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What Vitamins Can I Take Together

Vitamin K And Blood Thinners

How do vitamins work? – Ginnie Trinh Nguyen

Some vitamins and supplements can interfere with blood-thinning blood pressure drugs, Dr. Glatter says. Vitamin Keven in foods such as kale, lettuce, broccoli, and chickpeascan counteract a blood thinners benefits. This is one of the more common food-drug reactions. Echinacea, a popular cold remedy, may decrease the effectiveness of blood thinners, and increase stroke risk, Dr. Glatter says. This is a big one to be aware of. These are some other foods you shouldnt eat with certain medications.

Mixing Medications And Dietary Supplements Can Endanger Your Health

Dietary supplements may contain ingredients that can have strong effects in the body. Talk with a health care professional before taking supplements.

When you take prescription or over-the-counter medications, do you also take a vitamin, mineral, or other dietary supplement? Have you considered whether there is any danger in mixing medications and dietary supplements?

There could be. Certain dietary supplements can change absorption, metabolism, or excretion of a medication. If that happens, it can affect the potency of your medication, which means you may get either too much or too little of the medication you need.

Which Vitamins Should Not Be Taken Together

While most vitamins come to us neatly packaged as part of a meal, you might want to be careful if you are combining certain vitamins as dietary supplements.

Dr. Brewer says that if the majority of vitamins coexist with each other in food sources, we dont need to worry too much about combining them to adverse effects. As all vitamins are found in various combinations in food there is no robust reason why particular vitamins should not be taken together at normal intakes and all vitamins are found in a multivitamin supplement, for example, she says. Once you get into the realms of super dosing, however then some minerals should not be combined as they can interfere with each others absorption. For example, the risk of copper deficiency is greater when zinc intakes are high. The ideal dietary ratio of copper to zinc is 1:10.

A review in the journal Nutrition highlights that while we dont know much about the impact caused by vitamin deficiencies, mineral deficiencies show a very clear drop in performance, affecting muscle function and work capacity.

A review in Nutrition Reviews also mentions that Vitamin E and Vitamin K interactions are not yet understood and impacts are dramatic in some people and not others.

For more on supplements, find out do anti-aging vitamins work? Or, discover the best B12 supplements.

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If You Take Iron Supplements

You absorb iron best on an empty stomach. Take it with water or, better yet, a citrus juice: Iron and vitamin C have a tag-team effect. If it makes you queasy, save it for right after a meal. But donât mix it with calcium or high-calcium foods — these interfere with iron. You wonât take in either one fully. Men and postmenopausal women should skip supplements with this mineral unless a doctor says otherwise. The average MVM has more than you need.

Do Drug Interactions Occur Often

Which Vitamins Should Not Be Taken Together at the Same Time ...

Major drug interactions that are life-threatening are not common, but are of serious concern. Most drug interactions listed in package labeling may be theoretical based on a drug’s pharmacology. However, if you can avoid a possible drug interaction by selecting a different medication, that is always your best bet.

Since most people do not know if two or more drugs could interact, it’s important to check the status of drug interactions with each new drug. In fact, for some drugs, stopping the medication could also affect the levels of other drugs in your system. Being proactive in your own health, checking for drug interactions, and discussing concerns with your healthcare provider can be a life-saving task.

How often a drug interaction occurs, and your risk for a drug interaction, also depends upon factors such as:

  • Total number of medications you take
  • Age, kidney and liver function
  • Diet and possible drug interactions
  • Medical conditions
  • Metabolic enzymes in your body and your genetics

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Be Aware Of Your Dosage

Taking too much of a good thing can actually be a bad thing, Rodgers warns, and this is especially true for supplements. Too much zinc can throw off your copper levels, and too much iron can cause metal buildup in the heart and lungs, she says. Most vitamins are water-soluble, so your body flushes out any excess that it does not absorb, but others are fat-soluble, so they can build up to toxic levels when consumed excessively over time. Getting too much of certain vitamins or minerals also can lead to unpleasant side effects like vomiting, diarrhea and nausea, so its best to be informed about how much to take.

Vitamin Combinations To Avoid

Vitamin C with vitamin B-12

Vitamin C is an essential antioxidant for immune system health. Vitamin B-12 helps maintain your nervous system and form red blood cells. Studies show that taking these two supplements at the same time may reduce the amount of vitamin B-12 that you receive. So, experts recommend taking these supplements at least two hours apart.

Vitamin A supplement with vitamin A-rich foods

Since vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin, any excess is stored in the body. So, you don’t need to take vitamin A every single day. Too much vitamin A can lead to weaker bones and more bone fractures as you age. It can also be harmful to unborn babies.

If you are pregnant or take a vitamin A supplement, avoid eating liver or liver paté. These foods are so high in vitamin A that even if you do not take a vitamin A supplement, you should only eat them once a week to avoid consuming too much.

