Choosing the Right Kind of Liquid Vitamin

Liquid vitamins and supplements have become quite trendy lately, and there's a lot of science to explain why.

The term 'liquid vitamins' encompasses a wide range of options, each offering particular benefits and uses. When choosing the best kind of liquid vitamin for you, you need to consider the nutrient or herb being administered, the required dosage, and the quality of the herb or supplement.

Liquid vitamin products include liposomal, water, and alcohol-based herbal preparations and liquid supplements that come in a water or oil base, depending on the nutrient. While liquid supplements can benefit many people, they are especially valuable for children, people who can't or don't like swallowing pills, anyone who needs a higher dosage difficult to obtain from pills, and those with digestive issues.

Types of Liquid Vitamins

The main types of liquid vitamins and supplements fit into the following categories. Your integrative practitioner can help determine which products best suit your personalized supplement regimen.

Liposomal

Lipids are molecules such as triglycerides, cholesterol, and fatty acids that can't be dissolved in water. They play a significant role in supporting cellular membrane structure and function in the body. Liposomes are microscopic fat-soluble vesicles derived from lipids. The science of liposomal liquid supplements uses liposomes to encapsulate and transport the active ingredients of supplements to the body, allowing them to be more efficiently absorbed.

The theory of liposomal delivery highlights how nutrients are protected against the harsh environment of the GI tract, therefore increasing oral uptake in the mouth and uptake into the cells.

Liposomal liquids have received increasing traction in recent years, and they seem to be highly beneficial in many cases. However, research examining how a liposomal delivery system can increase bioavailability and absorption is still pending, and results are often dependent on the quality of the liquid supplement. Many products have preservatives, fillers, and a relatively low dose of the primary nutrient itself. For this reason, it's best to think of liposomal supplements as a delivery method with the potential to enhance health benefits and impact.

Water-Based Herbal Preparations

Herbs are often prepared as liquid tinctures, and water-based tinctures are an excellent choice for children or people who cannot consume alcohol. Alcohol is a natural preservative that extracts the plant's medicinal components. Water also extracts active plant compounds, so most traditional tincture extractions are prepared with a combination of alcohol and water, depending on the specificities of the herb itself.

Alcohol-Based Herbal Preparations

Alcohol extractions are the most common tincture preparations, since alcohol works as a preservative and extracts active plant components. 

Children can take alcohol tinctures, and doctors find that some recovering alcoholics do well with alcohol-based liquid supplements, while others prefer to avoid them altogether. You can easily remove alcohol from tinctures using hot water. Simply bring an ounce of water to a boil and allow to cool for a few minutes, then add your tincture dose and drink.

Liquid Supplements

Liquid vitamins and supplements that don't fit into the above categories are usually delivered with either a water or oil base. Fat-soluble liquid vitamins A, E, and D are administered with oil for proper absorption, while others might be water-based. Many liquids can also be used topically, although it's best to discuss this option with your doctor.

Who Should Consider Liquid Vitamins?

Children

Kids are often unable to swallow pills or dislike doing so, which makes liquids more ideally suited to their needs. Since taste is a big factor in children's supplements, it's critical to find a high-quality product that uses safe preservatives and sweeteners. Some companies use artificial sweeteners to cover up the taste of liquid supplements for kids, so do your homework when deciding on a brand.

People who can't or prefer not to swallow pills

Children aren't the only ones who struggle to swallow pills, tablets, or capsules. Anyone who can't swallow pills for a medical reason—or who simply doesn't like swallowing pills—is more likely to comply with a liquid vitamin protocol.

People with digestive issues

The human digestive tract presents acidic and harsh conditions that easily compromise nutrient viability and making for a more bioavailable supplement. This could be particularly relevant to those with GI problems and absorption issues.

Related content: the four best supplements for gut health

People who need a high dose or are taking multiple supplements

Nobody wants to take twenty pills per day. If someone needs to take many pills or tablets, liquids can be an excellent way of administering high doses without swallowing multiple pills, tablets, or capsules.

Potential Downsides of Liquid Vitamins

One major downside of liquid vitamins is their taste. By nature, nutrients and herbs often have an unpleasant flavor, meaning that their liquid preparation could come with massive amounts of sweeteners. Liquids are susceptible to bacterial growth, so they must include a preservative. Alcohol is a great option, and other choices might be rosemary oil and citric acid. Also, be sure to choose a company with impeccable quality and safety standards.

Conclusion

Like any supplement, liquid vitamins come with pros and cons. All in all, a high-quality liquid offers several impressive benefits. It can be an essential alternative for kids, anyone who can't or prefers not to swallow pills, and people who need a high dose of a particular nutrient or herb. Check with your practitioner to choose the liquid vitamins that best fit into your personalized plan.