Millions of people take vitamins daily to help maintain overall health, but not all will have a positive effect if taken at the wrong time of day, according to experts. There’s several vitamins that should not be taken at night and Eat This, Not That! Health spoke with doctors who explained why. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
Dr. David Culpepper, MD, Internal Medicine with Life MD says, “I would advise against taking B vitamins at night. This applies to B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, and B12. The reason I advise against it is because the B vitamins play a crucial role in the nervous system, specifically in the production of hormones that work in the brain, such as serotonin and melatonin. B vitamins before bed can be very activating to the brain and nervous system, and can make it very hard for you to fall asleep, or stay asleep. For that reason I suggest you take your B vitamins in the morning with breakfast.”
Dr. Monisha Bhanote, MD, Integrative & Functional Medicine says, “Multivitamins are best taken early in the day, either with breakfast or lunch. Multivitamins commonly contain fat-soluble vitamins such as D, E, A, and K, which are absorbed better by fat-containing foods. In contrast, B vitamins are water-soluble and can be taken with or without food. In order to benefit from the energy boost that B vitamins can provide, taking them earlier in the day is preferable, preferably before 2 p.m. A multivitamin or B complex that contains B6 has the potential to interfere with sleep quality and make dreams more vivid.”
Whitney Stuart MS RDN CDE, a Dietitian-Nutritionist and Diabetes Educator shares, “Vitamin D has an inverse relationship with the sleep hormone, melatonin. Taking vitamin D at night can stop or slow the natural production of melatonin.”
According to Stuart, “Vitamin C should be taken with a meal and not on an empty stomach. Taking this at night may increase issues with acid reflux and can cause an upset stomach.”
Stuart says, “Calcium stops or slows the production of naturally occurring magnesium. Magnesium allows you to relax at night.”
The Mayo Clinic states, “Calcium supplements can interact with many prescription medicines, including antibiotics, bisphosphonates and high blood pressure medications. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about possible interactions between calcium supplements and your medications. It’s also a good idea to take your calcium supplements at a different time from your multivitamin or an iron-rich meal. Calcium can affect how your body absorbs iron, zinc and magnesium.”
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