"Take Vitamins WITH Food?" - Vitamins & Supplements Message Board

Paul Kossa · 01-31-2001, 10:06 AM

OK, I know this sounds dumb, but I'm known for these kind of questions: when they say to take vitamins WITH food, exactly what do they mean . . . ? Take them immediatly before you eat . . . immediately after you finish eating . . . or do you pop them in during the middle of the meal? Does it really matter?

Thanks.

JohnnieD · 02-01-2001, 07:47 AM

That doesn't sound dumb to me. I've been wondering the same thing, just haven't asked about it. Anybody know the answer?

Babernethy · 02-01-2001, 01:38 PM

At the time you are eating is the answer. During or when finished is OK. You need to have them in your body WITH the food in order to metabolize them along with the food you have injested. Some pure vitamins are a little hard on your system. Zinc taken alone with no food will upset your stomache even though your body needs it.
Vitamin C will put a strain on your kidneys if taken all alone.

JohnnieD · 02-01-2001, 01:43 PM

Thanks Babernathy! Now I finally get it.

Harry · 02-02-2001, 11:39 PM

Hi Paul,
Good question --I have read in several nutritional books that oil vitamins and minerals should be taken at the beginning of a meal and water soluble vitamins are taken at the end of a meal. Supplements like acidophilus are best taken between meals on an empty stomach.
Take Care----Harry