If you asked when the best time is to take vitamins, the answers you get will vary. Vitamins can be taken in the morning, afternoon, or evening depending on their types. The reason is, not all vitamins are received/absorbed in the same way by the body.

Some vitamins are better to be taken after eating, while some are supposed to taken on an empty stomach. Knowing the best time to take supplemental vitamins would enable you to get the best benefits from the vitamins you take. Different types of vitamins have their most beneficial time to be taken. You just need to adhere to it.

Here's the right time to take additional vitamins by type:

1. Water-soluble vitamins

Vitamin C and most of the B vitamins are water-soluble type. This type of vitamins is best taken on an empty stomach. You can take it 30 minutes before eating or two hours after eating.

With Vitamin C, the body will not store it as a nutritional reserve. Therefore, you should take it in small doses every day. The body will absorb enough for the daily needs and excrete the rest through urine.

Vitamins B should be taken first thing after you wake up. In a study, some types of B vitamins (B2, B6, and B12) have been shown to improve mood and reduce stress. Taking them in the morning can give you the boost to go through your day cheerfully.

2. Fat-soluble vitamins

Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble. It is better to have your intake of these vitamins at night after dinner. This is because these vitamins need fat to dissolve them in the body. All these vitamins will then be carried in the bloodstream to important body organs that need them.

Fat-soluble vitamins are best taken in small amounts as excess of vitamins not needed by the body would be stored in the liver. Excessive remain will actually be harmful to the body.

3. Vitamins for pregnant women

Studies found that for pregnant women to take their vitamins before eating will make them nauseous. Hence it is better for pregnant women to have little amount of food prior to taking their multivitamin though some nutrients, such as iron, are actually better absorbed on an empty stomach. Pregnant women's vitamins are also cumulative, so it's best to take them every day. Pregnancy vitamin such as folic acid can prevent the fetus from developing spina bifida. Please ensure that you check the content of a multivitamin before buying it and consult a doctor before taking prenatal vitamins.

4. Mineral intake

Apart from vitamins, you also need mineral intake to maintain a healthy body. Some minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, and zinc are needed every day. These nutrients are also found in health supplements available in the market.

Although actually beneficial, studies have found that taking too many minerals will be very dangerous for the body. It is better to have your additional minerals when the stomach is full.

Should you take supplemental multivitamin every day?

Taking a multivitamin or mineral may not be harmful to your body in condition that they are taken according to the dose recommended by qualified health-care provider and taken at the right time, whether before or after eating.

Apart from that, supplemental multivitamins should be taken only when the body feels the lack of the needed nutrients. Ideally, we get our fill of nutrition from the food we eat every day. Therefore, it is important to always maintain a nutritionally balanced diet and take supplemental multivitamins containing 9 vitamins and 7 minerals to help your body fit again.

Always consult your health-care provider about the vitamins you are going to take and don’t make hasty decision on them.

Reference

https://www.healthline.com/health/best-time-to-take-vitamins

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319556#other-supplements