Have you ever taken your daily vitamins and looked at the date on the bottle and realized they have expired? If you've ever wondered if this is a problem, we have the answer for you. Most vitamin and supplement bottles will have a "before" date, but what does that really mean? Is it bad to take vitamins after this date? Vitamins don't have an expiration date, but that doesn't mean you should ignore the dates on the bottle.
Here's everything you need to know about expiration dates and how effective vitamins are after that date has come and gone.
Is your vitamin expired?
Bottles of vitamins may have a date on them, but it's not technically an expiration date. That's because your vitamins don't expire like you think. Because vitamins do not become dangerous when they expire, the Food and Drug Administration does not require a date to be printed on bottles, although most manufacturers still do, because there is a point at which vitamins lose their effectiveness. It simply means that your vitamins and minerals are not providing the full nutritional value you expect if they are past their expiration date.
Depending on the vitamins and supplements and what form they are in, they lose their effectiveness at different rates. Tablets and capsules tend to last longer than chewable vitamins.
It is best to store vitamins in a cool and dry place. The two worst places - and the two most common - are the bathroom and the kitchen. Both of these rooms are hot and humid and vitamins break down faster. Storing vitamins in a closet or bedroom out of direct sunlight will help prolong their effects.
How late is "late"?
Even if vitamins don't expire or become dangerous, they lose their effectiveness, which means they're not good for you. Manufacturers put dates on bottles that indicate the vitamins have reached that point, so if you've passed the "before" date on the bottle, feel free to throw it away, as long as it doesn't make you sick, they will. t also adds no value. .
Although rare, vitamins can become moldy or have an unpleasant odor, especially if not stored properly. If your vitamins are in this condition, throw them away immediately and buy a new bottle. This situation where your vitamins are not safe to consume due to contamination.
At the same time, there are currently no documented cases of "expired" vitamins becoming toxic or dangerous to humans. Expired vitamins are just a waste of time and nothing more.
How to get rid of expired vitamins
Once you've determined that your vitamins are past the point of no return, it's important to dispose of them safely. Throwing it in the trash can be dangerous because children or even pets can get hold of it. And while you might be tempted to flush it down the toilet, it's not the best idea because old vitamins can contaminate your water.
The FDA recommends that vitamins be poured from a bottle into a plastic bag and mixed with "undesirable substances" such as coffee grounds or cat litter. Seal the mixture in a bag and throw it in the trash.
You can take your vitamins to a medicine collection point near you, if you have one. Although it's most commonly used for prescription drugs, you can also drop vitamins in here so you can manage them safely.
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Your vitamins don't expire, but they do become useless after a while. Pay attention to the dates manufacturers put on the bottles to know when your vitamins and supplements aren't working for you. As long as you store them properly, they will last as long as you need them and help your overall health.
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have about a medical condition or health goals.