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[tolerant]

So I have a tub full of supplements which has been sitting in a shed for probably the last six months, so it's been there throughout the Southern Hemisphere winter. It has boxes stacked on top of it. About three months ago or so I tried to lift the lid of the tub -- maybe I was looking for something or just wanting to see what's in there -- and part of the "brim" of the lid snapped off, so since then, there's been a small "hole" in the lid, exposing the tub to air. It is still sitting in the shed. I was wondering whether these supplements were still good. I'm thinking since each has a desiccant inside, there should be no problem. Any thoughts?

[pamojja]

It depends on the individual supplement. Most come with obligatory use before 2 years date. However, some agents like for example aspirin have been found minimally degraded after even 10 years. Something like 97% effective compared to new, if I remember right.

 

Then also it depends on form. For example in Ayurveda there is the rule of dumb, that powdered herbs retain most of their effects for half a year only (which doesn't means there completely useless afterwards, just not as in their prime), capsuled powders 1-2 years, and pressed pills even longer.

 

So if there are no visible or olfactory signs of real degradation, which is very unlikely in 6 months and the usual expiry-length of 2 years and desiccants, I really see no reason to worry. Maybe just 10% less effective than fresh, at the most. But then supplements come at certain strength anyway, and the same dose for a heavy weight person compared to light weight person might just by that even be 50% less effective.