Multivitamin supplements are useful to fill the nutritional gap in your regular diet. When you start taking multivitamins, you want them to work quickly and rest assured, knowing that you are getting sufficient nutrients. So, it's natural to wonder how long does it take for multivitamins to start working whenever you start a new supplement regimen.
In the US, about 38% of vitamin and mineral sales correspond to multivitamin products. After all, you want to spend money on products that work! Moreover, you are taking them for good health, and you want the peace of mind of knowing that you are giving your body the nutrition it deserves.
In this blog, we will explain how multivitamins work and clarify how long does it take for vitamins to work so that you make the right choice whenever you choose a supplement.
Multivitamins – How Do They Work?
Need for Multivitamins
Your body needs several vitamins like A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, C, D, E, K, etc and minerals such as magnesium, zinc, etc, to function properly. Some of these vitamins may be naturally synthesized. Most of the vitamins and minerals for your body come from your food.
For healthy individuals, taking a balanced diet, following a stress-free lifestyle, and ensuring adequate exercise may supply adequate nutrition. But, it doesn't happen in reality. Not everyone eats a balanced diet for every single meal, and processed foods are easy to consume on the go. There is so much work pressure, and proper work-life balance is lacking. All these put stress on your body, and it may not be capable of absorbing vitamins and minerals from your food. So, what results is vitamin deficiencies that can affect your immunity and overall well-being.
Multivitamin supplements bridge this nutrition gap and give your body its daily dose of fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins and essential minerals.
Multivitamin Absorption
Once you take the supplements, they go through the digestive system. Then, the water-soluble vitamins, such as B and C, can enter the bloodstream. Fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K need bile acids, and they are absorbed through the lymphatic system before they can get into the bloodstream.
Depending on their functionality, vitamins and minerals are used by the body to boost immunity, build bones, improve overall well-being, etc.
How Long Does It Take For Multivitamins To Start Working?
For the multivitamins to work effectively, it may take a few weeks to three months. The amount of time it takes for the supplements to work in your body varies based on the following factors:
Quality
The quality of supplements you use is a major factor in determining how quickly the multivitamins help. Always choose the best multivitamins that contain research-based ingredients in adequate quantities. Ensure that they are formulated by experts and actually work. High-quality supplements such as ONE Multivitamin from trusted brands like Pure Encapsulations are highly appreciated for their health benefits.
Type of multivitamins
Multivitamins are available in multiple forms: tablets, capsules, soft gels, liquid, and gummies. Each form varies based on its absorption ability and how fast it can work. Gummy vitamins are now gaining popularity because they are more fun to eat and will not leave you forgetting to take them. Also, liquid multivitamins are more easily absorbed by the body. We will explore the different formulations and their absorbability in the sections below.
Formulation
How the multivitamins are formulated also plays a major role in answering your question of how long does it take for multivitamins to work. Traditional multivitamins contain the basic ingredients, and they are consumed with meals. Water-soluble vitamins are best taken with water, and for fat-soluble vitamins, taking them along with a fat-containing diet is more beneficial. When you buy multivitamins, read the usage section to take them in the right way.
Liposomal multivitamins are unique in their delivery mechanism. The nutrients are encapsulated within liposomes. Phospholipid bilayers cover these nutrients so that the harsh bile juices do not affect them. So, there will be no degradation in the digestive system. Liposomal delivery preserves the potency of the multivitamins.
Health goals
The time it takes for multivitamins to work depends on your health goals. If you are taking multivitamins to see a boost in energy levels, you can see benefits within a few days. On the other hand, if you are taking multivitamins for specific purposes like bone health, it may take a few months for you to experience the results.
For example, Phytomulti With Iron is a comprehensive multivitamin from Metagenics that can also help improve iron levels. You may have to take this supplement for 3-6 levels for your iron levels to become normal. If you don’t need multivitamins with iron, you can then go for Phytomulti Without Iron. In that case, you can see health benefits within a few weeks.
