Doctors Reveal the Best Time To Take Multivitamins—This Simple Switch Can Seriously Boost Their Health Benefits
Stop wasting your supplements! Doctors reveal why your breakfast choice is the secret to success
Think about the little habits you do every day—for many of us, that includes taking a multivitamin. If that’s a regular part of your wellness routine, it’s clear you care about your health inside and out. And naturally, you probably want to make sure your multivitamin doesn’t just sit in your system, but actually supports your health. One key way to make sure that happens? Picking the best time to take your multivitamin—and yes, there is an ideal window to maximize its benefits.
What’s in a multivitamin?
“A multivitamin is either a capsule, tablet or gummy that contains different types of vital nutrients,” says Neal H. Patel, DO, family medicine specialist with Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Orange County, California. The dietary supplement “usually contains nutrients such as vitamin D, B [and] C, along with iron, biotin, calcium [and] other minerals. Different brands have different formulations for different age groups and different populations, such as pregnant women versus menopausal women.”
Why you may need to take a multivitamin
While getting all the vital nutrients your body needs from whole foods is ideal, it’s not always possible. That’s where multivitamins come in.
Woman's World Answers
“It is almost impossible to get optimal vitamin and mineral levels from the modern diet, with about a third of our calories coming from sugar and white flour [and] half of our vitamins and minerals lost in food processing,” says Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, author of From Fatigued to Fantastic. “Given the modern diet, unless one supplements, they will be nutritionally deficient.”
Dr. Patel adds that some diets may make nutrient gaps more likely.
“Certain people have conditions where they either have dietary restrictions or don’t eat certain foods where these vitamins are naturally present,” he explains. “For example, those who are vegan or don’t eat a lot of red meat can have a vitamin B12 deficiency. Sometimes, those who suffer from anemia or other medical conditions may also need supplements to help them, including iron [and] vitamin C,” says Dr. Patel.
What is the best time to take multivitamins?
Most of us take our vitamins in the morning with breakfast or a glass of orange juice. And it turns out that’s a smart strategy.
“The best time to take multivitamins is with breakfast,” says Dr. Teitelbaum. “This is the best time of day to optimize energy, and taking it with food improves the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Also, for those with sensitive digestion, taking a multivitamin with food avoids any [unwanted side effects such as] upset stomach. Making it part of your first meal of the day also makes it easier to remember.”
Dr. Teitelbaum also recommends including healthy fats at breakfast to support multivitamin absorption, such as:
- Olive oil
- Nuts
- Avocados
- Seeds
“A tablespoon is optimal, but a teaspoon of fat is also enough,” adds Dr. Teitelbaum. And while Dr. Patel also usually recommends his patients take a multivitamin in the morning, he says the most important factor is consistency and taking your multivitamin daily.
Does the best time to take multivitamins change by formula—gummies vs. tablets?
If you opt for a gummy multivitamin as opposed to a tablet, for example, does that change when you should take it? Our experts say the form doesn’t affect when you should take a multivitamin, but Dr. Teitelbaum notes that it does matter when it comes to how the body processes our multivitamins.
“Different forms of multivitamins vary in how absorbable they are and how much can be packed into each,” says Dr. Teitelbaum. “Capsules dissolve and absorb easier, but can’t hold as many nutrients per pill. Gummies have the benefits of tasting like candy, so it is easier to get children to take them. But they hold less nutrients than capsules or tablets. Liquids can give optimal absorption and hold more nutrients, but are expensive to ship and may be less stable.”
So what multivitamin form does Dr. Teitelbaum recommend? “Multi-nutrient powders have the best absorption, can carry dozens of pills’ worth of nutrients in a single daily drink, have excellent stability and offer the best ‘bang for the buck.’”
The bottom line on multivitamins
Taking your multivitamin with breakfast—alongside a source of healthy fat—is your best bet for maximum absorption and minimal stomach upset. And remember, consistency also matters. If nothing else, pick a time that works for your routine and stick with it. Your body will thank you!
Conversation
All comments are subject to our Community Guidelines. Woman's World does not endorse the opinions and views shared by our readers in our comment sections. Our comments section is a place where readers can engage in healthy, productive, lively, and respectful discussions. Offensive language, hate speech, personal attacks, and/or defamatory statements are not permitted. Advertising or spam is also prohibited.
