Food supplements without expiry date: healthy or not?

1. We are regularly talking about healthy nutrition, nutritional supplements and of course orthomolecular medicine. Sometimes supplements can indeed be a useful addition to your diet. However, nutritional supplements should always be seen as a type of medication and more is certainly not better!

2. We are regularly talking about healthy food, nutritional supplements and of course orthomolecular medicine. Sometimes supplements can indeed be a useful addition to your diet. However, nutritional supplements should always be seen as a type of medication and more is certainly not better!

1. In addition, nutritional supplements are considered a '' food product ''. This means that they must meet a number of hygiene and safety standards. However, one question I regularly get is about the expiration date of nutritional supplements. Food supplements are concentrated sources of nutrients or other substances with a nutritional or physiological effect with the aim of replenishing deficiencies. There are numerous supplements on the market, from multivitamins to herbal preparations and the well-known fish oil. There is a lot of discussion about their effect and usefulness because of their absorption in the body.

2. In addition, nutritional supplements are considered a '' food product ''. This means that they must meet a number of hygiene and safety standards. However, one question I regularly get is about the expiration date of nutritional supplements. Food supplements are concentrated sources of nutrients or other substances with a nutritional or physiological effect with the aim of replenishing deficiencies. There are countless supplements on the market, ranging from multivitamins to herbal preparations and the well-known fish oil. There is a lot of discussion about their effect and usefulness because of their absorption in the body.

1. For a number of years now they are no longer allowed to make health claims that cannot be proven. Yet it is a growing market and certain supplements are very popular among consumers. That is why supplements are also subject to a number of strict regulations so that there is no over-supplementation.

1. You can see this in practice because the maximum recommended dose is indicated on the packaging. Also, all ingredients must be stated and their exact amounts. Strangely enough, it is not mandatory in the European Union to indicate the expiration date on a dietary supplement.

2. You can see this in practice because the maximum recommended dose is indicated on the packaging. Also, all ingredients must be stated and their exact amounts. But strangely enough, it is not mandatory in the European Union to indicate the expiration date on a dietary supplement.

1. Many manufacturers still state an expiration date, but this is often in the form of a 'Best for' statement. As a result, consumers are often confused about how long they can safely store a supplement and how long it will work effectively.

1. The fact that this is not legally stipulated on food supplements has a lot to do with the fact that it is actually very unclear how long they can be stored. Also many supplements consist of dried plant extracts or synthetic substances, they can often remain good for years if stored properly.

1. When an expiration date is stated on a supplement, the manufacturer usually means that the effectiveness can no longer be guaranteed after the expiry date. It may well be that the dietary supplement is still effective, but this cannot be guaranteed. There are almost no supplements that become dangerous or unhealthy after their expiration date, but you should always be careful with this.

1. Some substances in supplements lose their potency fairly quickly. Vitamins, for example, start to lose quality from the first day they hit the shelves. With these types of products it is therefore important to pay attention to the expiration date if you want to be sure that they will still be active.

1. For all commonly used supplements, let's see if and how quickly they expire:

2. For all the commonly used supplements, let's see if and how quickly they expire:

1. Herbal based supplements slowly lose their potency, however most last for at least 3 years. After that, their quality deteriorates little by little. In principle, you can safely use a 4-year-old herbal supplement, but the effect may be less strong.

1. As mentioned, they lose their effectiveness fairly quickly but you can be sure (with quality products) that they will work properly up to the expiration date stated by the manufacturer. Then they lose their potency within one or two years.

1. These will last on average up to one year after the expiration date stated by the manufacturer

1. Losing their potency only slowly, you can also use these for another one or two years after the expiration date stated by the manufacturer.

1. These are very delicate to keep. You often have to keep them refrigerated or at least in a cool and dark place. Their expiration date is very important, just a few months after the expiration date you can be sure that they no longer work and that they have also become really 'rotten', so not healthy to take them anymore.

2. These are very delicate to keep. You often have to keep them refrigerated or at least in a cool and dark place. Their expiration date is very important, a few months after the expiration date you can be sure that they no longer work and that they have also become really 'rotten', not healthy anymore to take them.

1. Probiotics contain living organisms and bacteria and therefore do not last very long. You should also often keep these refrigerated and throw them away once the expiration date has passed.

2. Probiotics contain living organisms and bacteria and therefore do not last very long. You must also often keep these refrigerated and throw them away once the expiry date has passed.

1. Finally this: if you want to keep your supplements good for as long as possible, then you should follow the guidelines on the packaging with regard to storage. Do not keep them in the refrigerator unless directed, keep them in an airtight container and away from light, moisture and heat.

1. If you notice that the scent or color of a particular supplement has changed, it is probably a sign that it has expired and don't take it anymore!

1. Questions or remarks regarding this article? Let me know by leaving a comment below!