Do vitamins, minerals or other supplements lose effectiveness with exposure to high temperatures?

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Supplements and Heat

Written by Tod Cooperman, M.D.

Updated June 29, 2023 ⓘ

Heat's Effect on Supplements in the Mail -- Woman receiving a package

Answer:

Many vitamins and other supplements can degrade faster and lose effectiveness when exposed to excessive heat, light, oxygen in the air, or humidity. Even under ideal conditions, vitamins normally degrade over time, but this process is accelerated by poor storage conditions. Although overly degraded supplements may not be unsafe to take, you won't receive the amount of ingredient stated on the label and may not get the desired effect.

See the full answer for how different types of supplements are affected by the environment, particularly heat, and what you should do to protect them. Get the Full Answer >>

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