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Unlike what is considered, not everyone needs multivitamins. Integrated nutritionist and health coach Karishma Shah told us, “All problems won’t go away if you take a single multivitamin, especially if you have digestive, hormonal, or any other medical issues”.
Supplements must go hand-in-hand with other measures like exercise and a healthy diet to have a corrective effect.
Do you need multivitamins?
You must first ascertain whether you even need to take any supplements. Certified nutritionist Dr Rohini Patil suggested consulting with a healthcare professional for a comprehensive evaluation. “They can guide whether a multivitamin is necessary based on your specific needs, and blood tests if necessary,” she said.
When you’ve determined you need supplements in your diet, it is imperative to learn which of them shouldn’t be taken on an empty stomach as doing that may upset your gut-intestinal tract, said Shah.
Which multivitamins shouldn’t be taken on an empty stomach?
There are two types of vitamins: fat-soluble and water-soluble. Water-soluble vitamins like B and C are generally safe to be taken on an empty stomach except when they’re of a high dose as that has been known to create digestive issues in some individuals.
The fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K are better absorbed when taken with some dietary fat. According to Shah, taking them on an empty stomach may hamper their absorption. Hence, they’re generally advised to be taken with meals as otherwise, it might lead to abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Even though iron is better absorbed on an empty stomach, Dr Samrat Shah, senior consultant of Internal Medicine at Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, recommended taking iron-containing multivitamins with food. “Taking iron supplements on an empty stomach can cause gastrointestinal side effects like nausea, abdominal pain, and constipation,” he said.
Dr Patil added that calcium supplements should be taken separately from iron supplements, as they can interfere with each other’s absorption.
What is the correct dosage for multivitamins?
The dosage is dependent on a multitude of factors like your age, sex, health, and nutrient requirements so it is always preferable to consult with a healthcare professional before deciding on it, especially for those with prior health conditions and medications.
According to Shah, the excess of a certain vitamin in your body can be extremely harmful to your organs. “Water-soluble ones can still be passed through urine but those soluble in fat have no way to come out of the system.”
If you’re someone with optimum health and no other health conditions, Shah suggested having a single multivitamin pill after a meal.
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