The Dietary Guidelines for Americans emphasizes getting nutrients primarily from food.
As a result, some supplement products may not contain the ingredients listed on the label.
A good place to start is by checking the directions on the product label of your vitamin supplement.
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Keep in mind that the guide above is just a general overview.
Your needs may vary, especially if you have acute or chronic health conditions or take prescription medications.
For most people, water-soluble vitamins can be taken at any time of day.
Water-soluble vitamins are not stored in your body, so you must replenish them regularly to avoid deficiencies.
Some experts suggest taking B12 in the morning as it is thought to offer anenergy boost.
Food does not affect absorption, but taking it with a meal may reduce nausea or upset stomach.
Choosing a consistent time of day can help you remember it.
Unlike water-soluble vitamins, they are not washed away in your urine.
Most people get enough of these vitamins from food and natural sources without adding supplements.
Excessive amounts of fat-soluble vitamin supplements can build up and becometoxic.
Check with a healthcare professional regarding dosage and safety limitations.
Vitamin A
Vitamin Ais essential for vision, immune health, and reproduction.
If you take a vitamin A supplement, its best to take it with a fat-containing meal.
Any time of day works.
As with other fat-soluble vitamins, pair vitamin D with a meal containing fat to support optimal absorption.
They can test your blood levels to see if youre deficient.
Vitamin E
Like vitamins A and D,vitamin Erequires dietary fat for proper absorption.
Taking it with meals rich in healthy fats can enhance its effectiveness.
Vitamin K
Vitamin Kis key for blood clotting and bone health.
As with other fat-soluble vitamins, it should be taken with meals that include some fat for better absorption.
Multivitamins
Multivitaminscombine water- and fat-soluble vitamins, and many also contain mineral nutrients.
Taking multivitamins on an empty stomach may cause nausea and vomiting for some people.
Digestion slows overnight, which may affect nutrient absorption.
As mentioned, many multivitamin products also contain minerals, such as calcium andmagnesium.
Minerals can bind to certain medications, like some antibiotics, and reduce their absorption.
To prevent interactions, its best to take them a few hours apart.
Consult your provider or pharmacist for guidance.
Prenatal Vitamins
Prenatal vitaminsare vital for supporting fetal development and meeting your bodys increased demands during pregnancy.
While you might take a prenatal vitamin at any time of day, pairing it with food helps reducenausea.
Be sure to check the serving size on your product label.
Some prenatal vitamins require more than one pill per day.
Multivitamins and prenatal vitamins benefit from pairing with food to maximize absorption and reduce side effects like nausea.
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