In this article we will be discussing a very common question: vitamins and yellow urine.
Other Urine Changes
Cloudy urine Cloudy urine can signal a number of possible problems. For women, it could be a result of vaginal discharge. Other changes that may cause cloudiness include: dehydration
urinary bladder infections and lower urinary tract infections (UTIs)
kidney disease, including kidney stones Infection can also cause white or milky-looking urine.
Temporary foaminess is usually a result of an unsteady urine flow. Some changes are harmless, while others are a sign of disease: Eating a lot of asparagus can make the urine smell like rotting cabbage. Urine that smells sweet could be a sign of diabete.
What Urine Color Says About Your Health
Each day we produce hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that’s used to transport oxygen throughout the body. But, the more hydrated you are, the more your urine becomes diluted, and the lighter it will appear. Everyone has a different “normal” color for their pee, but as long as you are somewhere on the yellow to amber spectrum, and doesn’t seem cloudy, full of particles, or have blood in it, it’s likely a normal variation.
Wellness
Does Neon Wee Mean You’Re Not Absorbing Your Vitamins?
People often panic when they see bright yellow urine after taking a supplement but it’s just the excess B vitamins being excreted and is nothing to worry about. Some vitamins (A, D, E and K) are fat-soluble and some are water-soluble (all eight B vitamins and vitamin C). The water-soluble vitamins need to be replenished every day so ensure your diet is full of colourful fruit and vegetables.
The yellow wee doesn’t mean you aren’t absorbing any of the goodness. It’s the body’s very clever way of maintaining itself – everything is carefully orchestrated and planned to perfection. More GLOSS: Why you need B vitamins
The best time to take a vitamin supplement is with a meal because the fat-soluble vitamins actually require some fat for absorption and they readily use the fat or oils in your meal.
But many people fail to get enough through their diet and as we get older our absorption and utilisation of essential vitamins and minerals can be reduced. Common deficiencies in the western world include vitamin A, B12, D3, K, iron, folate, zinc, magnesium and potassium. Other causes of urine discolouration can be more serious so if you aren’t taking a vitamin supplement (or eating lots of beetroot and rhubarb, which can turn your pee pink) go and see your doctor.
Dr Johanna Ward is the founder of Zenii Vitality and Skincare and author of Superfoods to Super Health: intelligent and sustainable food choices for the next generatio.
What Color Should Urine Be?
Your urine can range in color from nearly clear to a deep, golden amber color. I suggest checking the toilet bowl often to track the color of your urine to become familiar with your usual color pattern.
Still, keep in mind that it’s perfectly normal for the color of your urine to change throughout the day with your hydration level and the foods you eat.