Question:
Vitamin question

Hi everyone...this is just an FYI that I would like to know. My surgeon told me to take a multi vitamin twice a day. Once in the morning and once at night. Why do they have to be taken at different times? Why can't I take two in the morning or two at night???    — Mary G. (posted on October 8, 2008)


October 8, 2008
Your body can only absorb so much at one time. It would be a waste to take two at one time.
   — Shopgrl714

October 8, 2008
Taking them at different times will allow your body to absorb more each time you take one, because it won't have as much to work with (kinda like how if you eat too much protein all at once, your body can't use all of it). Doing it that way will keep the levels more consistent in your system. It's pretty much the same reason doctors prescribe some medications to be taken twice a day. I know it can be a pain in the butt to remember, but it'll benefit you more if you can get yourself in the habit.
   — lauren_marie

October 8, 2008
Ditto to Julie's reply. Anita
   — ap2008324

October 8, 2008
Because your body can't asorb everything at once. My DR. has me take the mega multi vitamin and you only have to take it once a day
   — humper

October 8, 2008
Yep...you have a better chance absorbing more in smaller doses! Some vits counteract others too.....Vitamin enemies are Calcium and Iron... Calcium is a bully vitamin...It can bind and coat itself to other vitamins making it impossible to aborb the other vitamin....So take these at least two hours seperate from your daily vits and iron too! Fun fun! Vit friends are calcium citrate, Vit D3 and magnesium...then two hours later.... Iron, Vit C and Copper....and then B Vits all together! That pretty much covers it...You must take vits on a schedule..FOREVER! All day... everyday! Reason it was so easy for me after 4 years to just become lax and bored and sick of the tastes...Bad idea for me! I became malnourished and after 8 months fighting all my deficiencies, I am FINALLY healthy and taking my vits all dang day long again...No more excuses...I want to live a long time! Malabsorption is real and works real slow...so when you do become malnourished it's so gradual you barely notice symptoms until you are so sick you might need medical attention...That's what happened to me! Took 6 months to get healthy again!
   — .Anita R.

October 8, 2008
You only absorb 10-15% of vitamins in "pill" form, so don't waste your time or money. Just take a good "liquid" vitamin / mineral supplement like VEMMA. Liquids start to absorb in the mouth immediately. VEMMA has 1000 IU of vitamin D3, a must. And the minerals are important for bones and immune system. Go to www.TrySomeVemma.com
   — [Deactivated Member]

October 8, 2008
our hospital has us on 3 flintstone vits. a day. they perfered us to do one at a time, however, if we had a hard time remembering, go ahead and take them all at once. they just wanted us to have them.
   — peggy R.

October 8, 2008
Because of how much your body can absorb... My nutritionist said to take them 2-4 hours apart. You also need to keep the times seperate from when you take calcium as it impacts how much (zinc I believe) is absorbed from the multi. I take my calcium 2 hours apart throughout the work day and then take my multis after dinner and before bed.
   — gonnadoit

October 8, 2008
Thank you everyone...The absorption issue makes a lot of sense! :)
   — Mary G.

October 8, 2008
one word: ABSORBTION! This was a question I had too. You want your body to get the most out of everything you put into it. I was told to take 2 multi-vitamins a day, but only take one. I found one that gives me everything and more of the regular multi-vitamis: Centrum Silver Chewables. I had a reaction when taking them, a lot of people do. Lots are allergic to them. I never knew you could be allergic to a vitamin! Taking one, I don't have the reaction and my blood tests have come back great! (Some people on this site recommnd Vemma. I haven't tried it but lots swear by it.) Good Luck!
   — pattschiele

October 10, 2008
Whether you take one or two per day is a matter of the dosage of each tablet. I was taking my multivitamin in the morning until I read the "fine print" and discovered that multivitamins are best taken at bedtime. So that's what I do now. My bottom line advice to you, however, is FOLLOW YOUR DOCTOR'S ORDERS.
   — [Deactivated Member]

October 13, 2008

   — Lisa C.

October 28, 2008
Mary, I'm late in responding, but water-soluble vitamins are not long lasting, and have to be taken frequently. If you take them all at once, what your body doesn't use, it eliminates, and you lost their benefit. Oily vitamins like A, D, and E last longer. Be careful not to take the calcium and iron near the same time and that you need Vitamin D to absorb calcium. Dusty
   — Dusty Ray Vaughn




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