Do Supplements Still Work if You Miss a Couple of Days?

Do Supplements Still Work if You Miss a Couple of Days?

By: Marge

It’s the holidays! Some of you may be looking forward to the hustle and bustle that comes with this season—stringing up the lights, picking out gifts, planning family gatherings—and others are dreading it. No matter where on the festivity spectrum you lie, we’re all too familiar with the frenzy that is the holiday season.

When the frenzy of the season comes along, so does forgetfulness. Even forgetfulness for the seemingly most mundane of tasks, like eating the right foods, making sure you’re taking your supplements and medications, or even just getting enough sleep. You’re not alone!

Curious to know how to stay on track as best as possible this season? What happens if you unintentionally skip a few days in your supplement routine? Keep reading to find out. 

Uh-oh, I missed a few days of my supplements! 

Got super busy and accidentally miss some scheduled doses in your supplement regimen? Wondering what to do next?  We’ve got you covered. 

But first, there are some things you should know. 

  1. Supplements are not medications. Missing a couple of days in your supplement regimen is not the same as skipping a few days of medications. Why is that the case? Unlike medications, supplements do not give a cure for illness or disease. Supplements, instead, are meant to reinforce the need for nutrients like vitamins and minerals and are beneficial for certain aspects of bodily health and wellness. Supplements should never be used to replace prescribed medications, and are often only intended for use by healthy adults over the age of 18. Skipping your medication can lead to side effects and possible complications - stay diligent to stay safe if you are taking daily meds!
  1. Don’t worry - you won’t get low on nutrition overnight. Your body takes time to become significantly low on vitamins and minerals. So if you missed a few days of vitamin supplementation or ended up reheating last night’s leftovers because the day got away from you instead of making a hearty, nutritious meal. It’s okay—we’ve all been there! Next time you sit down to eat, you can make up for the lack of vitamins in your diet. Queue those leafy greens and yummy fruits. 
  2. Dietary needs vary from person to person. No two nutritional needs are the same. Supplements can help fill in those nutritional gaps or dietary deficiencies. If you have any questions or concerns when it comes to your supplement regimen, please always consult your doctor or physician for the proper guidance. 

So, what’s the deal?

The good news is that there’s no need to worry!

Missing a dietary supplement for one or more days is generally no cause for concern.[1,2] However, we always recommend talking with your primary care physician if you have any questions or concerns concerning your supplementation routine. 

Take your scheduled dose as soon as you remember, but never take more than you need! Simply return to your regular dosing schedule when you forget. Make sure you have a scheduled time each morning to take your supplements so you stay on track.

How can I continue to stay on track? 

We’re so glad you asked!

Here are a few tips and tricks to help you stay on track with not just your diet, but other essential routines and regimens this holiday season.

  1. Choose the right vitamins and supplements. Wondering where to start? Chat with your physician to see what is right for you. Oftentimes, starting with a multivitamin is your safe bet. We recommend our very own Hey Nutrition Advanced Multivitamin to begin. It consists of 13 key vitamins, plus additional minerals to establish optimal health. Our formula contains natural ingredients that are clinically proven to help boost energy, promote cardiovascular health, support immune function, improve metabolism, and more.
  2. Be active with family and friends. The holidays bring about amazing food and sweet treats. And during this time, our diet usually takes a back seat. To keep the holiday weight gain at bay, try planning physical activities with your family and friends this season. It could be something as simple as a family walk after lunch or a fun hiking trip to bond with one another. 
  3. Set timers and establish a bedtime routine. There’s so much going on during the holidays, and you’ll probably lose some sleep. It’s important to make getting enough quality sleep a priority! Lack of sleep takes a toll on pretty much every part of your body, from your heart to your brain to your immune system to your metabolism.[3,4,5] As an adult, you’ll want at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Sleep experts say that 9:00 to 10:00 PM is prime snooze time.
  4. Eat enough fruits and veggies every day. If you’ve missed a few days of your supplements, your body may be low on the necessary vitamins and minerals it needs to function properly. To curb this, make sure you are getting the daily recommended amount of fruits and vegetables regularly. Experts say that everyone should have at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and vegetables every day and that an adult portion of fruit or vegetables is 80g.[6]
  5. Keep an extra stash of your supplements in multiple places just in case. Are you prone to “out of sight, out of mind?” Be prepared and keep a pillbox handy. Do you carry a bag or purse? Make sure your supplement pillbox is among the essentials you bring along with you in case you forget to take them in the morning! Also, keep your supplements out where you can easily see them every day, like the kitchen counter instead of the cabinet. 
  6. Have an accountability partner. Sometimes it’s hard to keep ourselves motivated and in check. Have someone check in on you if you need them, whether it’s a roommate, partner, friend, or family.  You can both even do it together. Have them check in with you daily either in person, over text, or over a phone call to make sure you took your supplements!

What other supplements should I include in my routine?

If you’re curious about other essential nutrients that can boost your daily health, check these out. 

  1. Probiotics 

Good health starts in the gut. Our unique Hey Nutrition Probiotic Complex contains over 20 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) from our premium active live culture blend. This carefully formulated blend works in harmony with your body to support your immune and gut health.

  1. Collagen 

Our Collagen Complex with Hyaluronic Acid and Sea Kelp contains a super blend of ingredients that nourish your body from the inside. Our collagen formula effectively helps to promote healthy skin, hair & nails, support metabolism, promote cartilage, bone, and muscle health, and more.

  1. Turmeric

Looking for the only turmeric supplement you will ever need? Look no further than the Hey Nutrition Turmeric Extract Complex. Our ingredients are simple, but our benefits are tenfold. 

Our Turmeric Extract Complex contains potent doses of turmeric extract, black pepper extract, vitamin D and vitamin C. Our formula contains up to 20X more curcuminoids than many competing brands and ensures optimal absorption, so you can take full advantage of the many health benefits that turmeric has to offer.

Click here to get started with everyday feel-good supplements carefully crafted just for you!

Resources: 

  1. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2022, November 1). Vitamin D and related compounds (oral route, parenteral route) proper use. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/vitamin-d-and-related-compounds-oral-route-parenteral-route/proper-use/drg-20069609 
  2. Starr, R. R. (2015, March). Too little, too late: Ineffective regulation of dietary supplements in the United States. American journal of public health. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4330859/ 
  3. Myths and facts about sleep. Sleep Foundation. (2022, April 1). Retrieved from https://www.sleepfoundation.org/how-sleep-works/myths-and-facts-about-sleep 
  4. Mammoser, G. (2019, April 28). Sleep myths that harm health. Healthline. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health-news/common-sleep-myths-that-compromise-sleep-and-health#Myth-#2:-Watching-television-is-a-good-way-to-relax-before-bed 
  5. Extent and Health Consequences of Chronic Sleep Loss and Sleep Disorders. NCBI bookshelf. (2006). Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK19961/ 
  6. NHS UK. (2022). 5 A Day portion sizes. NHS choices. Retrieved from https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/5-a-day/portion-sizes/#:~:text=Everyone%20should%20have%20at%20least,fruit%20and%20vegetables%20a%20day. 
  7. Zhang, Y.-J., Li, S., Gan, R.-Y., Zhou, T., Xu, D.-P., & Li, H.-B. (2015, April 2). Impacts of gut bacteria on human health and diseases. International journal of molecular sciences. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4425030/ 
  8. Sender, R., Fuchs, S., & Milo, R. (2016, January 1). Revised estimates for the number of human and bacteria cells in the body. bioRxiv. Retrieved from https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/036103v1
Marge

Written by Marge