There are various reasons why many people either choose to use or have to use powder vitamins for their daily vitamin and nutritional needs. Some people have difficulty swallowing tablets or capsules for purely psychological reasons. They have no physical reason why it’s a challenge for them to swallow. This author fits into that category.
When I was a teenager, I once swallowed approximately 20 vitamins in one swallow, to make a long story short, I was at camp and had gotten behind on my vitamins. I could not bring myself to throw them away, (also I wanted to be able to say that I had taken them), and I couldn’t bring them home, how disappointing for mom.
Anyway, now I find myself gagging sometimes when I try to take even two. I have no physical limitations, I just have a heightened gag reflex and it’s likely all in my head, but I’d also bet there are many people just like me.
In addition to psychological reasons, there are physical reasons why some people need to use powder vitamins instead of tablets or capsules. Older and elderly people sometimes develop difficulty swallowing, called dysphagia as they age.
There are also many conditions that can cause dysphagia like a stroke, and brain or spinal injury. Some have problems with the nervous system such as achalasia, post-polio syndrome, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and Parkinson’s disease.
An immune system problem can cause swelling, inflammation or weakness. The muscles of the esophagus may spasm. Some have Scleroderma, Gastroesophageal reflux disease, ulcers in the esophagus, Barrett’s esophagus, esophageal webs, Diverticula, esophageal tumors, masses on the outside of the esophagus like lymph nodes, tumor and bone spurs, or even just an allergic reaction. This is not an exhaustive list, but you can see many many people can have difficulty with swallowing. And, anyone who is having any of these issues is likely in desperate need of good nutrition!
One other physical limitation has been on the rise for the last few years. These people may very well have the ability to swallow, no psychological or physical reason they can’t swallow, but their physical reason is why they shouldn’t swallow. These are the people who have under gone or are going to under go some form of stomach reduction surgery for weight loss. When you stomach is the size of a peanut, swallowing even one tablet could be bad news.
The challenge for all the people who cannot use tablets or capsules for whatever reason, is to find an alternative. The alternative they need to look for should have all the vitamins, minerals and more, which are necessary for optimal nutrition. Most people who are “swallow challenged” actually can have a greater need for solid nutrition, and their answer is in supplements or powder vitamins.
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