5 replies to this topic

[brainengineer]

These might seem stupid questions but Im truthfully having a hard time trying to figure out when to take and not take certain supplements and *why* it is so.

When supplements are recommended to be taken "with meals" is that

- because it might cause stomach upset if not
or
- because it maximizes absorption

Primarily I am interested because if it is just to avoid stomach upset, then I have a LOT more options available to me for when to take things.


Also does "with meals" mean
- +/- 30 minutes of the meal
or
- immediately before the meal
or
- immediately after the meal



When people say "between meals" does that mean
- more than 30/60/90 minutes before or after a meal??


Are there certain things that shouldnt been taken together??

Better yet, is there some reference on this somewhere that I can read??

--
BrainEngineer

[shifter]

Good questions, I have always wondered this myself.

[spins]

You are often directed to take multi vitamins with meals because a little fat is needed to facilitate the adsorption of certain vitamins and nutrients; you also get somewhat of a sustained-release effect.

Other supplements such as amino acids are normally taken in between meals to avoid competition for absorption with other amino acids that are found in protein foods.

More info here.

[garethnelsonuk]

I tend to take all of my supplements in the morning with breakfast and have never paid much attention to whether or not to take with food.

[ajnast4r]

amino acids and herbs and certain things that specify empty stomach... 30 minutes before, 2 hours after

everything else... immediatly to 30 minutes after

[Gordon]

Edited by Gordon, 26 February 2009 - 04:19 AM.