It also depends on the severity of your deficiency. Generally speaking, the more severe a vitamin or nutrient deficiency, the faster you'll notice the difference when taking supplements. However, in most cases, noticeable changes take three to six weeks. Based on current research, it usually takes 1 to 3 months of consistent supplementation to correct a vitamin deficiency.
If you have a severe vitamin deficiency, it may take longer to restore optimal levels. Because vitamins D and B12 come primarily from animal sources, vegans may take longer to correct deficiencies through dietary supplements. They may begin to experience vitamin D deficiency in the middle of winter, such as in January or February. Some studies have shown that the body can only store about 10% of any given vitamin at a time, which means that if you don't continue to replenish yourself with food or supplements after you've initially taken them, it's likely to disappear before it has had enough chance to do its job in the body.
Many vitamin B12 supplements promise instant energy, but this is often because they're loaded with caffeine or other stimulants and it's not the vitamin itself that produces the results. So, if your supplement doesn't seem to be working, don't give up just yet, as they may continue to help your body in ways you can't see. In this study on vitamin deficiencies, it was found that people who took an oral vitamin B12 supplement only absorbed 2% of the dose. In this way, certain vitamins can increase how quickly the body benefits from an infusion or vitamin supplement.
Therefore, if you have low vitamin levels and take an oral supplement, it may take 4 to 6 weeks before any effect is noticed on blood levels of that nutrient (although this varies by type of nutrient). The first thing to know about supplements is that they're not going to find a quick fix. Even so, you need to eat well and exercise if you want to enjoy full mental and body health. While some will see results in just a few days, others may take up to three months to work their magic.
When taking vitamins and supplements, it's important to remember that they are not a magic pill, but rather slow to take effect and that the body reacts to the ingredients. If a supplement gives you immediate results, rather than a gradual increase, you're probably distorting the truth. If you're deficient in vitamin D, you may notice improvements 4 to 6 weeks after taking consistent supplements. For these people, taking a vitamin B12 supplement can make a significant difference, especially compared to those who don't have a deficiency.
According to Steve Kushner, nutritional formulator, the time it takes for vitamin intake to take effect can be hours or weeks, depending on how deficient the body is in that particular supplement. You can't strengthen your immune system by eating an orange or get rid of a bad mood by taking vitamin D, but you can do that over time by taking a good supplement.
