“Digestion slows down during sleep, so taking your nutrient supplement late at night would not be associated with an efficient absorption.” Neil Levin, a clinical nutritionist at NOW Foods, agrees that morning is best for multivitamins and any B vitamins.
You should take your multivitamins in the morning with a meal so you can ease absorption. However, if that causes stomach pain, try taking it before bed. Remember, the most important thing is to make them a part of your daily routine.
As this article makes clear, some multivitamins are just fine to take at night. But you'll want to make sure that your multivitamin is high quality and contains exactly what you're looking for. If your multivitamin contains magnesium, or if it's addressing certain vitamin deficiencies, it may even enhance your sleep!
Water-soluble vitamins are best taken on an empty stomach. They'll be best absorbed if consumed first thing in the morning, Healthline reported. You can also take them 30 minutes before eating or two hours after breakfast, lunch or dinner. Water-soluble vitamins include vitamin C, B vitamins, and folic acid.
Certain vitamins, like those believed to aid in supporting your energy levels, may actually interfere with your sleep if you take them too close to bedtime, and on the other hand, some vitamins can help promote a deeper, more restful sleep.
Supplementing vitamin B6 may improve sleep quality and duration. A 2019 study also found that taking a supplement of magnesium, melatonin, and vitamin B complex for 3 months improved sleep and helped treat insomnia.
When is the best time to take multivitamins? Because multivitamins contain a mixture of both fat and water-soluble vitamins, in general it's best to take them with a meal for optimal absorption [1].
Combining multiple supplements or taking higher-than-recommended doses can increase the risk that they can cause harm, said Kitchin. "You really can't get toxic doses of nutrients through food, but you can absolutely get toxic doses through supplements," Kitchin said.
For most of your supplements—including your daily multivitamin—you should take them with your largest meal of the day, such as lunch or dinner. Ideally, the meal should contain some fat (think fatty fish, avocado, eggs, or nuts) to allow optimal absorption of the fat-soluble vitamins.
Taking vitamins when there's no food in your belly can cause stomach upset, says Becker. Don't make it part of your nightcap, either. Since most of the vitamins in a multivitamin help your body make energy, taking it too close to bedtime can keep you up at night.
In general, taking vitamins on an empty stomach is not bad for you. But be sure to take any supplement as recommended on the product label or as directed by your health-care practitioner. You might experience an upset stomach if you take too many supplements at once.
Vitamin B12 and vitamin D are the most recommended morning vitamins. They also help to avoid fatigue and weakness, as well as provide other benefits for your body, such as minimising the risk of anaemia and chronic illnesses. Coffee and green tea are the most popular morning drinks for energy.
B Vitamins
B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyridoxine), B7 (biotin), B9 (folic acid), and B12 (cobalamin). Like vitamin D, B vitamins don't provide energy on their own. “However,” says Michels, “You still need to consume them daily to support energy metabolism.
Vitamins A, D, E and K are fat-soluble vitamins, and shouldn't be taken on an empty stomach. "The best time to take vitamin D and other fat-soluble vitamins is after you've eaten foods that contain fat," recommends Cleveland Clinic.
Magnesium assists in the activation of vitamin D, which helps regulate calcium and phosphate homeostasis to influence the growth and maintenance of bones. All of the enzymes that metabolize vitamin D seem to require magnesium, which acts as a cofactor in the enzymatic reactions in the liver and kidneys.
The short and simple answer is: Yes! Vitamins C and D are commonly found together in multivitamins. They have complementary effects, which means that taking them together can better support your health. They're particularly beneficial to the immune system.
Try to avoid taking your vitamins with coffee or tea
So, wait an hour after your morning brew to take supplements. Caffeine-free herbal tea, on the other hand, contains fewer tannins than regular tea. This beverage may actually increase the absorption of certain minerals such as iron.
Nearly all supplements are meant to be taken on a daily basis, and it can be beneficial to ensure that you're taking each individual supplement at the same time each day. For example, if you take your multivitamin first thing in the morning, try to do this each and every day for consistency's sake.
While taking a multivitamin and drinking a cup of coffee isn't generally dangerous, you might not be getting all of the nutrients your supplement has to offer. You're better off waiting until after you finish that cup of joe.
Umeda recommends taking the supplement about 30 minutes before bedtime. And don't take more than the recommended amount. More won't help you sleep better, but it may cause stomach upset. While magnesium might improve your slumber, it's no substitute for a good sleep routine, Dr.
B vitamins like B12 and B6 may help relieve stress, support cognitive function, and reduce feelings of depression and anxiety [2, 3, 4]. An Oxford study found that optimal B12 levels support brain health.