Why Do My Vitamins Smell?

Bird&Be 3 min read

Does your nose crinkle when you open your daily pack? It's true that some vitamins smell. And while not everyone notices a slight stink, some are extra sensitive to the smell and taste of their supplements.

But don't worry—they're supposed to smell like that

Potent and effective vitamins are typically not odor-free, and sometimes hard to get down. And because at Bird&Be we don't include fragrance or fillers to mask the smell, you might notice it.

Why do my Bird&Be vitamins smell or taste bad? Why do my supplements smell stronger over time? Why does Choline smell fishy? Why does NAC smell so bad?

Why do my Bird&Be vitamins smell or taste bad?

Strong forms in clinical doses—they smell because they work
NAC + Choline are naturally stinky *and* important for fertility (more on that in a sec)
No fragrances to mask the smell or taste

Why do my vitamins smell stronger over time?

When vitamins have been exposed to heat or stored for a longer time, the smell can sometimes be more noticeable. This doesn't affect how well they work or their potency. But, if it's bothering you, we recommend storing your supplements in a cool, dry place to help minimize any unpleasant smells.

Why does Choline smell fishy?

Choline is an essential nutrient that helps your body use fat as fuel. But it smells a bit like the ocean.

Choline is part of a family of compounds (quaternary amine) that tend to have a fishy smell, even when they're in a stable form (and especially at clinical doses). The smell can become more noticeable once you open your packet as the moisture from the air hydrates the nutrient.

What does Choline do for fertility and pregnancy?

Reduces the risk of neural tube defects
Supports liver and gallbladder health
Contributes to healthy brain and nerve function
Helps sperm motility

What does Choline do when you're postpartum?

Helps with tissue repair
Supports cognitive function
Contributes to postpartum recovery

Find Choline in the Female Fertility Power Prenatal Pack, Male Fertility Power Pack, Complete Prenatal Pack, Gentle Prenatal Pack, and the Gentle Prenatal Gummies

What Is Choline and How Does It Support Fertility?

Why does NAC smell so bad?

N-Acetyl Cystine (NAC) is a potent antioxidant recommended by fertility doctors. But it smells a bit sulfurous.

NAC often smells like sulfur because it contains a thiol group, the same chemical responsible for that "rotten egg" type smell. Thiol can also neutralize free radicals, which contribute to oxidative stress (a big problem for egg and sperm health). Even when NAC is fresh and high-quality, it can have that sulfur odor—it definitely doesn't mean your supplements have gone bad.