When to Take Supplements for Maximum Effectiveness

Vitamins are a great way of supporting your body's nutritional needs. But there's a right way of doing it. 

When your body lacks essential vitamins, you do not see any improvements. Likewise, your body can't only utilise it unless you take it at the right time. So, if you are also puzzled about the right time to take multivitamins, here's an exciting read for you - 

When is the Right Time to Take Vitamins B12 and C?

Both vitamin B12 and vitamin C vitamins are water-soluble. This means that your body needs water to absorb them. However, they are well absorbed with or without food. It is advisable to take your vitamin B12 supplement along with meals. Avoid consuming them together, as vitamin C reduces your B12 vitamin absorption. You can have them at an interval of 2 hours. 

Are You Taking Your Fat-Soluble Vitamins Correctly?

Fat-soluble vitamins are A, D, E, and K. They are better absorbed with the fat content of your food. You can have them as plant-based fats such as avocado or nuts. 

Taking Your Mineral Supplements 

Zinc, magnesium, and calcium are considered essential minerals. Having all these supplements at the same time reduces their absorption. Avoid consuming mineral supplements with lycopene or beta-carotene. 

Prenatal Multivitamin Capsules are Vital, But When to Take Them?

These are mainly your iron or folic acid capsules. It is ideally recommended to take these with your evening food before sleeping. For those having morning sicknesses, avoid iron capsules, as it can trigger nausea. 

Correct Time for Your Iron Supplements?

Iron is best absorbed when your stomach is empty. You can either have it with water or choose a delicious citrus juice. The latter works well as vitamin C and iron can have tag-team effects. You can even reserve it after your meal. However, do not mix those with calcium or high calcium-containing foods. These are likely to interfere with iron. 

Multivitamin Capsules: Power-packed Solutions

Multivitamin capsules are packed with a lot of minerals and vitamins. Some people prefer having those over supplements containing a single nutrient. These are more convenient and less expensive. 

It is pretty well-versed that consuming multivitamin capsules can quickly fill nutrient gaps, particularly among elderly citizens and pregnant women. These supplements usually contain both fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins. So, it is typically advisable to consume them with a meal. 

This enhances your nutrient absorption while significantly reducing your risk of gastrointestinal issues. In case you take your multivitamins on an empty stomach, you are more prone to gastrointestinal complications. 

If you have been prescribed two multivitamin capsules daily, you may split those. Take one capsule with breakfast and one with lunch.  

Essential Tips for Buying Your Vitamin Supplements 

1. Abbreviations You Should Know 

Here are some of the essential abbreviations you should know before buying your vitamin supplements: 

2. RDA (Recommended Daily Allowance) 

This is the amount of nutrients you are required to consume every day. This amount is usually decided based on your age and sex. 

3. %DV (% Daily Value) 

This is the percentage of the nutrient in a single serving of your multivitamin capsule. 

4. UL (Upper Limit) 

This is the maximum amount of nutrients you should consume every day. 

5. Buying From a Reliable Source 

Choose a reputable company that manufactures dietary supplements. Otherwise, choose a dietary supplement company certified by a testing organization. Certain companies may or may not list all their ingredients or ingoing substances on their label. 

6. Buy Formulas Suitable for Your Age and Gender 

Vitamin supplements for seniors are more loaded with vitamins B12, calcium, and D. This is because seniors are more prone to their deficiencies. 

7. Track Your Intake of Supplements 

It would help to keep a diary of how many vitamins you consume daily and the right time to take multivitamin supplements. This information is crucial for maintaining your medical history. 

Takeaway 

Your body absorbs and processes vitamins and nutrients in a certain way. Thus, you should know the right time to take multivitamin supplements. For example, some vitamins are better absorbed on an empty stomach, while some are better absorbed with food. However, you should also know that these are different from the replacement of your foods. Foods still should remain your first choice and preference for obtaining nutrients. Talk to your nutritionist to know the right supplements for you.