You have done your research and have chosen to take various vitamins and/or minerals that you believe you may benefit from. Now you may be wondering: What is the best time to take vitamins?
Adding supplements to your routine may seem complicated, but once you understand when it’s best to take vitamins every day, such as in the morning or at night, you can incorporate it into your routine without going overboard. Also, by choosing when to take your supplements, you give them the best chance of being properly absorbed, allowing them to deliver the most benefit possible. Of course, you should always consult your doctor before beginning any new diet or lifestyle, including taking supplements. You should also always read and follow the instructions on the label regarding the use of the product.
Should I take vitamins in the morning or at night?
The ideal time to take vitamins and minerals really depends on what they are. Some are better absorbed with a meal, while others can be taken at any time of the day. This will influence the decision to take the supplements in the morning or at night. For example, the “fat soluble” vitamins, which include vitamins A, E, K, and D, should generally be taken with a meal, especially a meal that contains at least a small amount of fat to aid absorption. Fats like olive or coconut oil, full-fat dairy, nuts, seeds, eggs, and avocados can help your body use fat-soluble vitamins.
You can take these vitamins with breakfast or dinner, but it is best to avoid taking them on a completely empty stomach.
By contrast, “water-soluble” vitamins, including the B vitamins and vitamin C, can generally be taken in the morning or evening, with or without food, because their absorption is not dependent on the food you eat.
Taking water-soluble vitamins on an empty stomach, such as in the morning or between meals, can help your body absorb them better, but some people find it easier to take with a meal.
Best time to take multivitamins
Who benefits from taking multivitamins?
Even a quality diet is not always enough to cover all your nutritional needs. This is because not all foods found in grocery stores, including healthy foods like vegetables and fruits, are nutrient-dense if they have been grown in poor-quality soil or if they are not very fresh when they are grown. eat them. Therefore, multivitamins can help fill nutritional gaps in your diet if you cannot meet your needs through diet alone. Multivitamins are also often recommended for people on restrictive diets, such as low-calorie, low-carb, or vegan diets. Also, most older adults and pregnant women, who need more of certain nutrients, have good reason to take multivitamins regularly. In general, multivitamins provide benefits such as support for bone health, cardiovascular function, healthy immune system function, healthy energy levels, and more.
How to choose a quality multivitamin
If you’re spending money and time taking supplements, you want them to help you as much as possible with your immune system, cognitive health, heart, and more.
Look for multivitamins made with real food ingredients, which are easier for your body to recognize and use, as well as those that contain sprouted and fermented ingredients. Sprouting and fermentation allow food to partially break down to make it even easier to digest.
When is the best time to take multivitamins?
You can take your multivitamin in the morning with breakfast, which aids absorption and is often easier on the stomach, or if you prefer, in the evening with dinner. Whatever time you choose, stay consistent so you don’t run out of days.
Best time to take prenatal vitamins
Why should pregnant women take multivitamins? Pregnancy is a time when the body needs additional vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats and other nutrients, as these help the growth and development of the fetus. For example, folate and iron are very important during pregnancy because they help the body make enough red blood cells and help the development of the fetus’ central nervous system (brain, spinal cord, nerves, etc.). To ensure that mother and baby get the nutrients they need in addition to a healthy diet, it is highly recommended to take a quality prenatal multivitamin during pregnancy, which contains specialized amounts of vitamins and minerals compared to regular multivitamins. However, you should always consult your healthcare professional. In general, the benefits of prenatal vitamins include: general prenatal health, healthy fertility, healthy sleep and energy levels, and healthy blood folate levels.
How to choose a quality prenatal vitamin
Just like with regular multivitamins, opt for a prenatal supplement made with food ingredients, with no additives or fillers. You can also look for a supplement that contains fermented, methylated, or coenzymatic nutrients that are designed to promote healthy absorption and easy action in the body. In general, you should choose a supplement that provides 100% or more of the Daily Value (DV) for the 12 essential vitamins and minerals you need (including vitamins A, B, C, D, and E, as well as iron, folate, zinc and others).
Best time to take a prenatal vitamin
Prenatal vitamins contain both fat soluble and water soluble vitamins. Therefore, it is preferable to take them in the morning with breakfast, which favors absorption, or at night with dinner. As pregnant women can have sensitive stomachs during this time, some find that taking prenatal vitamins with dinner before bed is the best option. Pick a time and stick with it so you can easily remember to take your vitamins every day.
Best time to take other vitamins
Best time to take B vitamins
Ideally, take them in the morning, with water or another drink, or you can take them with food. You can and should take B vitamins together (as in a B-complex supplement) because they are most effective when taken together.
Best time to take vitamin C
At any time, with water or another drink, or with food.
Best time to take vitamin D3
Take it with a meal that contains fat, ideally in the morning or afternoon (when your body naturally produces vitamin D from sunlight).
Best time to take vitamin E
Take it with a high-fat meal, at any time of the day.
Best time to take magnesium
Ideally, take it in the morning with a meal or divide it into two small portions (morning and night). Some people may choose to take more at night to help sleep and digest the next morning.
Best time to take zinc
Take one to two hours before a meal, with water or other beverage.
Best time to take omega-3 fatty acids
Take them with a high-fat meal, at any time of the day. You can take the omega-3s in two divided servings if you need more than one capsule/serving.
What vitamins should not be taken together?
If you take a multivitamin, you will consume many different nutrients together. This is usually not a problem because you are not taking large doses of vitamins or minerals all at once.
However, in general, one should avoid taking large amounts of vitamins/minerals with other nutrients, as some may compete with each other and block absorption in the body. (As always, be sure to check with your healthcare professional.)
Vitamins/minerals that should not be taken together in large amounts include:
Vitamin C and vitamin B12
iron and calcium
Vitamin C and iron
zinc and magnesium
Calcium and Magnesium
In summary
Is it better to take vitamins in the morning or at night? It depends on the type of vitamin and what your health professional says. Water-soluble vitamins (such as the B vitamins) and most minerals can be taken at any time of day, while fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, E, D, K) should be taken with a meal, either at dinner or breakfast, to be properly absorbed. What vitamins should not be taken together? Avoid taking large amounts of different nutrients together, including spacing your intake of vitamin C, iron, magnesium, calcium, and zinc. Look for multivitamins made with real food ingredients, which are easier for your body to recognize and use, as well as those that contain sprouted and fermented ingredients.
* HealthKey strives to convey health knowledge in a language accessible to all. In NO EVENT can the information provided replace the opinion of a health professional.