There are countless reasons why people consider adding liquid multivitamins to their daily nutritional routines. If you have a deficiency in a particular type of vitamin or mineral, then multivitamins that contain that substance can help to boost your body’s health, especially if it is something usually found in a food you’re allergic to or that you simply don’t like.

Even those who don’t have a specific deficiency can still use multivitamins to strengthen their bodies overall and fill in the common nutritional holes that form in an average person’s diet. Throughout every age group, most people don’t get enough of each type of vitamin and mineral that the body needs to function at its highest capacity. Multivitamins are packed full of a variety of important vitamins and minerals in order to give you an all-in-one way to close the gaps in your diet. 

One of the many liquid multivitamin benefits is their ability to be absorbed more quickly and efficiently. Normal capsules and pills need to be broken down before the vital minerals and vitamins they contain can be absorbed into the body, but liquid multivitamins bypass this step entirely, ensuring that every ounce of the important substance makes it into your bloodstream. They’re also a lifesaver for people who experience dysphagia or who have picky children, as they eliminate the need to swallow pills while also being available in various tasty flavors.

But despite all the benefits they have to offer, you may still be wondering, “Is it good to take a multivitamin everyday?” Surely there are multivitamin liquid side effects, right? But the truth is, most of the side effects of multivitamins are rare, temporary, or extremely minor. In fact, many multivitamin side effects will likely wear off over time as your body adjusts to the new substances it’s receiving. Keep reading to learn more about some of the multivitamin benefits and risks that you should be aware of as you begin to incorporate them into your routine.

Multivitamin Long Term Side Effects

As we mentioned, most side effects of multivitamins will decrease and disappear as your body adjusts to this new addition to your diet. Some of the short-term side effects may include constipation, diarrhea, upset stomach, and nausea (1). Of course, if these side effects persist, you should contact your doctor, but they will normally alleviate themselves over time.

As far as multivitamin long-term side effects go, these are usually caused by taking way too much of your multivitamin. You may be tempted to think that since vitamins are good for you, you should take as many of them as you can or take them in higher amounts. But this is not the case, and that common rule of having too much of a good thing most definitely applies.

There are two types of vitamins included in most multivitamins: water-soluble and fat-soluble. Water-soluble vitamins pass through the body and are expelled in urine, making it much harder to have too much of them. Your body recognizes the excess and disposes of it. Fat-soluble vitamins, on the other hand, don’t leave the body as easily. They’re stored in various places throughout the body, such as the liver, and can reach harmful levels if taken in highly excessive quantities over a long period of time (2). Some examples of fat-soluble vitamins that are commonly found in multivitamin formulas include vitamins A, D, E and K. Be careful not to exceed the upper daily limit for these vitamins on a regular basis. 

Multivitamin Side Effects On Kidney

Multivitamin side effects on kidney function usually occur as a result of excessive consumption of fat-soluble vitamins, as they are stored throughout the body and can build up to eventually reach toxic levels. Those who suffer from kidney disease should be particularly wary of consuming too much of vitamins A, E, and K, which can cause dizziness and nausea when taken in excess (3).

Though vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, it can still be a cause for minor concern in patients with kidney disease. High doses of vitamin C may result in an excessive amount of oxalate in the bones and soft tissues, which can be painful. However, the true answer to the common question “What supplements are bad for kidneys?” is none of them, as long as you are careful not to consume them in excess, especially when suffering from kidney disease.

So now you may be wondering what minerals and vitamins are good for kidneys and kidney function. There is a link between the common mineral zinc and kidney disease. Sufferers of chronic kidney disease often experience a zinc deficiency (4). Zinc is an essential micronutrient for the human body, especially for the proper functioning of the immune system and the metabolism (5).

Without it, growth levels can become stunted. Since chronic kidney disease patients are at a higher risk of developing a zinc deficiency, your doctor may instruct you to take a multivitamin containing zinc or a zinc supplement on its own. When suffering from a serious illness, always follow the instructions of your physician before adding new supplements to your routine.

