Question:
Do I have to wait between protien and iron or calcium?

I'm sure this question has been asked in some form or fashion before but....Do I need to wait in between taking my iron in the morning and drinking my protien or can I do them together? Same thing with calcium...any reason not to wash it down with a protien drink? I have been waiting 1 hour between but, would like to condense my protien and vitamin routine if possible. Thanks!    — eaamc (posted on November 19, 2003)


November 19, 2003
My surgeon recommends that we take a sublingual B12 pill and 2 Chewable vitamins with iron in the morning, and our calcium with lunch, dinner and before bedtime. I take my calcium immediately after eating. Hope this helps!
   — viqueenfan

November 19, 2003
You can take your protein anytime. Iron and Calcium must be taken separately. They are both absorbed in the same area so to take both of them would have them fighting against each other. I wait at least 2-3 hours between.
   — laurab

November 19, 2003
I take my pills with protein shakes. Iron and ascorbic acid (Vit. C, but only this form of C) with protein as soon as I wake up. Couple of hours later, more protein with other pills and calcium. More protein and pills in afternoon, and at bedtime. Works great for me. <p> And no, you don't have to separate protein from pills. Do wait a couple hours after your iron to eat or drink anything except water. Especially avoid coffee and tea for those 2 hours, as they can block iron absorption. <p> Good luck and great weight loss to you . . .
   — RWH G.

November 19, 2003
I know you are not supposed to take iron with anything but C, and calcium no more than 500mg at a time at least 2 hours apart from the iron. What I'm asking is - can I drink my protien with either of these without causing them to be less effective?
   — eaamc

November 19, 2003
Now I have my own personal routine, seems like I take a lot of supplements. Remember, things change and we all are different. That said-I take 2 multi, 2 vit/C, 3 iron and 4 calcium. I start with 1 of everthing in the morning---with my protein drink, then spread out 2 more calcium and 1 more iron during the day, than 1 of everthing again in the evening. Good Luck!
   — bek4901

November 19, 2003
For your Iron to work it's best it must be taken all by itself, no food or other vits or supplements. GOOD LUCK!
   — Saxbyd

November 19, 2003
Andrea ~ You're right about the C with iron, D with calcium, and iron and calcium at least two hours apart. Protein doesn't play into it anywhere. Different nutrients are absorbed at different sites along the small intestine. Calcium and iron will fight each other for the same sites, therefore the need to separate them. Protein is absorbed all along the small intestine, and so does not fight with either calcium or iron for an absorption site. Therefore, you can take protein near either iron or calcium.
   — Vespa R.

November 19, 2003
Not to discredit one of the posters, Iron is best metabolized with Vitamin C... Chris
   — chris S.

November 19, 2003
Thanks Chris, I will have to check into that the leader of our meetings told us to take nothing with it. It always helps to learn from others!
   — Saxbyd

November 19, 2003
The only problem you would have with taking the iron and protein together was if your protein powder contains lactose or you mix it with milk. Iron and dairy do not mix. <p> I take my iron and vit C as soon as I wake up - with water. Then after my shower I make up my protein (ProScore 100 - no lactose) and drink it. So about 30 minutes between, even though I could take it with the protein if I had to. I have also been known to take my Cal Citrate with my protein in the P.M.
   — Ali M




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