Supplement Savvy

Supplement Savvy- Buying,Storing and Tossing by Liane Seiwald C.P.T.,C.S.N.

Question and Answer to:

What's the best way to keep supplements? And how long past (or before) expiration date are supplements and protein powders ok? I found some items you had suggested for me on clearance. Thank you for all your help ! Kerri

Hi Kerri,Great Questions!

Most of us store our vitamins where they are most convenient, in the kitchen or even the bathroom.For some vitamin supplements,this may not be the best place.Supplements, especially water based ones ,such as vitamin c, are prone to deliquescence( breaking down of). Which means, every time you open and close your bottle,air and humidity causes those types of vitamins to dissolve.Repeaded bouts of exposure to moist air can decrease the quality and effectiveness of your supplements. Being in a more humid environment ( kitchen or bathroom) can cause this type of break down to happen faster. Just be aware of where you are storing those and keep the lids tight, out of light and in the driest area possible. Other supplements can also break down at a faster rate by being exposed to light and air. Protein powders and like powdered substances are already down to their smallest form,exposing to air by not keeping the lids tight and setting in the sunshine breaks down the structure more rapidly.You wouldn't keep your milk out of the fridge for very long,similar rules apply.

Although it is not mandated by FDA( Food and Drug Administration) to place expiration dates on supplements,companies will provide one for quality purposes to its consumers. Reputable companies will conduct stability studies to determine product structure,potency and possible health concerns.Supplements are just that,nutrients that provide a benefit where food sources are either not supplied or lacking.These nutrients are processed and made into capsules,hard tablets,liquids(suspensions) or powders,based on there structure.They are manufactured so that they are bioavailable in the body( readily absorbed and used).Testing is done at that time and again at set times there after to determine its stability of bioavailablity when exposed to air,water and time.Certain supplements like tablet form calcium have an extremely long shelf life and whey protein powders far less. Packaging is done to provide the longest and safest shelf life. The dates indicate how long a product should be on a shelf with built in length beyond that. Once opened substances can start to disintegrate and their potencies start to diminish.

There is no one concise answer that applies to all supplements and their shelf life. Read your labels and follow it's recommend practice or recommended usage by your health care provider.

So as far as those clearance bin items,if they are within a month or more from expiration and have not been opened,more than likely products will be ok.If its date is close to a year or more they may be clearance for new designed labels, improved formulas or if store is wanting to stop carrying a certain item.Once opened try to use product in a timely manner( and by that I don't mean consume more than recommended),but don't try to stretch out doses.Stick to recommended storage and possibly split your good buy find with a  someone who uses similar products.( example:protein powder that you and your spouse both use) Don't buy if labels have been tampered with( missing safety seal) or look sunbleached from overexposure to light.

Basic rules to follow when storing your supplements:

1.Keep dry products like multivitamins,vitamin c,protein powders, amino acids in cool, dark, dry areas.

2.Place wet or liquid vitamins in the refrigerator or if label indicates refrigeration once opened.

3.If you set out your daily supplements the night before,use a small pill container instead of leaving out on counter.

4.If expiration dates have passed and the bottle has been opened,it's best to replace within a few weeks or less.Best to throw away items that have changed in color and texture.

You want to put the best in your body, you wouldn't eat spoiled food!

More info can be found at

www.fda.gov