Multivitamin Contraindications

A contraindication is essentially a reason for a patient not to use a certain medicine or treatment because it would end up causing harm to that person. Multivitamin contraindications do exist, though they depend on the types of vitamins that are within that particular multivitamin as well as your body’s unique conditions. Many multivitamins have similar formulas that contain a mix of commonly needed vitamins and minerals, but each formula is slightly different and will contain various selections of vitamins in equally various amounts. If one of the multivitamin indications applies to you, be extra careful when reading the ingredients listed on a multivitamin to ensure that it’s entirely safe for you.

The following is a list of common contraindications associated with multivitamins (6):

• Iron metabolism disorder - increased iron storage.
• An overload of iron in the blood.
• Hemolytic anemia - a type of blood disorder where the red blood cells burst.
• An ulcer from too much stomach acid.
• Gastritis - a type of stomach irritation.
• Ulcerative colitis - an inflammatory condition of the intestines.
• Diverticular disease.
• Excess iron due to repeated blood transfusions.

If any of these contraindications apply to you, consult your physician before adding a supplement to your diet. Having contraindications does not mean that you should abstain from multivitamins completely, as they can still hold plenty of benefits to your body. You will just have to be slightly more cautious about the types of multivitamins you choose to take and avoid those containing iron or other vitamins and minerals that may affect your health.

Multivitamin Liquid Dose

Nearly all of the side effects we just discussed can be easily avoided by adhering to the recommended multivitamin dosage. The amount is normally indicated on the bottle and is designed to make sure you receive the optimal dosage of vitamins and minerals without exceeding the upper daily limit. A typical multivitamin liquid dose is usually about an ounce of liquid, though this may vary according to the specific brand or formula you choose.

Quite often, the dosage for a liquid multivitamin is universal across age groups. The liquid multivitamins dose for adults will be the same as the dose for children, teens, and the elderly. Multivitamin dosage time can also vary according to which brand or formula you choose, but on average you’ll be taking the multivitamin just once per day. When you take it is mostly up to you, though some physicians recommend consuming your dosage 1-2 hours before a meal (7). No matter what, it’s easiest to remember to take your multivitamin and to help your body get used to it if you make a habit of taking it around the same time every day. Try adding it to your morning routine so you don’t accidentally leave it out amidst your midday bustle.

Liquid Multivitamin For Adults

An excellent choice of liquid multivitamin for adults is Mary Ruth’s Liquid Morning Multivitamin. As its name indicates, this great-tasting multivitamin makes an easy addition to your morning routine. Taken on its own or added to a glass of your favorite morning juice, Mary Ruth’s Liquid Morning Multivitamin supplements your daily diet with essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, trace minerals, and amino acids. Unlike any other multivitamin liquid for adults, Mary Ruth’s formula contains is completely vegan, non-GMO, and free of the eight major allergens. It even eliminates all artificial colors and additional sugars. 

While lots of vitamins are blended into this multivitamin’s pleasant raspberry formula, you may find that the best liquid multivitamin for adults and kids alike in your household would be a more concentrated (so able to consume sublingually) all-in-one liquid solution (like our Liquid Daily), which can safely and effectively be given to every member of your family.

References

1. Petre, Alina. “Multivitamin Side Effects: Timespan and When to Be Concerned.” healthline, 14 December 2020, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/multivitamin-side-effects.
2. “Vitamins - common misconceptions.” BetterHealth, 2020, https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/vitamins-common-misconceptions.
3. “Vitamins and Minerals in Chronic Kidney Disease.” National Kidney Foundation, 31 May 2019, https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/vitamineral.
4. Paun, S. et al. “The effects of Zinc on human body, including on renal failure and renal transplantation.” Journal of Medicine and Life, vol. 5, no. 4, 2012, pp. 137-140, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6880204/.
5. Mayo Clinic Staff. “Zinc.” Mayo Clinic, 17 November 2020, https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-zinc/art-20366112.
6. “Who should not take multivitamin?” WebMD, 2021, https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-163552/multi-vitamin-oral/details/list-contraindications.
7. “Adults Multivitamin.” WebMD, 2021, https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-174730/adults-multivitamin-oral/details.