Vitamins and supplements are an essential part of different diets. Many people use them to compensate for deficiencies in their diets, especially when there are not many fresh agricultural products available in their area. Vitamins and supplements can still be expensive, so it's important that you make sure you store them properly to prevent your investment from becoming a waste.
Steps
Method 1 of 5: Avoid Moisture
Step 1. Give up using the refrigerator, to avoid exposure to moisture
To maintain their optimal effectiveness, vitamins and other food supplements should be stored in a cool, humid environment.
- Even if the refrigerator is cool and dark, it is filled with moisture, which can reduce the shelf life and effectiveness of vitamins and supplements (a process known as "deliquescence").
- Moisture can cause the capsules to stick together, reducing the effectiveness of vitamins, so the refrigerator should be used to store only those supplements that specifically require refrigeration, as noted on their labels.
Step 2. Avoid the bathroom to protect supplements from heat and humidity
Storing vitamins in the bathroom will frequently expose them to heat and humidity, even if they are kept in the medicine cabinet.
- This decreases the quality and shelf life of the product, and it could mean that you are not getting all the nutrition you paid for.
- Also, opening and closing bottles of vitamins and supplements in a humid environment captures some moisture in the bottle each time.
Step 3. To store vitamins and supplements, find a dry pantry away from the kitchen
Since most vitamins and supplements are taken with food, it may seem logical to store them near the meal area to remind you to take them.
- However, the problem with storing them in the kitchen is that, with the use of the oven and stove, the temperature and humidity in the kitchen go up and down.
- In addition, there is often a significant amount of moisture and vaporized fats in the kitchen, which tend to accumulate on tablets and capsules.
- Instead of the kitchen, store your supplements in a dry pantry away from the kitchen.
Step 4. Keep the vitamins and supplements found in the bedroom out of sunlight
The bedroom is probably the best environment to store supplements in, because humidity fluctuations are few and the bedroom is usually cool and dry.
- Make sure you keep them away from open windows and sunlight, which will deteriorate their effectiveness.
- Also, keep them out of the reach of children.
Method 2 of 5: Avoid Sunlight and Heat
Step 1. Put your vitamins and supplements in an airtight, opaque container, and don't change the distribution
Vitamins and supplements require a specific type of wrapper to maintain maximum effectiveness, so avoid changing the distribution.
- Also, moving them to another container would mean exposing them to moisture.
- The opaque container will help protect the individual bottles from moisture, heat and light.
- An opaque container is fine, but you can also use amber or smoky ones, since they are darker and may still protect the supplements from light.
Step 2. Store supplements out of sunlight
To prevent them from deteriorating, be sure to put them in a place where they cannot be reached by sunlight.
Sunlight can be hot and scorching, and it will undoubtedly deteriorate the effectiveness of supplements
Step 3. Keep supplements away from any appliances that emit heat
Do not store them near a stove, oven or any other appliance that emits light or heat.
The heat and steam around these appliances could create humidity problems similar to those produced by storage in the bathroom and refrigerator
Method 3 of 5: Store in the refrigerator
Step 1. Only store in the fridge if the label says to do so
While many vitamins and supplements should be stored at room temperature, there are some that require refrigeration to maintain their freshness.
- These include liquid vitamins and some essential fatty acids and probiotics.
- The low temperature helps the fragile fat molecules not to go rancid.
- Probiotics contain active cultures that can die if exposed to heat, light or air, so refrigerating them is vital.
- However, not all essential fatty acids, liquid vitamins, and probiotics need to be stored in the refrigerator, so it's best to check the label first.
Step 2. Close the lid tightly to prevent moisture from entering
Leaving the lid loose in the refrigerator means exposing supplements to excessive moisture.
- This could easily ruin the supplements.
- Simply tighten the lid tightly before putting the supplements in the fridge.
Step 3. Separate them from food using airtight containers
Place supplements in an airtight container separate from food to avoid contamination.
- Perishable foods are stored in the fridge, which could easily spoil, so your best bet is to put your vitamins and supplements in a separate airtight container.
- If food spoils near your supplements, any mold or bacteria could reach them if they are not properly separated.
Step 4. Keep the supplements in one bottle at a time, to open and close the lid as little as possible
If you keep opening and closing it each time, condensation will form in the bottle and the vitamins and supplements won't last long.
If, for example, there are three members of your family who take a certain supplement, it is recommended that they all take it at the same time, so that the lid is opened and closed as little as possible
Step 5. Use the fridge for long term storage
If you buy vitamins in large quantities, use the refrigerator for long-term storage to prevent them from spoiling.
- You should take out a specific amount, reseal the container and keep it in the refrigerator.
- If you still need some, you should let the container reach room temperature before opening it.
Method 4 of 5: Store Vitamins and Liquid Supplements
Step 1. Read the label to determine where to store liquid supplements
The labels will contain some useful information that will help you know where to store your vitamins.
Some supplements have special storage methods, indicated on the labels
Step 2. Store your vitamins and liquid supplements in the fridge
They are usually packaged in opaque or smoky bottles, since they are photosensitive.
- After you open them, they are also exposed to oxygen, and can spoil if left out of the refrigerator.
- Also, when left out of the refrigerator, vitamins and liquid supplements, especially those with a high sugar content, can promote the growth of microorganisms.
Step 3. Place them in a separate amber or smoky container
The ideal is to store your vitamins and liquid supplements in a dark bottle in the refrigerator.
Heat, oxygen and sunlight destroy vitamins and supplements, thus reducing their effectiveness
Step 4. Remember to put the liquid supplements back in the fridge
Don't forget to put them back after using them to keep them effective.
Leaving vitamins and liquid supplements out of the fridge exposes them to the risk of oxidation, since, in the presence of greater heat, they have a tendency to oxidize
Method 5 of 5: Keep a Record
Step 1. Make an alphabetical list of your supplements to keep track of
If you are taking several vitamins and supplements, it is very helpful to keep a record of them.
Listing them alphabetically makes the registry more organized
Step 2. Make a note of the expiration date, dosage and timing of intake
Prepare a chart to keep up to date on when vitamins and supplements will expire, as well as their dosage and when you should take them.
- Taking expired vitamins and supplements is harmless, but they may have lost their effectiveness.
- It is also important to pay attention to the dosage and when to take them each day.
