Taking vitamins all at once or at separate times?

December 26, 2023 9:23 AM

I take the following supplements: iron, vitamin D, fish oil, vitamin b12. I take them all with food, at either lunch or dinner. Should I divide them up and take certain ones at lunch and certain ones at dinner, or can I take all 4 together?
posted by xo to Health & Fitness (5 answers total)

If the Vitamin D also contains Calcium (they often do), take it several hours away from the Iron for maximum absorption (Iron and Calcium compete for absorption)
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries at 9:31 AM on December 26, 2023 [2 favorites]

Iron on its own, no dairy, coffee, or tea, but do take it with orange juice or similar. I take my vitamin D at night, there's some anecdotal evidence it will help with sleep.
posted by kellyblah at 9:51 PM on December 26, 2023

I would take the vitamin D and fish oil with breakfast, the iron before bed, and the B12 either in the morning or at midday.
posted by kinddieserzeit at 4:12 AM on December 27, 2023

B12 is great in the morning, it gives you a little kick of energy.
Iron gives me an uncomfortable stomach sometimes, so I try it at night so I can sleep through it (although some brands are worse at night bc of the stomach thing).
posted by nouvelle-personne at 8:03 AM on December 27, 2023

The iron should be taken with a little vitamin C for absorption. Lots of things in food can interfere with absorption, so I take it on an empty stomach at bedtime. B12 is also involved in iron absorption, so I’d take it at night as well (although most people have ample B12 stores and don’t need to supplement). Vitamin D requires fat for absorption, so taking it with fish oil makes sense.
posted by momus_window at 9:19 AM on December 27, 2023 [1 favorite]