Vitamins are an especially important topic for vegans. While the oft-repeated question "where do you get your protein" is slightly silly, vegans should be concerned about getting enough vitamin B12, D and omega-3 fatty acids. There are advantages and disadvantages to getting these in liquid form. There is, however, no shortage of vegan-friendly vitamins on the market today.
Concerns for Vegans
Vegans have two main concerns when purchasing liquid vitamins: getting the right nutrients from their vitamins; and ensuring that the vitamins are, in fact, free of all animal products. Liquid vitamins do not have a common concern for vegans buying vitamins -- the gel capsule. Often times this is made out of gelatin, a derivative of animal bones. Making sure that your vitamins don't have animal products as ingredients isn't difficult. Many vitamins are advertised as being vegan, including liquid vegan vitamins.
Advantages of Liquid Vitamins
Proponents of liquid vitamins claim that these are more easily digested than traditional vitamins. The concern is that some solid vitamins will not be fully digested before expelled by the body, robbing you of valuable nutrients. Dr. Andrew Weil, however, dismisses these concerns, stating that quality solid vitamins will be fully digested by the body. Liquid vitamins are good for people who have trouble swallowing pills, however.
Disadvantages of Liquid Vitamins
Liquid vitamins are not without their disadvantages. Dr. Weil states that many liquid vitamins might have unnecessary calories and other additives that come with their own health detriments. Further, some vitamins break down when they are exposed to the air, such as vitamin C. This means that, for example, if you were to buy a bottle of liquid vitamin C, that the vitamin would lose potency over a period of time.
What To Look For
Vegans should look for vitamins that do not contain unnecessary calories and harmful additives. They should also take care to purchase vitamins abundant in nutrients that vegans have trouble getting through traditional dietary sources such as vitamins D and B12 and omega-3 fatty acids. Seeking out supplements for these nutrients might be necessary for vegans who are still not getting enough through a multivitamin. Your doctor can run easy tests to find out what vitamins you are deficient in.
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