Multivitamins come with an expiration date, but what happens if one takes them even after this expiration date has passed?
Taking Expired Multivitamins
According to Catherine Gervacio, RND, a certified exercise nutrition coach and registered nutritionist-dietitian from EHProject, the shelf life of multivitamin supplements may vary. However, it could take two to three years for unopened products to reach their expiration date. Once multivitamins are opened, it is ideal for them to be consumed within six months.
Unlike milk or meat, supplements do not go back. However, when they sit around for a longer period, their positive effects decrease. A study discovered that multivitamins were able to stay potent for two years post-manufacturing.
However, this does not mean that multivitamins become harmful. They just become weaker and less potent. With this, any serious harm risk is low.
Nevertheless, it is not advised to take multivitamins that have expired due to their decreased potency, Gervacio notes. Because of this, these multivitamins may not offer the benefits that they were supposed to contribute to one's health. When it comes to safety, these vitamins do not spoil or rot like food, so they do not generally lead to harm.
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Expired Multivitamin Side Effects
As mentioned earlier, the risk that comes with prolonged periods of unuse is related to potency and diminished nutritional benefits. With this, there are generally no known side effects of expired multivitamins. The main concern is whether they are still effective and potent.
However, concerns may surface if an individual is unaware of the expiration of their supplements. This person may think that they are taking in more nutrients than they are actually consuming.
For instance, an individual adhering to a vegan diet may require a vitamin B-12 supplement in order to stay healthy. If this person takes an expired supplement, this may mean that the person is not getting sufficient amounts of the vitamin.
Generally, if one depends on a supplement to cater to a diet gap, it is crucial for this person to monitor the expiration date of the supplement.
Storing Multivitamins
In order to maximize the shelf life of these supplements, it is recommended to keep them in their original containers and in a cool, dry place that is away from sunlight. To reduce the risk of moisture and heat impacting the multivitamins, storing them in the bathroom or kitchen may not be a good idea.
However, different vitamins may have different storage recommendations. Hence, it is important to pay attention to these instructions.
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