Liquid minerals and vitamins offer an alternative to traditional capsules and pills. If you have difficulty swallowing pills, liquid supplements are easier to take because they don't promote the gag reflex. And for special-needs populations, such as infants, liquid minerals and vitamins are a must. However, liquid vitamins have a shorter shelf life than pills, are more complicated to measure out, and must be kept refrigerated after opening.
Liquid Supplements
Today, liquid minerals and vitamins are widely available. Deciding whether to take pills or liquid supplements is a personal decision, but choosing a product isn't always easy. Manufacturers often make claims that their liquid formulations are easier for your body to absorb than pills, but there is little research to support these claims. Because liquid vitamins typically use water as a base, they are well suited for the water-soluble vitamins, including the B-complex vitamins and vitamin C. However, the fat-soluble vitamins, A, D, E and K, don't dissolve in water, so you need to shake the bottle thoroughly before taking the supplement. If the product isn't mixed well, you may not get enough of the fat-soluble vitamins in your dosage.
Pediatric Vitamins
Liquid vitamin supplements are generally recommended for babies and very young children who might be unable to swallow pills without choking. Vitamin D is one widely prescribed supplement for children. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, AAP, even children who drink vitamin-D fortified milk aren't getting enough of this nutrient. The AAP recommends that children should receive at least 400 IU of vitamin D per day. Liquid supplements for infants can be administered by placing the liquid on a pacifier or directly into the child's mouth. The problem with liquid supplements is that it may be easy to give children too much of the products. Supplements may also contain unnecessary coloring agents or other additives. Parents should consult their pediatrician before giving any vitamin supplements to babies or children.
Liquid Minerals
Minerals in liquid suspension are another popular supplement. Liquid minerals come in two different forms: colloidal and ionic. The colloidal minerals are held in suspension and don't settle, which means you don't need to shake the bottle. Colloidal minerals tend to be large molecules that your body needs to break down before it can absorb the nutrient. On the other hand, ionic minerals are smaller and have an electrical charge, which allows them to be more easily absorbed by your digestive tract.
Considerations
Liquid supplements offer a higher bioavailability, which is the amount of the supplement that you consume that actually gets absorbed by your body. These supplements are also a better choice for people with digestive problems or problems with swallowing pills. On the down side, liquids can be messy and it is harder to get an exact dosage because you need to measure out the liquid each time you take it. Liquid products don't last as long as pills, but aren't affected by humidity like pills, either. Liquids can be more expensive than capsules and pills, but offer some advantages that pills don't have. For instance, liquid trace minerals can be added to food, if desired, instead of taking them directly.
Member Comments