
There are a number of impressive benefits to high-quality liquid vitamins. These include easier nutrient absorption, better supplement plan compliance, and the ability to reach higher doses of certain herbs and nutrients.
Because of their sensitivity to bacterial growth, liquid vitamins require preservatives—usually alcohol, but also rosemary oil and citric acid. Here are five things you need to know about these supplements.
1. They’re Easy to Swallow
For anyone who has difficulty swallowing pills or capsules, liquid vitamins are a great option. Pill aversion is actually quite common, and it can cause real health problems such as dry mouth, constricted throat muscles, choking and even aspiration. Liquid vitamin supplements are much easier to swallow and can be taken in a variety of ways, such as mixed with a beverage or sublingually. They can also be easily administered to small children, elderly adults and people who suffer from swallowing difficulties due to chronic illness or age.
Unlike pills, which require your digestive system to break down the additives and coatings before you can get to the micronutrients inside, liquid vitamins skip this process altogether. This is a good thing for your body, because it means that your supplements are more readily available for absorption at the point of ingestion.
This also makes them easier to digest and more likely to be absorbed properly. This is why liquid vitamins are more effective than pills, and they’re particularly suitable for people who have malabsorption issues as a result of digestive surgery, antibiotics, gastrointestinal conditions or lactose intolerance.
Another benefit of liquid vitamins is that they tend to have fewer additives, which can be harmful to your digestive tract and can interfere with nutrient bioavailability. This is why it’s important to choose a high-quality liquid vitamin that’s free of sugar, saccharin, aspartame, acesulfame and sucralose – these sweeteners are harmful to gut bacteria and can lead to diabetes and blood sugar imbalances. Instead, look for natural sweeteners like stevia and lo han fruit that are safer for your health. You may also want to choose a supplement that uses safe preservatives, such as alcohol and rosemary oil.
2. They’re More Bioavailable
Liquid vitamins are more bioavailable to the body than their pill counterparts. This is because they don’t require the digestive system to break them down before they’re absorbed. Instead, they start to work at the cellular level almost immediately after being ingested. In the case of vitamin D, this can be a significant advantage as it can help to increase bone density.
Additionally, liquids don’t come with the same binders and filler agents that are typically included in pill supplements. These additives might be necessary for keeping pills in a stable form on the shelf, but they also reduce the amount of nutrient that’s actually absorbed by the body. This can be a problem for people who are taking high doses of vitamins, which could lead to toxic buildup in the body.
Another benefit of liquids is that they are less likely to irritate the stomach. This is especially true for children and adults who have trouble swallowing hard tablets or capsules due to a medical condition or sensitivity. Liquids are also ideal for individuals who have difficulty digesting food, such as those who have had gastric bypass surgery.
However, there’s a caveat to this: liquid supplements can be more difficult to control the dosage with, as it’s easier for people to overdose on them than to overdose on pills. For this reason, it’s important to only use a liquid product recommended by your functional medicine practitioner and to use a dose-measuring device, such as a dropper, to ensure that you are getting exactly the right amount of vitamins every time. This is even more important if you’re sharing a supplement with a family member and need to be more exact about their doses.
3. They’re Safer
Liquid vitamins are safer to take than pills and capsules. Pills are often prone to being crushed or contaminated during handling and storage, while liquids are typically less prone to this issue. This also means that they don’t require the added stabilizing agents found in pill and capsule supplements, which can cause gastrointestinal issues in certain people.
Additionally, liquids can be easier to swallow for those with difficulty swallowing pills or other capsule or tablet form supplements. This can be particularly beneficial for young children, elderly adults, and those who have conditions such as dysphagia that make it challenging to swallow solids.
Since they are pre-dissolved, liquid supplements are absorbed more quickly and efficiently by the body. This can be especially important for individuals with a variety of health needs, who may need to up their vitamin intake to a higher level than what’s possible with a standard pill or tablet supplement.
As with other dietary supplements, it’s always best to talk with your primary care physician before taking any new supplement. They can help you determine which type of multivitamin is best for your individual needs.
When choosing a liquid multivitamin, look for one that is additive-free. This will prevent you from ingesting unnecessary substances such as sugars, artificial flavors, and other fillers. You’ll also want to pay attention to the expiration date, as liquid formulas are more prone to degradation due to their inherent vulnerability to heat and moisture than pill formulations. This is why it’s always a good idea to choose a reputable company that performs third-party testing on all their products to ensure quality, safety, and efficacy. Ideally, they’ll use natural, non-toxic preservatives such as alcohol or rosemary extract.
4. They’re More Portable
Liquid vitamins have the advantage of being easily portable. Unlike tablets, capsules, and gummies that require a separate container for transportation, liquids can be stored in a small bottle of water or in a shaker cup with a lid. They are easy to carry to work, the gym, or any other place where you might need a dose of nutrients.
This convenience is especially important for people who may have a health condition or nutritional requirement that necessitates taking vitamin supplements on the go. It is difficult to take a full pill or tablet on the go, and there’s always the risk of it getting stuck in your throat or obstructing your airways, which can be dangerous for children or adults with gastrointestinal issues.
Another benefit of liquid supplements is that they are easier to swallow than pills or capsules. This can be particularly beneficial for children and elderly adults who have difficulty with swallowing. It can also help those with a health condition such as dysphagia to absorb the nutrients they need.
Moreover, liquids often have a smoother taste than pills or tablets. This is because they typically do not need as much artificial ingredients to mask their unpleasant flavor. However, be sure to choose a natural liquid supplement that doesn’t contain unnecessary additives.
In addition, liquids are also more flexible in terms of their dosage capacity. They can be poured directly into drinks, and they can be measured using a dropper or syringe for more precise dosing. This is ideal for individuals who need a high dose of a certain vitamin, have unique health requirements, or are titrating their dosage based on the advice of a healthcare professional.
5. They’re More Expensive
Liquid vitamins have a lower shelf life than pills, which means they must be stored properly and may need to be replaced more frequently. This additional cost can make liquid vitamins more expensive compared to their pill counterparts.
Another factor that can affect the cost of liquid vitamins is their preservatives. Since they are more susceptible to bacterial growth than pills, liquid supplements often contain added preservatives to maintain their stability and prevent spoilage. Depending on the product, these preservatives can vary in their chemical composition and their potential health impacts. Commonly used preservatives in liquid vitamin products include methyl- and propylparaben. While these preservatives are generally safe, some individuals may react negatively to them.
As a result of their greater bioavailability, liquid vitamins are often a good choice for individuals who need to ingest high doses of nutrients or herbs. Individuals who struggle to swallow pills, such as children or elderly adults, also benefit from these products because they can be easily administered in a liquid form.
Lastly, liquid vitamins can be more precisely measured for dosing needs. This makes them ideal for individuals who require a specific dose or need to titrate their dosages based on the recommendations of a healthcare provider.
Liquid vitamins are becoming increasingly popular due to their ease of consumption and faster absorption compared to pill-form supplements. However, they are not necessarily better than pills, and which form of vitamin supplement is best depends on one’s personal health needs, lifestyle, and dietary requirements. It’s important to weigh these factors carefully before deciding on a supplement format that is right for you. Fortunately, working with a supplement contract manufacturer can help to reduce the cost of custom liquid vitamin formulations while maintaining quality and compliance standards.