life of these nutrients.
Vitamin Expiration Date, Exposure of these supplements to oxygen, light, humidity and temperature reduces their useful life, but temperature is one of the most important factors.
Vitamins stored at 25°C lose less nutrients than vitamins stored at higher temperatures. The results of a study showed that storing vitamin D liquid supplements at a temperature of 25 degrees compared to a temperature of 40 degrees preserves its effectiveness more.
The type and form of the vitamin also affects its shelf life.
Vitamin Expiration Date, Fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin A and vitamin E are more sensitive to light and oxygen and break down faster in these conditions. The shelf life of water-soluble vitamins such as group B vitamins and vitamin C depends on the type of vitamin and storage conditions. For example, vitamin B1 loses its strength and stability when the pH level increases. Vitamin C is more sensitive to oxygen, light, heat, as well as temperature and storage time.
Vitamins in solid form such as pills, powders, and capsules last longer than liquid vitamins. Chewable products and vitamin pills are more stable than liquids, but they break down faster than supplement capsules.
Liquid vitamin products are much more difficult to store and are more prone to losing their properties.
Vitamin Expiration Date, Recommendations for shelf life of opened liquid vitamins vary, and many manufacturers do not provide a time frame for consuming the vitamin after opening. However, opened liquid vitamins should be used within one year. This period is 10 months for children and babies.
Is It Safe To Use Expired Vitamins?
Vitamin Expiration Date, There is limited evidence to show that taking expired vitamins is harmful. Of course, some vitamins can become moldy and taking moldy vitamins is definitely harmful.
Consuming expired vitamins may be safe, but they will not be as effective and efficient, and their effectiveness will decrease as these supplements expire. Therefore, it is better to leave the vitamins that have expired and go for new products.
Vitamin Expiration Date, The true effectiveness of supplements can only be determined in labs, but there are some things you can keep in mind. Check the appearance and smell of the vitamin before taking it, especially if it is close to or after the expiration date.
Discoloration of supplements, cracks or other textural changes means that the product has expired. Liquid vitamins may also smell bad, change color, or form bubbles. Feel free to discard any vitamins that have changed in smell or appearance.
To store vitamin supplements, store them in a dry and cool place away from light. According to studies, medicines that are properly stored in a dry, cool, dark place are 90% effective for five years or more after the expiration date.
Placing vitamins against light and in a humid environment also reduces the effectiveness of vitamins. To prevent exposure to oxygen, store vitamins in a closed container and refrigerate liquid vitamins.
Also Read:
The 6 Symptoms Of Vitamin B12 Deficiency That You Should Know
The 6 Simple Ways To Increase The Absorption Of Vitamins In The Body
What Is Vitamin A? The 7 Best Benefits Of Vitamin A For The Body
