We’ve all found a jar of supplements in a corner of the closet that has been gathering dust for a while. You wonder if they are still safe to swallow. Do they still have their magical powers after all this time or is it time to say goodbye? Let’s dive into the world of supplements and their shelf life to see if you can still take those old pills or if it’s time to clean up and buy a new bottle?
How long are supplements good for?
Most nutritional supplements have an expiration date of about 3 years. Still, the answer to this question somewhat depends on the type of supplement you have at home. In general, most supplements come with an expiration date, usually printed on the label or package. This date indicates until when the manufacturer guarantees that the product will retain its full potential and can be safely consumed.
In most cases, vitamins and minerals retain their potency long after their expiration date has passed. However, they can gradually lose some strength over time. Fatty acids, such as fish oil, are more susceptible to oxidation and can take on a foul taste and become less effective over time.
What happens after the expiration date?
The jars of supplements often have a ‘best before’ date. After the best before date, the quality of a dietary supplement can deteriorate, but in most cases it is still safe to take. Bottom Line: Supplements are still safe to consume after their expiration date. The risk of serious health problems is generally very low, so you don’t have to worry about getting sick. So there is some flexibility in that expiration date, but the effectiveness can decrease after a while.
Don’t forget to inspect the supplement yourself before you just put it in your mouth. If you notice any changes in the color, smell, or texture, it’s probably best to throw the jar away.
Be careful, because you should not just take more supplements than the recommended daily amount. Taking (additional) supplements at random can in some cases do more harm than good. This is what you need to know about it. Moreover, if you eat normally you will not quickly get a vitamin deficiency. Still afraid that you have a shortage? These are the symptoms of a vitamin B deficiency, vitamin D deficiency, vitamin E deficiency, zinc deficiency, calcium deficiency or magnesium deficiency.
Store supplements properly
If you store your supplements properly and safely, they will most likely last a lot longer. Vitamins can oxidize and spoil at some point. Whether that happens depends, among other things, on how well the supplements are stored. These tips can help you with that:
Store them properly. That is to say: in a dark, cool and dry place. Moisture, heat and direct sunlight can affect the quality. Storing vitamins in a kitchen cupboard is fine, but above or around the stove has a negative effect on the effect because of the heat. The bathroom is also not a good option because of the humidity. Please note: some supplements must be kept well cooled, such as fish oil, linseed, vitamin A and probiotics. Therefore, always read the information on the bottle or the leaflet. Always close the packaging properly, so keep the current lids or caps and make sure that the jars are always tightly closed. This way you can minimize exposure to air. Buy small amounts to make sure you finish the supplements. There’s no point in having a huge supply if you don’t take it often enough. So don’t always fall for all the actions. Is there no expiration date on it? Then write the date of purchase on the packaging.
Bron: Healthline, Information center nutritional supplements and health, Fidelity
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2023-07-27 13:56:38
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