Combining supplements usually doesn't interfere with how they work and, in some cases, can be beneficial; for example, vitamin C helps iron absorption. Whether you take a daily multivitamin to improve your overall health or you rely on herbal supplements to fill nutritional gaps, it's important to be aware of potential interactions.
Vitamins
are organic compounds that are essential in small amounts for normal metabolism. The joint intake of certain vitamins can affect their absorption into the body, sometimes worsening bioavailability and other times improving bioavailability.In addition, some vitamins can interfere with the effectiveness of medication and even aggravate side effects. While measurement of serum levels of several vitamins is widely available, testing for deficiencies is generally not necessary. Here's What You Need to Know About Using Vitamin Supplements wisely. It's also important to know which vitamins should not be taken together.
These are the supplements that don't go together or don't go with food. Some combinations should be avoided, even if they are not inherently problematic. For example, while it's safe to take vitamin D with vitamin B12, it's not recommended, says Dr. Virgilio Sanchez, board-certified family medicine physician at the Conviva Care Center in Miami, Florida.
This is because vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is best absorbed with food, while B-12 is a water-soluble vitamin that should be taken on an empty stomach, says Dr. The same goes for vitamin C and vitamin D, which must be taken at different times. In general, water-soluble vitamins can be taken together without food, and fat-soluble vitamins can be taken along with foods that contain healthy fats. The following supplement combinations may be more effective when combined:.
Vitamin D and vitamin K (especially K) complement each other, Dra. Vitamin K1, or phylloquinone, is present in dark green leafy vegetables, while vitamin K2 (menaquinones) is found in fermented and animal foods. Research indicates that the two fat-soluble vitamins (vitamin D and vitamin K) work synergistically to ensure that bones absorb calcium instead of accumulating in the arteries. Fat-soluble vitamins, such as A, D, E, and K, can be taken at the same time.
According to Dr. Sean Ormond, an interventional pain doctor at Atlas Pain Specialists in Phoenix, Arizona, fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the body's liver, fat, and muscles, and must be taken with the fat from a meal for the body to better absorb and use them. Healthy plant-based foods like avocados or nuts work well, Dr. When it comes to combining copper with zinc, it's all about balance.
Zinc interferes with copper absorption, but taking too much zinc can even cause a copper deficiency. If you are taking zinc, it is recommended that you also take a 2 mg copper supplement to support the balance of these two minerals in the body. Taking these two supplements together may improve heart health. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fats that can protect against medical conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.
Vitamin E is an important nutrient with antioxidant properties that improves the immune system. A small study of 60 male patients with coronary artery disease found that a combination of omega-3 and vitamin E had beneficial effects on serum insulin and insulin resistance. Research has linked the decline in insulin resistance to the development of heart disease. Ask your provider if you would benefit from this combination.
Iron is the most common nutrient deficiency in the United States. The mineral is vital for the optimal functioning of the human body; it is an important component of hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygenated blood from the lungs to other areas of the body. Iron deficiency, or anemia, prevents this process, causing fatigue and making it necessary to supplement with iron. If there are no known interactions between vitamins, it's okay to take several vitamins at once, Litt says.
If you're not sure if there's an interaction, contact your healthcare provider. Pharmacy names, logos, brands, and other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. There is some evidence that taking high amounts of vitamin C (more than 1500 mg) may reduce copper absorption. People take vitamin C supplements for several reasons, including to help fight infections, reduce pain after surgery, or lower blood pressure.
Airey, some studies have shown that vitamin C could break down vitamin B12 in the digestive tract, reducing the absorption of B12. Some providers suggest combining iron with vitamin C to maximize its absorption, but it's not yet known if this is true. But if you take magnesium, Erin Stokes, ND, recommends not taking it at the same time as the multivitamin, as it can interfere with the absorption of the smaller minerals found in the multivitamin, such as iron and zinc. .
