Taking supplements at the right time can help ensure that your body gets all the nutrients it needs. Water-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin C and B, including folate, are best taken on an empty stomach. This is because the body takes what it needs from these vitamins and excretes the rest through the urine, meaning that it doesn't need food to be absorbed.
Iron
, another important supplement, is also better absorbed when taken on an empty stomach, one to two hours before a meal.Vitamin A supplements should be taken with a meal that contains fat.
Vitamin E
should be taken on an empty stomach or not. To promote optimal absorption, it is beneficial to take supplements at the same time every day.Vitamin D
can be taken at any time of the day and most of these supplements should be taken with meals or snacks that contain fat.The mega-dose of fiber in a supplement can interfere with the absorption of medications and other nutrients, so it's best to take it separately from your prescriptions, meals, and other vitamins. If remembering to take a supplement several times a day seems overwhelming, you can opt for a vitamin that contains a full daily dose in one capsule. Knowing when to take supplements can help you make sure your body gets all the nutrients it needs for optimal health.
Tips for Maximizing Supplement Absorption
To ensure that your body is getting the most out of your supplements, here are some tips:- Water-soluble vitamins: Take these on an empty stomach for optimal absorption.
- Iron: Take one to two hours before a meal.
- Vitamin A: Take with a meal that contains fat.
- Vitamin E: Take on an empty stomach or not.
- Vitamin D: Take at any time of the day with meals or snacks that contain fat.
- Fiber: Take separately from medications, meals, and other vitamins.
- Full daily dose: Consider taking one capsule with a full daily dose if remembering to take multiple supplements is difficult.
