If you take dietary supplements, you are part of a growing trend of Americans seeking additional nutritional support in their diet. The National Institutes of Health estimate that over 50 percent of Americans took dietary supplements in 2004, spending nearly $7 billion on vitamins and multi-vitamins alone. Liquid vitamin supplements offer another choice over pills for those concerned about their nutritional intake.
Benefits
With liquid vitamin supplements, you can easily take vitamins even if you have problems swallowing pills. Some multi-vitamins can be quite large, especially those that include minerals. The liquid form means that your body can digest and utilize these vitamins easier and faster. You can take them as is or add them to juice or water if you don't like the taste.
Considerations
Some liquid vitamin supplements are flavored to make taking them easier than ever. However, the pleasant taste may also create a risk in a home with young children. According to the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, over three-quarters of reported poisonings involve children. Iron-containing vitamins can be especially toxic. If you take liquid vitamin supplements, it is important to properly store these products in between uses.
Types
You can find liquid vitamin supplements in multi-vitamin forms or as single vitamin supplements. If you or a family member are home bound, you may benefit from a vitamin D liquid supplement to compensate for your lack of sun exposure. The dosage will vary, depending upon the product. Bear in mind that the dosage for single-vitamin supplements may be only a few drops. This is important to remember, given that large amounts of any vitamin may be potentially toxic.
Guidelines
The dosages of some liquid vitamin supplements may involve multiple doses throughout the day. The advantage of this is that with some nutrients there is a limit on how much your body can digest at a time. Spreading the dosage throughout the day allows your body to use these vitamins most effectively. Some liquid vitamins may have other guidelines for their use. For example, fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin D and E are best taken with a meal that contains fat for best digestion. Consult the product's label for information regarding suggested usage.
Trends
Compared to statistics from 1988 to 1994, dietary supplement use rose in the United States by over 10 percent. With the greater range of choices such as liquid vitamin supplements, it is likely that dietary supplement usage will continue to grow. Statistics from 2004 show that older Americans are more likely to take dietary supplements than younger people. With the aging baby boomer generation, liquid vitamin supplements offer a convenient way to ensure adequate nutrient intake.
References
- National Institutes of Health: Who Is Using Dietary Supplements and What Are They Using?
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center: Poisoning Statistics
- National Institutes of Health: Iron Overdose
- Colorado State University Extension: Fat-Soluble Vitamin
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Use of Dietary Supplements in the United States, 1988-1994
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