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How long does it take for vitamins to work?

Everybody is after immediate effects, but vitamins rarely work that way—so how long does it take for vitamins to work?

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Heights
Heights
September 19, 2022
6 min read

When you start taking vitamins, it can be difficult to tell if they're actually working. There are so many different types of vitamins and supplements out there, with each claiming to work in a different way, and the effects can be fairly subtle in the short term, leaving you wondering whether you're getting your money's worth.

While some people claim to feel the effects right away, others don't notice anything until weeks or months down the line. So how long does it take for vitamins to work? It all depends on how your body reacts and what kind of results you're looking for.

Article breakdown

How long does it take for vitamins to work?

When taking vitamins and supplements, it's important to remember that they're not a magic pill—they take time to work, and for your body to react to the ingredients. You can't strengthen your immune system by eating an orange, or rid yourself of low mood by taking vitamin D, but you can in time by taking a good supplement.

Likewise, if you're trying to increase your energy levels or improve focus during the day by taking energy boosters like caffeine or ginseng root extract (which can be found in some supplements), understand that these effects won't last all day long—and may even cause side effects like jitters depending on how much you take.

To put it simply: don’t expect supplements to provide quick fixes. They take time to work, and if you don’t already eat a healthy diet that contains the nutrients in question, change definitely isn't going to happen overnight. If a supplement is selling you immediate results, rather than a gradual ascent, they're probably bending the truth.

How long does it take for hair, skin, and nail vitamins to work?

If you're taking hair, skin and nail vitamins, you may be wondering how long it will take for them to start having an effect. Many people want a quick fix for their hair loss or brittle nails. However, it's important to remember that vitamins are not a quick fix. They work best when they build up in your system over time.

How long it takes depends on the type of vitamin you're taking and how much you take each day. In most cases, the results are gradual but noticeable after about two months of consistent use (depending on how severe your symptoms were before).

How long does it take for vitamins to absorb in your system?

How long it takes for vitamins to be absorbed in the body depends on the type of vitamin and how it's taken. Vitamins are absorbed by the small intestine, which is connected to the stomach. They are then transported through the gut wall, eventually reaching your blood.

Vitamins can also be absorbed through your skin if you apply them topically. This happens when they're applied directly on contact with your skin and will not be fully absorbed into your bloodstream until they reach their intended location in the body (e.g., muscles).

So, if you have a lack of vitamin levels and take a supplement orally, it could take 4-6 weeks before any effects are noticed in your blood levels of that nutrient (though this varies depending on what kind of nutrient). If you use topical creams with vitamins included, results should show up much more quickly because there's less need for absorption into the bloodstream first—the ingredients are immediately applied where they'll do some good.

What happens to your body when you start taking vitamins?

When you start taking vitamins, your body will begin to absorb them, travelling through your stomach and small intestine where they’ll be absorbed into the bloodstream.

The liver then processes these nutrients into a form that can be used by the cells in your body. This process is called bioavailability, and it varies depending on what type of vitamin you're taking. Some vitamins are water-soluble and can be absorbed directly into the bloodstream, while others require processing by the liver first before they can be delivered to other organs or tissues throughout the body.

Can you feel the effects of vitamins immediately?

The amount of time it takes for bioavailability to occur depends on how quickly a person absorbs nutrients as well as how quickly their digestive system works at digesting food so that nutrients are ready when they reach their destination (i.e., cells).

Some studies have shown that the body can only store about 10% of any given vitamin at one time—meaning that if you don't continue replenishing your supply through food or supplements after taking them initially, it will likely be flushed out before it has had much chance to do its job in your body. So when it comes to supplements, persistence is key.

How do you know if vitamins are working?

When it comes to taking vitamins, there's a lot of conflicting information out there. Do vitamins work? What are the best ones? Are they dangerous? The answer to all these questions is: it depends. Supplements with natural ingredients and developed in conjunction with brain boxes that know what they're doing are much more trustworthy than those that rely on clever marketing and little substance.

The first thing you should know about supplements is that they're not going to find a quick fix—you still need to eat well and exercise if you want to enjoy full-body and mental health—and while some will see results in just a few days, others can take up to three months before working their magic. So if your supplement doesn't seem like it's working, don't give up just yet—they might still be helping your body in ways you can't see.

So, how long does it take for vitamins to work? This can be a tricky question to answer, as there are many variables at play. If you’re taking vitamins for hair growth, it may take a few months for your new locks to show up. If you’re taking them for detoxification purposes, they may not have any noticeable effect on your body until after several weeks of consistent use. But don’t worry if they don’t seem to work right away—it could just be that your body needs time to adjust before noticing any changes. So keep going, and if you're not seeing change after a few months, try seeking an alternative.