Commonly Asked Questions
About Vitamins and Supplements
Why Should You Take Daily Supplements?
Before choosing a daily vitamin supplement, understand its importance. Even with a health-conscious diet, you might lack essential nutrients. A daily multivitamin fills nutritional gaps, providing crucial nutrients like B Vitamins, omega-3, magnesium, and vitamins C and D, supporting overall health.
What Time of Day Should I Take My Supplements?
Most supplements, including multivitamins, vitamin D, and fish oil, are best taken with breakfast for optimal digestion and absorption. However, supplements for relaxation or mood support should be consumed on an empty stomach, ideally 30 minutes before eating. Always read the directions on the PrincipleNutrition label carefully.
How do I decide which supplements are best for me?
To determine the right supplements for you, start by assessing your diet with a healthcare provider to identify any nutrient deficiencies. A daily multivitamin is often a convenient solution to fill these gaps and can be tailored to specific age and gender needs. For example, women over 50 typically need less iron, which can be obtained through diet, while men’s formulas may include different ingredients. However, a multivitamin alone may not suffice, as many people also need additional calcium and vitamin D, especially if they can't tolerate dairy or don't get enough vitamin D from their diet, with 95% of Americans falling short in vitamin D intake.
Learn More: Do Multivitamins Work & Do You Really Need One? Direct to our Ultimate Complete 1 Multivitamin
How Much is Too Much?
Many vitamins and supplements can safely exceed the Daily Value (DV) listed on nutrition labels, which indicate the nutrient contribution to a daily diet. For instance, while the standard recommendation for vitamin D is 600-800 IU daily, the Endocrine Society suggests 1500-2000 IU to maintain proper levels, and up to 10,000 IU may be necessary to correct deficiencies in adults. However, it's important to note that fat-soluble vitamins have defined upper intake levels, as excesses are stored rather than excreted.
Can I Take Supplements with My Current Medications?
Always inform your primary healthcare provider about all dietary supplements you take, even if infrequently, as some can interfere with prescription and over-the-counter drugs, reducing their effectiveness. Conversely, certain medications can deplete nutrient levels; for instance, statin drugs may lower coenzyme Q10 levels, making supplementation necessary. Discuss supplement dosages, frequency, and potential nutrient depletions with your doctor or pharmacist to ensure wise supplementation and nutrient restoration.
Learn More: Do check our coenzyme Q10 and our heart category.
Can I Take Supplements After the Expiration Date?
While consuming expired products isn't necessarily harmful, their active ingredients may not retain labeled potency. It's advisable to discard expired items, especially fish oil or omega-3 supplements, and always check the expiration date when purchasing new supplements, as some may expire within a year.
What is oxidation?
Oxidation is when exposure to oxygen causes changes to your supplement, like different colors, tastes, or smells. It’s a natural process that isn’t harmful, but it can affect how well the supplement works.
Why has my supplement changed despite having more than 12 months expires?
Oxidation can happen when supplements are exposed to air, light, or temperature variations but rest assured, it doesn’t affect the product’s benefits.
How can I keep my supplements from oxidizing?
Store your supplements in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and make sure the lid is tightly closed after every use. Try to keep them out of humid areas like the kitchen or bathroom.
What should I do if I think my supplement has oxidized?
We are committed to your satisfaction and health above all. If you have any reservations about using the bottle you've just opened, we're more than happy to discuss a replacement or any other solution that would make you feel comfortable and supported.
Can I Cut Supplements in Half if I Can’t Swallow Them Whole?
If you find swallowing tablets difficult, they can be cut or crushed, provided you consume the entire dose. For large softgels, puncture or slice them to extract their contents into a spoon or food, like apple sauce. However, avoid this with time-release or enteric-coated products, and remember that some supplements might include dietary ingredients in the gel coating, requiring them to be swallowed whole. Alternatively, consider gummy, chewable, or powder supplements if pill swallowing is challenging. Always read the label carefully to ensure correct usage, particularly for children’s products.
Learn More: PrincipleNutrition has variety of Gummy Vitamins
Where is the Best Place to Store Supplements?
Storage instructions for supplements are typically detailed on the label; it's generally recommended to keep the bottle in a cool, dry place with the lid tightly sealed. Some formulations may need specific conditions, so always pay attention to these requirements. Additionally, ensure supplements are stored out of reach of children and pets.
Choosing Vitamins & Supplements
PrincipleNutrition offers a diverse range of dietary supplements, from Multivitamins to vitamin D, designed to support various health and wellness goals such as heart health and digestive tract support. Explore our vitamin and supplement line to find the right products to take charge of your health today.
PrincipleNutrition does not guarantee its final products to be halal. However, all vegetable-sourced capsules are both halal and kosher certified, all bovine-sourced softgels are both halal and kosher certified, and all bovine-sourced gelatin used to make softgels are both halal and kosher certified.
Are your products certified kosher?
PrincipleNutrition does not guarantee its final products to be kosher. However, all vegetable-sourced capsules are both kosher and halal certified, all bovine-sourced softgels are both kosher and halal certified, and all bovine-sourced gelatin used to make softgels are both kosher and halal certified.
Are your products vegan and vegetarian friendly?
Each product carries its own allergen statement that can be found on the product page. The statement includes whether the product is suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
Do your products contain common allergens?
Each product carries its own allergen statement that can be found on the product page. Please note that we are not a designated peanut-free facility, and therefore cannot label any of our products as "peanut-free."