When Do Supplements Expire: How Long Should I Keep My Products in the House

Published on
September 22, 2021
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What is the shelf life of supplements? Do supplements expire? These are questions that many people ask themselves when they have a bottle of pills sitting in their house. 

The answer to these questions can vary depending on what type of supplement it is, so this blog post will discuss how long you should keep your products in the house.

Do Expiration Dates Matter For Supplements?

There is not a one-size-fits-all answer to this question. It depends on the type of supplement you have and how much time has passed since its manufactured date. For example, if your bottle of vitamins is expired, it might be okay for you because they still contain some nutrients, but it’s best that you don't take them too frequently. 

However, you should be wary of what type of supplement it is and if they are safe to take. But most vitamins will have a shelf life of about two years from when they are manufactured.

There is some controversy over safety and expiration dates for dietary supplements because there are no good ways to measure the effectiveness or potency of these products after their best-by date, so it's difficult for consumers to know if what they're getting is effective (or safe).

However, the overall consensus is that dietary supplements should not be used if they are more than three years past their expiration date.

What Types Of Supplements Have Expiration Dates?

Supplements like multivitamins, probiotics, or fish oil do not expire as long as the consumer’s seal has not been broken. If there is no time stamp on your bottle, it is good for up to two years after its manufactured date or within three months of you opening the bottle if there is a timestamp. 

Supplements that have an expiration date include pre-workout mixes, protein powders, and creatine monohydrates. While they should not be used after their expiration date, you can determine if it is still safe to consume by the smell or how well it dissolves in liquid.

Supplement brands are required to include an expiration date on each product because of safety reasons. Supplements that have not been manufactured properly can become contaminated with bacteria or other harmful ingredients after their expiration date. If you purchase supplements from a reputable brand, they should have no problem providing proof that the product has passed all of its safety tests before releasing it to stores and consumers.

What About Protein Supplements?

Protein powder should be used before their expiration date because they lose nutrients over time and can become harmful to your body's system. 

Many factors determine how long protein supplements should be used, but the most common ones are if they have been stored in a cool place and if their seal has not been broken. Unopened protein powder can last up to one year. However, once it has been opened, you only have three months before its expiration date.

What About Supplement Blends?

All types of supplement blends, such as BCAA or pre-workout, have expiration dates. These supplements contain many ingredients, and it is difficult for manufacturers to determine how long each supplement will last. 

Therefore, there are guidelines that should be followed so you can get the most out of your money. Supplement blends expire after one year if they have been opened but before six months of their manufacture date if they are unopened.

When Should You Throw Away Supplements?

If your supplement is beyond its expiration date or has a strange color, smell, or texture, then it should be thrown out immediately and not used under any circumstances. You also shouldn't take products that have been dropped because the ingredients in them may no longer work.

Supplements will often change colors after they expire because of oxidation, so you should only use them if they smell right.

Even though there are many supplements that you will be able to use after their expiration date, it is still important to check with your doctor before taking any supplement under the suggestion of a friend or family member. Also, make sure that you save all receipts and keep track of when you purchased them so that you can be able to tell if they have expired or not.

What Is The Best Way To Store Supplements?

Store all your products in a cool and dry place like your pantry. This will ensure that you maximize each supplement bottle’s shelf life because they won't be exposed to direct sunlight or heat, which can decrease their nutrients over time. The last thing you want to do with these expensive products is to waste money by taking expired ones.

What To Do With Old Supplements?

If you have any products beyond their expiration date, it is best not to use them. In terms of throwing out supplements safely, make sure to keep them in a dry and cool place and make sure to put them into the garbage.

The shelf life of supplements varies depending on what type they are, how old they are, and if you have opened their seals or not. For example, multivitamins can last up to two years as long as it is unopened, but once it's opened, it’s only good for three months before it expires. If a supplement smells, looks, or feels strange, then you should throw them out because it may be harmful to your body's system.

It is important to remember that everyone is different, so what one person can take might not work the same way for someone else and vice-versa, which means there is no definitive answer to when supplements expire.

Do Herbal Supplements Also Expire?

Yes, herbal supplements will expire as well. Some last up to two years, while others only last around one year, and the main factor determining how long they can be stored is whether or not it has been opened or unsealed. If you have any questions about a specific product, always check with your doctor before taking them because everyone's bodies are different.

Remember to follow the instructions carefully when taking herbal supplements and always check for possible side effects, interactions, or allergic reactions with your primary doctor before you take them. 

You don't want to waste money on products that might not work for you, so make sure to do some research first if there is any doubt in your mind about whether it will harm you or not.

The shelf life of herbal supplements can vary a lot from product to product, and it’s best to check with the manufacturer before you take them because everyone's bodies are different, which means their medical needs will be as well. You don't want any accidents to happen so make sure that your doctor is aware if there is anything, especially medication, that might interact with the supplements you are taking.

In summary, herbal supplements will have an expiration date. It is important to follow all the instructions carefully because if they expire before you use them, they won't work as well as when they were first created in their manufacturing plant. Make sure to keep your products stored in a cool and dry place to maximize their shelf life.

Conclusion

There are many questions that people want to ask about supplements, but there is no definite answer when it comes to how long they last before they expire. Some can last up to two years while others only a year, and the best way to know for sure if your herbal products will still be effective after their expiration date is by checking with the manufacturer or doing some research on the Internet.

One thing to keep in mind is that everyone's bodies are different, and what works for one person might not work as well for another, so there isn't a definitive answer when it comes down to the shelf life of supplements. 

If you don't know how long your products will last or have any doubt in your mind about them, the best option is to ask your doctor before taking any of the supplements. If there are any questions or doubts, you should always check with a professional first and foremost because they will have more knowledge on the subject than anyone else.