Bioavailability
How well the multivitamins can be absorbed by your body is called bioavailability. Your supplement must say that it is highly bioavailable for maximum absorption. Otherwise, it may contain high amounts of vitamins and minerals, but they are not useful when your body is unable to absorb them.
How the supplements make the nutrients bioavailable depends on the brand’s delivery technology. As mentioned above, the liposomal technique is highly preferable and some multivitamins contain complementing ingredients to increase their microavailability.
Gut Health
Another key factor that not many know about is that the speed at which these multivitamins can work depends on your gut health also. If you have a healthy gut with an optimal gut microbiome, the nutrients will be absorbed better. So, you can get relatively quick results compared to those with an unhealthy gut.
If you have an unhealthy gut, there will be so many disturbances, such as a large number of harmful microbes. These don't let your body absorb all the nutrients, and thus, the effect may be slow.
Some multivitamins are available with probiotics to support gut health also. If that is not available with your supplement, you can take a probiotic supplement separately.
Deficiency Severity
If you eat a healthy, balanced diet on a regular basis, the vitamin deficiency may be minimal. In those cases, the multivitamins may work faster because your body is already in good condition. Several vitamin deficiencies can result when you have malnutrition and it takes more time to get better. In that case, you may need to wait for months to see benefits for your immunity and overall well-being. Similarly, if you take supplements to build joint and bone strength, it may take a few months to see the health benefits.
Health Status
Your individual health status is another key factor that helps with faster nutrient absorption. Healthy individuals can experience the results quickly. If you have some kind of sickness even minor illnesses like cold or flu, your immunity will work to address those health issues first. You may start to experience the health benefits after your illness subsides.
Regularity in taking multivitamins
People start taking multivitamins and question how long does it take for multivitamins to start working. But, they may not take it regularly. The multivitamins are supposed to be taken daily. How can you expect results when you don't take the right dosage at the right time? The timing of taking the multivitamins is also important. Based on the formulation, some are best taken on an empty stomach, while others must be taken along with a healthy meal.
Also, bioavailability and absorption also depend on how you take the supplement. For example, it is better to avoid caffeine at least for an hour after taking multivitamins to ensure that it is properly absorbed by the body. Follow the usage instructions with your choice of multivitamin supplement to get all the health benefits.
Specific to health conditions
Generally, multivitamins are for general health. But, some supplements are made for specific people in mind. For example, the Amy Myers MD The Myers Way Multivitamin is a multivitamin supplement made for people with thyroid dysfunction. So, it's better to find multivitamins that are made for your specific health condition to get good results quickly. Only an expert can recommend which multivitamin is best for your health condition.
Formulated for the right age and gender
Men and women have different physiology and their nutritional requirements vary. You need to choose supplements that are designed for your gender and age. There are many generic multivitamins that are common for all. These can be taken by anyone to get multivitamin benefits. Supplements for men and women contain different ingredients in different quantities that can help with specific health such as prostrate health, menstrual support, etc.
Certain supplements may be specifically designed for elderly people, kids, or teens, young adults, men over 50 or women over 40. These target age specific nutritional requirements and fulfil them. So, choosing supplements designed for your age will be more beneficial to get quicker results.
Those who have difficulty swallowing multivitamins can opt for tiny tablets like Tiny Tabs Multivitamins from New Chapter or Liquid Multivitamins from Douglas Laboratories.
Best Vitamin Supplements That Actually Work
Anyone who wants to investigate how long does it takes for multivitamins to start working want the best supplements for their body. Remember to consult with a health professional first before starting your daily supplement regimen. Understanding the different types of supplements and their effectiveness is helpful.
Liposomal Multivitamins
A randomized trial on liposomal multivitamins has shown that iron absorption from the supplement was better due to the liposomal delivery mechanism. The supplement characteristics like formulation, fillers, excipients, coatings, etc impact its dissolution ability and how well it can be absorbed by the body.
Liposomal multivitamins promote enhanced absorption and bioavailability to pack both water and fat-soluble compounds in phospholipid bilayers. They protect the ingredients from hostile gastrointestinal environments and also improve cellular uptake. They improve stability and biocompatibility compared to conventional supplement delivery methods.
