What Is The Difference In Liquid & Pill Forms Of Minerals & Vitamins?

With growing awareness of the value of nutrition, more Americans are taking dietary supplements. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that more than half of Americans took at least one dietary supplement a day between 2003 and 2006. About 40 percent of respondents reported taking a multivitamins or multimineral supplements. The agency also found that women are more likely to take a dietary supplement than men. You can find vitamins and minerals in pill or liquid form.

Ease of Use

The main difference between liquid and pill vitamins and minerals is the ease of taking a liquid. If you have difficulty swallowing, such as because of age or gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, liquid vitamins and minerals offer a good alternative to pills to help ensure adequate intake of nutrients. You might need to take large doses of some minerals such as calcium and magnesium, which can make taking pills difficult. A liquid vitamin/mineral supplement might be easier to take.

Better Absorption

A vitamin or mineral in liquid form also might be easier to digest and absorb. With a pill, your body needs to break down the vitamin or mineral before it can be absorbed by the body. If you have gastrointestinal issues such as chronic vomiting or diarrhea, this may allow you to absorb more of the nutrients before they leave your system.

Special Situations

Taking a liquid vitamin or mineral supplement may offer a good alternative for individuals who are gluten-intolerant. Gluten is a permitted substance for use as a mixing agent in drugs to keep them chemically stable. A person with celiac disease must eliminate all sources of gluten. A vitamin or mineral in liquid form may not contain these additives, making them a healthy choice if you are gluten-intolerant.

Guidelines for Use

Liquid vitamins and minerals have some drawbacks. Some liquid products may not have the same shelf life as supplements in pill form, requiring you to purchase them more often. In addition, some liquid products may require refrigeration or dilution, making pills more convenient. Another problem is that many liquid supplements are flavored to make taking them easier. Because it is essential to take no more than the recommended dosage to avoid overdosing, you need to be very careful to keep liquid supplements out of reach of children and pets.