Iron and Calcium
Wait at least one hour. If your multivitamin has iron in it, take that with your iron and not your calcium. Any iron will bond with the calcium, and that's why they need to be taken separately.
Dave Chambers, 6'3" tall, 365 before RNY, 185 low, 200 currently. My profile page: product reviews, tips for your journey, hi protein snacks, hi potency delicious green tea, and personal web site.
OK, here's the deal with iron and calcium! They both are absorbed on a cellular level via the SAME receptor site, but calcium has a stronger affinity with the receptor. This means that when iron and calcium are ingested at the same time, the calcium will bond with the receptor before the iron will EVERY time. So, to enhance the absorption of iron, take the iron at least 2 hours after taking all your calcium for the day.
Also, fiber, tannic acid (found in coffees and teas), and oxylates (found in spinach, rhubarb) ALL interfer in some way with the absorption of iron, so avoid those about 2 hours before and after taking iron.
Vitamin C enhances the absorption of iron, so take those together!!!
Hope this helps!!!
Sharyn, RN
RIP, MOM ~ 5/31/1944 - 5/11/2010
RIP, DADDY ~ 9/2/1934 - 1/25/2012
Ruby R.
on 4/1/08 12:47 pm
on 4/1/08 12:47 pm
I have been taking my iron in the middle of the night when I get up to go to the bathroom, but some nights I do not take it. I want to start doing a better job in taking it. I sometimes drink Strawberry-kiwi Crystal Lite when I get up. Do you think that will interfer.?
Thanks for your help.
Patricia
Here's what I do: I take my multivitamins and calcium spaced throughout the day and then right before I go to bed I take my iron and vitamin C. That way, it's been at least 1 hour or longer since I've eaten any foods or drank any milk, coffee, or tea.
I don't think the Crystal Light will interfer. Missing it is NOT good!!! When iron gets critically low, it is difficult to get it back up, especially for RNYers!!!
Sharyn, RN
RIP, MOM ~ 5/31/1944 - 5/11/2010
RIP, DADDY ~ 9/2/1934 - 1/25/2012
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