Expiration dates serve as a guideline for how long a product remains potent and effective. However, if a product expires on February 2, 2009 will it still be good February 3, 2009? Of course it will. In fact, many products continue to hold their nutritional value years past their "expiration." The information provided here explains the details of expiration dates particular to the type of dietary supplement. Each supplement will vary on product efficacy, depending on the manufacturer and the quality of raw materials used. In order to avoid concern, always try to purchase pharmaceutical grade dietary supplements.

Herbal Products

Herbal products will slowly weaken with age; however, they maintain potency for approximately 3 years following production. Product efficacy diminishes approximately 2 years following expiration.

Vitamin Mineral Supplements

Vitamin and mineral supplements will slowly weaken with age. Quality B vitamins do not sustain potency following expiration date; however, most all other vitamin supplements maintain efficacy approximately 2 years following expiration.

Enzymes

Enzymes will slowly weaken with age. They will maintain potency approximately 1 year past the expiration date.

Amino Acids

Amino acid supplements slowly weaken with age. Quality amino acid supplements will maintain potency approximately 1 to 2 years following expiration.

Fish Oils

Fish oils are delicate dietary supplements. Be sure to purchase fish oil supplements that are free of heavy metals and pesticides. Also, be sure that they have been manufactured, stored, and bottled properly, because many fish oil supplements can be rancid prior to purchasing. Most fish oil supplements need to be refrigerated; however a 5 to 7 day shipping period should not hurt the supplements. Most of them expire approximately 3 months after the posted expiration date.

Probiotics

Probiotic supplements contain live organisms; therefore, most probiotic supplements should be refrigerated, with few exceptions. We recommend having probiotics delivered within 7 days of purchase, in order to avoid any temperature damage. Most probiotic supplements expire approximately 3 months after the posted expiration date.

Skin Care

Skin care product expiration dates vary. The more synthetic the skin care product is, the longer it will last; however, the more synthetic the product is, the more harm it can do to the body. Natural, quality skin care products maintain efficacy between 6 to 9 months, while cosmetics expire approximately 1 year from purchase.

Glandular Supplements

Glandular supplements are more delicate than vitamins. They maintain potency approximately 1 year past the expiration date. In order to optimize shelf-life, glandular supplements should be stored in cool temperatures.

Juices and Liquid

Liquid supplements will slowly weaken with age; however, they will maintain efficacy approximately 1 year past the expiration date.

Drugs

The average drug maintains potency approximately 2 years past the expiration date. Some drugs may even last longer. The only drugs that we recommend discarding shortly after expiration are drugs that can save your life in emergencies i.e. Nitroglycerin, Asthma medications, etc.

Important Notice

Never discard drugs by flushing them down the toilet. Most waste water treatment plants are not designed to remove or destroy drugs that have been flushed or washed down the drain. Flushing drugs and other dietary supplements will contaminate drinking water, as well as oceans, lakes, and rivers. This contamination in turn disrupts marine life, and when marine animals are caught for human consumption, the absorbed toxins end up back in our body. Every action has a reaction.

How to Extend the Life of Supplements

The higher the quality and grade of a particular supplement, the longer it will maintain potency following the expiration date. Do not refrigerate supplements unless the label advises to do so. All drugs and vitamin supplements should be stored in airtight containers. Keep all dietary supplements away from light, moisture, and heat.