Did you invest in pure supplements and other vitamins to improve your overall health and nutrition intake? That’s great!
However, you may come with extra questions, with one important one being, ‘when should I take my supplements?’
Read on to learn when you should take your vitamins and how to properly take them.
When to Take Supplements
Whether you’re taking pure encapsulations from Supplement First or other reputable supplement brands, the best time to take vitamins and supplements would depend on what kind of supplements you take. Some vitamins are best to consume after meals, while others are best taken on an empty stomach.
Not every vitamin or nutrient will break down in bodies the exact same way, which is why you should know the specific times to take certain supplements.
Here are the popular vitamins and supplements and when you should take them:
Prenatal Vitamins
Prenatal vitamins are multivitamins so it’s best to take them before lunch for your body to absorb all of its nutrients. Some pregnant women report that taking prenatal vitamins can cause a few symptoms, including constipation and nausea. That’s why it’s best to take vitamins on an empty stomach.
If ever you don’t like taking supplements or vitamins after waking up, you can take them right before bedtime.
Fat-Soluble Vitamins
The best time to take these types of supplements would be with your dinner. This is because fat-soluble vitamins dissolve in our bodies using fat. Afterward, they will be carried to the bloodstream, performing necessary functions.
If ever our bodies receive more fat-soluble vitamins, they will be stored in our liver. Besides taking them with dinner, it’s best to have a meal with saturated fats and/or oils for better vitamin absorption.
Water-Soluble Vitamins
For water-soluble vitamins and supplements, they absorb well when taken on an empty stomach. You can take them once you wake up, 30 minutes before a meal, or 2 hours after meals.
This is because water-soluble vitamins will dissolve in water for our bodies to use. Our bodies take the necessary amount of vitamins then flush everything else through urination.
B-Vitamins
You will want to take B-vitamin supplements on an empty stomach, ideally after you wake up. These are energy-boosting and relieve stress, which is why you’ll want to take it before a hard day’s work!
What to Avoid
Besides the information above, make sure you avoid doing these as you take your supplements:
- Do NOT overdose on vitamins as some of them would cause side effects. Only take the recommended amount and be sure that the supplements don’t negatively interact with your other prescribed medications.
- Look into the food you eat to avoid getting too much of certain vitamins. For instance, cereals, grains, and enriched dairy may have extra vitamins that can cause side effects when you are already taking supplements.
Wrapping It Up
Now that you know when you should take your supplements, keep to a healthy schedule depending on what you take.