Liquid Multivitamins
Multivitamin tablets are well known, but did you know that they are also available as liquid multivitamins? Compared to tablets, they can be readily absorbed by the body. Another advantage is that you can mix them in juices or your morning smoothies to improve their taste and start a vitamin regimen more easily. Studies have shown that vitamin C supplements work very well in the form of liquid. Natures Way Alive Max Potency is a good choice if you are looking for a citrus powerhouse with greens, antioxidants, and other daily extracts from various essentials. Brands like Douglas Laboratories, Drs Advantage, etc, have some of the best-selling liquid multivitamins with fruit and berry extracts.
Gummies
Tablets may be difficult to swallow for some people, and liquid multivitamins may not taste better. Gummy vitamins provide the perfect solution in such cases. They are so easy to include in your daily regimen. Studies have been done on the effectiveness of gummy vitamins, and only positive results have been found. Vitamin D3 absorption is particularly better with gummy vitamins. It is suitable for kids and adults.
Targeted Multivitamins for Men and Women
Insufficient nutrient intake among women impacts overall health in areas such as bone development, overall health, pregnancy outcomes, and immune function. One of the popular brands offering targeted supplements for women is Solaray. You can also buy liposomal supplements for women and women after the age of 50 to get support. Iron deficiency is common in women due to monthly blood losses in their reproductive years. Studies have shown that zinc supplementation helped women with depression symptoms, too.
Another trial on men also showed that liposomal multivitamins for men showed greater clearance and absorption of ingested vitamins and minerals. They are also found to benefit oxygen consumption, metabolism, and immune health in generally healthy men.
Conclusion
So, how long does it take for multivitamins to start working? Consistency and keeping up with the routine is important. Taking targeted supplements for at least 4 weeks can help improve nutritional status. Choosing the right supplements for your health condition, gender, and age is vital to get the benefits you desire. Remember, these supplements are not a replacement for a healthy diet. Rather, they are used to address nutritional insufficiency in your everyday diet. Research-backed supplements are safe to consume for the long term for general wellness, but consulting with a medical professional first is important to design a personalised supplementation course for you.
FAQ
1. How long does it take for multivitamins to work?
Multiple factors, like the type of vitamin, your body's unique needs, existing deficiencies, etc, determine how long does it take for vitamins to start working. Water-soluble vitamins are absorbed quickly and may start working in your body within a few hours. Fat-soluble vitamins, on the other hand, are stored in the body and may sometimes take weeks to show positive effects. So, with consistent use, you can notice improvements in your health and well-being in a few weeks.
2. How do I know if my multivitamin is working?
The most direct way to know whether a nutritional supplement works is to experience your body functioning going back to normal levels. Vitamin deficiencies often show up as low energy. If you can feel the difference in your energy levels and mood after taking supplements for a few days or weeks, you can understand that they are working. If you have specific health conditions, you must consult with your doctor.
3. What happens to my body when I start taking multivitamins?
When you take multivitamins, your body will get the necessary nutrients in the right quantities. So, more food will be effectively converted into energy, and all the organs may start receiving adequate nourishment. As a result, energy levels may get a boost, and the immune system becomes better. So, you won't fall sick often, and even if you feel sick, you can recover faster. Your muscles may also become stronger, and your skin may look more healthy.
4. Is it okay to take a multivitamin daily?
Multivitamins are supposed to be taken daily along with a healthy diet. They fill the nutritional gap in your diet. When you choose from trusted brands, there are generally no harmful side effects from taking them for the long term. It's best to consult with an expert regarding the long-term use of supplements.
5. How long do B12 supplements take to work?
One of the most common symptoms of B12 deficiency are fatigue and low immunity. It's a water-soluble vitamin, and its effects may not be instantaneous. When you choose a high-quality vitamin B12 supplement, you can start seeing better results after a few weeks. It supports cellular energy, and with regular supplementation, you can gradually improve your energy levels.