Many vitamins and other supplements can degrade more quickly and lose their effectiveness if exposed to excessive heat, light, oxygen or moisture. Oils with a higher content of polyunsaturated fatty acids are particularly sensitive to storage conditions.
Article at a glanc:
- How to deal with the storage of supplements in summer?
- Can I take the supplements I use every day on vacation?
- Tip from Jakub Přibyl
- How do we handle storage and transport?
How to deal with the storage of supplements in summer?
A distinction should be made between supplements in capsules and liquid oils.
Our Kids products, Kids Omega 3 and Kids DHA + D3/K2, are very sensitive supplements. As a standard, we recommend consuming them as soon as possible after opening, ideally within 2 months. In the case of hot summer temperatures, where even room temperatures can exceed 25 degrees, it is preferable to store these supplements in the refrigerator. This also applies to cosmetic oils and creams, especially those that are natural or 'non-toxic'.
"If you travel to places where you don't have the option of refrigerated storage and you stay there more than a day or two, I would prefer to let the oil rest in the refrigerator at home and resume supplementation when you return," recommends recipe author Jakub Pribyl.
Kids Omega-3, which is essentially a concentrate of DHA, is particularly susceptible to autoxidation. The more polyene fatty acids with multiple double bonds (DHA has the most of the omega-3s) and the fewer antioxidants it contains, the more easily it is subject to rancidity and the more sensitive it is to storage conditions. Never expose this type of oil to direct sunlight, high temperatures (4-8°C is optimal) or oxygen. You can't avoid opening up the oil (and therefore access to oxygen) when using omega-3 kids, but prolonged storage at higher temperatures can do the most damage.
With encapsulated products such as ProLife, Omega 3 - Enhanced Bio Plus or Vegan Omega 3, the potential impact of external conditions (heat, light, air, saliva contamination) is treated with several steps. First of all, by the natural antioxidant mix contained, then by the encapsulation and packaging technology. In general, these supplements are more stable than liquid forms of oils.
The supplements are also tested for extreme temperatures, yet we recommend storing them at room temperature up to 25 degrees and in places without direct sunlight or heat from electrical appliances. During tropical days it is preferable to store these supplements in the refrigerator.
Can I take the supplements I use every day on vacation?
If you are going on an extended holiday, it is of course possible to carry the supplements in capsules. Short-term fluctuations should not harm the capsules, provided they are in their original packaging. To save space in your luggage, we recommend you to keep the empty packaging and use it to create an exact mix of your favorite supplements for each day. That way, you don't have to disrupt your routine even while on vacation.
Tip from Jakub Přibyl
How do we handle storage and transport?
From the factory to the warehouse, the supplements are transported in refrigerated trucks during summer temperatures. The professional facilities of our warehouse can create suitable storage conditions for each product group, which is not commonplace for all e-shops. On the way to the customer, each package from our warehouse is first transported by a carrier to a local depot, so that it does not stay overnight in the car. The next day it is taken to the delivery truck.
And our advice at the end? During hot summer days, consider buying oils that are sensitive to external conditions and auto-oxidation. Alternatively, hold off on ordering until the temperatures have dropped.