Folic acid and vitamin B12

While both of these B vitamins are important, taking too much folic acid or folate can actually hide the symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency. So, speak to your doctor to verify your vitamin levels before adding these supplements to your regimen.

Vitamin E and vitamin K

It is well documented that vitamin E supplementation can lead to increased bleeding in some people. Some doctors prescribe a vitamin K supplement to help with blood clotting. Taking vitamin E at the same time can counteract the effects of vitamin K.

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Know When To Take A Supplement With Food

Whether or not to take a supplement with food all depends on the supplement because some are best with and some are best without. For example, Toronto-based naturopathic doctor Rachel Corradetti, ND, points out that dairy products and iron dont go well together, whereas oranges and iron are great. Probiotics are often better with food, too. Take a look at the supplements you are using to determine which are best with and without food so that you are getting the most out of your products, she adds.

Which Vitamins Are Compatible With Each Other

Do You Need to Take Vitamin K2 with Vitamin D3?

Here are three supplement combinations that should be taken at all times

  • Magnesium and vitamin D3 are two essential minerals. Magnesium and vitamin D3 supplements can be taken together to keep the body in good working order.
  • Vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids.
  • Magnesium and zinc are two minerals that are essential for good health.

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Calcium And Iron Absorption

Iron-deficiency anemia is the most common type of anemia and develops when you’re not getting enough iron-rich foods, per the Mayo Clinic. Those diagnosed with this condition are typically advised to increase their dietary iron through foods, including beef and other meats, beans, lentils, dark green leafy vegetables and dried fruit. Your doctor may also suggest an iron supplement.

According to the NIH, taking calcium supplements may not allow your body to effectively absorb all the iron from your supplement, so it’s recommended to take your iron and calcium supplements several hours apart to avoid this interaction.

Can I Take All Of My Vitamins Together Or Even With My Other Medications

In general, many of your vitamins can be taken together. However, always check the label directions to ensure there are no specific interactions.

One such example is calcium and iron, which should not be taken together . Also check the label directions to see if any of your vitamins need to be taken with food or on an empty stomach in which case you may need to take them separately.

In terms of medications, while some supplements actually assist in making up for nutrients that can be depleted while taking prescription drugs , your doctor can guide you on what to take when to ensure maximum safety and absorption.

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Make Food Your Plan A

With hundreds of supplements available, itâs hard to believe that not every nutrient in whole foods has been captured in a capsule. Thatâs why eating a variety of healthy foods is the best way to meet your health needs. But if youâre low on a certain vitamin or mineral, or just want to cover all bases with a daily MVM , these tips will help you get the most from it.

St Johns Wort And Antidepressants

How To Take Vitamins Properly

You need to be wary of over-the-counter or prescription drugs that can interact poorly with supplements, says Robert Glatter, MD, an assistant professor of emergency medicine at Northwell Health in New York City. For example, St. Johns wort may cause fever, confusion, and anxiety if its taken with other antidepressants. Antidepressants and St Johns wort both increase levels of the feel-good brain chemical serotonin. This can cause serotonin syndrome and in severe cases, it may lead to muscle rigidity and seizures, he says.

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Folate Supplements And B12 Deficiency

Vitamin B12 and folate are both commonly prescribed supplements, with the latter being especially important during pregnancy. Older adults, those following a vegan diet and individuals with gastrointestinal disorders are encouraged to take a B12 supplement. While taking folate and vitamin B12 at the same time is not problematic in general, higher folate levels can mask a B12 deficiency.

The problem? Low levels of vitamin B12 can lead to megaloblastic anemia, a condition in which the red blood cells are unusually large, but decreased in number. Taking large amounts of folate can correct the anemia, making you think that you are good to go. However, if the underlying B12 deficiency is not addressed and corrected, permanent nerve damage can result, according to the National Institutes of Health .

If you are at risk for a B12 deficiency, seek your doctor’s advice regarding proper supplementation. And keep in mind that you should never consume more than 1,000 micrograms of folic acid from fortified foods or supplements unless directed by your doctor.

High Doses Of Vitamin Supplements Are Unsafe

Many people mistakenly believe that since small amounts of vitamins are good for you, then large amounts must be better. However, it is better to follow the rule of less is more.

Taking higher than recommended doses of some vitamins may cause health problems. Such as:

  • Vitamins A, D, E and K are fat soluble, which means they are stored in the body and if taken in high doses can be toxic.
  • High doses of some water-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin B6, can also become toxic.
  • Large folate intakes can hide vitamin B12 deficiencies.
  • High levels of vitamin B6 have also been linked to some types of nerve damage.
  • Doses of vitamin C above one gram can cause diarrhoea.
  • Large doses of vitamin C may also cause nausea, abdominal cramps, headaches, fatigue, kidney stones interfere with your bodys ability to process other nutrients such as dangerously raising your iron levels.
  • Excessive amounts of vitamin C in the body can also interfere with medical tests such as diabetes tests, by giving a false result.
  • High doses of vitamin A may cause birth defects, as well as central nervous system, liver, bone and skin disorders.
  • High-dose vitamin E supplements have been linked to higher rates of early death .

