Vitamin Supplements: Tablets, Liquids, or Effervescent

Vitamin Supplements: Tablets, Liquids, or Effervescent - Which is the Best Form?

Vitamin supplements are available in tablets, liquids and effervescent forms. Quality manufacturing and bio-availability of nutrients determines which form is the best.

There is a variety of functional foods available to the American consumer. Many popular food items, such as cereals, fruit juices and milk, are fortified with vitamins and minerals. We even have a choice of beta-sitosterol-fortified butter and margarine. In spite of the popularity of functional foods, almost 70% of our population takes some form of vitamin supplement.

Gone are the days when popping a daily vitamin tablet was the only means to supplement your diet. As more options become available, consumers are often left wondering which vitamin supplement form is the best. Let's take a look at each one"”its advantages or disadvantages.

Vitamin Tablets
Tablets are the most cost effective form of vitamins.

A disadvantage in tablet forms of vitamins is that they usually contain more chemicals in the form of preservatives, binding and coating agents. A few of these can actually hinder the absorption of nutrients in the body. The presence of chemicals in tablets can also increase the risk of allergies to those who are allergy-sensitive.

The bio-availability of tablet vitamins depends on the quality of manufacturing. Poor quality manufacturing of vitamin tablets renders many of its nutrients ineffective. Dietary supplements are not subject to strict regulations from FDA and hence vitamin supplement labels and actual potency of vitamins may greatly differ. The poorer the quality the less bio-available it is to the body. Much research is required for formulating vitamin tablets in order to ensure that proper disintegration and absorption of nutrients will take place within the digestive system. Only high quality vitamin tablet manufacturers engage in such research. Some high quality tablets will contain cellulose beadlets. These expand in the stomach and help to disintegrate the tablet, allowing for absorption of most nutrients.

Tablets can be less effective for people with digestive problems, such as the elderly, who also may have a difficult time swallowing tablets.

Compared to other forms of vitamins, vitamin tablets have the least bio-availability.

Liquid Vitamins
Vitamins in any drinkable form are known as liquid vitamins. Bio-availability of nutrients in liquid vitamins is up to 90%. This is because nutrients are 7000 times smaller than human cells and are present in colloidal form. In suspended form, nutrients can easily pass through intestinal lining and into the bloodstream for assimilation.

Liquid vitamins offer more versatility of use. They can be used to fortify any fruit juice or mixed with food preparations, such as cookies and desserts for fortified nutrition. This is a popular choice for the elderly and children.

One of the disadvantages of liquid forms is their portability. It is difficult to carry liquid vitamins during travel or keep them handy.

Powdered Effervescent Vitamins
These are available in convenient, easy-to-use pouches each containing an individual dosage. When the powder is mixed in water, it turns into an effervescent drink. The presence of carbon dioxide enhances the absorption of nutrients. It does this by changing the structure of the cellular membrane allowing it to more readily absorb and pass nutrients through the intestinal lining. Effervescence allows 100% bio-availability.

An effervescence solution also creates the right ph level in the digestive system. This is especially useful in the assimilation of certain nutrients like calcium carbonate and amino acids which need a balanced pH environment for its absorption. Effervescent technology is gentle on the digestive system causing less stomach disturbances.

Effervescent powders come in all kinds of flavors and are portable so you can keep some with you at all times for a quick boost of nutrients.

It is also good to remember that vitamins need other nutrients such as minerals, amino acids, antioxidants and certain enzymes for their assimilation in the body. All of these work best together, enhancing each other's performance, producing a synergy of benefits. When choosing a vitamin supplement, choose one which has a combination of nutrients.

Eating a balanced diet, at regular times each day, and having a routine exercise regimen will help you maintain good health. Doctors recommend that you eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, including green vegetables like broccoli. A good vitamin supplement will aid in filling the gap in your diet. Vitamins are required to help your body perform normal metabolic functions, aid in growth and repair of cells, and help maintain overall health.