When is the Best Time to Take Vitamins
Have you ever wondered why entire stores are given over to vitamins and supplements? The Vitamin Shoppe is a thriving franchise as Americans take an increasing number of tablets in an effort to feel better. Gildshire knows that it wasn’t always this way. Great-Grandpa had arthritis. He rubbed what he called “liniment” on it, but that was pretty much it. Were our ancestors ill-informed or, were they on to something with a cleaner diet, working in the fresh air, and playing outside?
Well, the simple truth is, our ancestors were on to something by spending many more hours outside than we do today. Would they be more like we are today if they had videoes of cute kitties? Probably not, but we will never know. Be that as it may, fewer and fewer people are adopting the farm and country lifestyle that was the 1800s.
Is it better to take vitamins in the morning or at night?
So, we need (or think we do, anyway) supplements to make us feel better, if only for a day. But, when is the best time to take these vitamins and supplements?
For the answer to this question, we went to Neil Levin. He is a clinical nutritionist and an acknowledged expert in the field. His answer:
“Multivitamins {or individual vitamins adding up to a multivitamin} tend to do best when taken earlier in the day. B vitamins stimulate metabolism and brain function too much for a relaxing evening or before bed.”
What vitamins should not be taken together?
That answers our question about “when,” but some experts worry about another potential problem. Namely, vitamin doses and the co-mingling of too many vitamins together. We all know there can be too much of any one vitamin. Do all of the vitamins on the shelf play well together? As it turns out, the answer is an unqualified “no.” Melissa Sammy had this to say in an article on the website, mdlinx.com.
“Both copper and zinc are imperative for optimal immune health, including internal and external healing. They work closely together to improve wound elasticity and resistance. But, zinc can interfere with copper absorption.”
We all know about the importance of iron to our wellbeing and immune health. Iron enhances oxygen transport, hemoglobin, the elimination of free radicals, and other processes. But, if you mix it with vitamin C, not only will the iron not work efficiently, it will actually work in the opposite direction!
Can I take multivitamins and vitamin D?
Likewise, a problem can develop if you mix a multivitamin and Vitamin D. As it turns out, Vitamin A can decrease vitamin D uptake. So, if you are Vitamin D deficient, taking a multivitamin might not fill your nutritional gap.
Is it better to take a multivitamin or individual vitamins?
When is the Best Time to Take Vitamins? This gentleman chooses an individual vitamin set over a multivitamin. Is he right to do so?
Finally, with the opening of the multivitamin door, we come to one of the biggest questions people ask. Are multivitamins convenient “health in a bottle?” Or, are they the next best thing to worthless?
In an over-the-counter multi, two of the most crucial nutrients for our health are often not included or included in small amounts (≤ 250 mg). That would be calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg). As macronutrients, they need to be attained in high quantities. The minimum daily requirement of Ca for people aged 51-70 is 1,000 mg. The daily requirement for magnesium is 320 mg.
So what makes it complicated? The Western diet is nutrient-deficient, and significant nutritional lifestyle changes would be best. How many of us are willing to make those kinds of changes? Therefore, for most of us, a multivitamin is better than no vitamin at all. But, the research and expense of an individual vitamin regimen could result in a health benefit.
Of course, the option of getting out to the field and climbing on the one-person plow is still on the table. Let’s set our alarm for, shall we say, 4 am?