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Know What Each Supplement Is For

This may sound very obvious, but Connors has seen firsthand clients who dont understand all the uses for a certain supplement. This is important because a supplement that is meant to help with sleep, for example, generally wont be something youd want to take during the day. If you are using a product and you arent aware that it can cause drowsiness, then that can be a safety issue, she says. Be sure that you know all the possible uses and side effects of a product before you begin using it so you know that it is safe for your health.

Vitamins And Minerals Are Obtained From Food

Should you take vitamins?

Research indicates that most of the vitamins you get from the food you eat are better than those contained in pills. Even though vitamins in supplements are synthesised to the exact chemical composition of naturally-occurring vitamins, they still dont seem to work as well.

The main exception to this is folate. The synthetic form is better absorbed by the body than folate from food sources.

Food is a complex source of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals , which all work together. Supplements tend to work in isolation. Research shows a food component that has an effect on the body may not have the same effect when it is isolated and taken as a supplement. This could be because the vitamins and minerals in foods are also influenced by other components of the food, not just the active ingredient.

Phytochemicals are an important component of food and are thought to reduce the incidence of heart disease and some cancers. Supplements do not provide the benefits of phytochemicals and other components found in food. Taking vitamin and mineral supplements is no substitute for a healthy diet.

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  • Vitamins are organic compounds used by the body in small amounts for various metabolic processes.
  • Vitamin supplements cannot replace a healthy diet.
  • Those who may need vitamin supplements include women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, people who consume alcohol in amounts over those recommended as safe, drug users and the elderly.
  • Taking vitamins and mineral supplements in large doses can be harmful to your health and cause toxicity.

Is It Safe To Combine Magnesium And Vitamin D

Is it okay for me to combine magnesium with other minerals and vitamins? Yes. Vitamins and minerals act in tandem and rely on one another to function properly. Magnesium aids in the absorption and utilization of minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as vitamins such as vitamin D.

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What Type Of Vitamins Should You Take

Before taking vitamin supplements, its important to understand the various kinds of vitamins. As always, it is important to check with your health care professional regarding which supplements are right for you.

Vitamins are broken down into two groups: water-soluble , and fat-soluble vitamins .i The difference between these two groups is that fat-soluble vitamins dissolve in fat before being absorbed into the bloodstreamii, while water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water and are not stored in the bodythey are usually eliminated in the urine.iii Since water-soluble vitamins aren’t stored in the body, you may need them more often.

Theres also the question of form: gummy, chewable, or swallowable capsule or tablet? If you have difficulty swallowing pills or simply dont like doing it, then a chewable or gummy vitamin might be a better option for you. Gummies and chewable typically come in fruity flavors and fun colors that can make taking your daily supplements feel a little more enjoyable.

If you follow a special diet, the type of vitamin you take may also be in question. Some supplements contain animal products, so make sure to read the full ingredient list before putting anything in your cart.

What Is Vitamin K2

Can You Take Vitamin B Complex &  Vitamin C Together?

Vitamin K is another fat-soluble vitamin that exists in two forms: vitamin K1 and vitamin K2 . Vitamin K2 is the more bioavailable form, and it remains in the body longer. It further breaks down into different subtypes called its menaquinone forms.

Here are the important menaquinones forms:

  • MK-4 This is a rapidly absorbed form that helps calcium get into the bone matrix.
  • Trans-MK-7 This form remains bioavailable to the human body over a sustained period and helps keep your arteries healthy and flexible.
  • MK-6 and MK-9 These forms are associated with better overall cardiovascular health, arterial flexibility, and longevity.

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Vitamin Use And Cancer Claims

Some claims have been made that certain vitamins can treat different cancers. However, research shows this is not the case. For example:

  • Vitamin A in large doses does not cure cancer and can be toxic, particularly if taken as pills rather than food. Studies have linked vitamin A to an increase in other cancers such as lung cancer in smokers, if taken in supplement form.
  • Although there is some evidence vitamin E could play a small role in preventing some cancers, equally there is evidence that it could speed up the onset of other types of cancer. However, this has not been proved or disproved.
  • High doses of antioxidants are unlikely to help with the effectiveness of conventional cancer treatments . In fact, megadoses of antioxidants can interfere with some medical treatments for cancer by helping to protect the cancer cells that the therapies aim to destroy.
  • Some studies have shown prostate, breast and lung cancer risk are not decreased by taking high-dose supplements containing vitamins E or C or selenium.

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