11 replies to this topic

[bipolar]

It seems that the bottles of most supplements I have say should be taken with meals. But I'm wondering if that is really the case.

In the case of a multi, would you say it is better to take with or without food? And what about a single nutrient like for example Vit. B6 or Magnesium?

[scottl]

Yes I would take all with food unless there is a specific reason e.g. many amino acids, etc. If you do not take e.g. fat soluable vits with fat, they will not be absorbed.

As a first approximation, and unless you have a specific reason in mind, why not listen to the manufacturer?

[bipolar]

I guess I was under the impression that it was mostly because there was less of a chance of stomach upset if taken with food. I don't mind taking them with food, I just wasn't sure if it was the most effective way.

Supposedly certain minerals compete with each other. Like zinc and copper, magnesium and calcium, not sure about the others. If for example you took a magnesium supplement along with calcium, whether the calcium is from food or supplement, wouldn't you actually be getting less of the magnesium than what's in the supplement?

Are most vitamins fat soluble? What about minerals?

There needs to be a supplements for dummies book. :-)

[scottl]

I guess I was under the impression that it was mostly because there was less of a chance of stomach upset if taken with food. I don't mind taking them with food, I just wasn't sure if it was the most effective way.

No that is usually best...from a number of viewpoints. Except as previously mentioned, just take them all with food (spread out with several meals is usually best) and don't worry about it. Honestly.

The bad news is you'll have to find something else to worry about ;-)

FYI: the zinc copper has to do with how much you are taking in and should be taken care of by the multiple you are taking. If I give you a number, someone will chime in with a different one.

http://www.pdrhealth.../mag_0167.shtml
Calcium: Concomitant intake of high doses of calcium—greater than 2 grams—may decrease the absorption of magnesium. Most studies have shown that concomitant intakes of typical doses of calcium and magnesium do not decrease the absorption of magnesium.

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Supplements for dummies (for 20-30 year old well person):

Pioneer 1+ Vitamin/Mineral - Iron free 120 tabs Take 1 with b'fast
e.g. http://www.wholesale...inironfree.html

500 mg ascorbate form vit C take 1 with dinner (better 1 with b'fast and 1 with dinner, or lunch and dinner)

1 400 IU mixed tocopherols e.g. Thorne brand

500 mg EPA +DHA/day

calcium/magnesium from diet or supps

[bipolar]

Thanks very much Scott!

[ajnast4r]

oh BTW scott, im buying that exact multiple lol... you recomended pioneer a while back, they totally check out... great company, great forumla

[stephenszpak]

I guess I was under the impression that it was mostly because there was less of a chance of stomach upset if taken with food. I don't mind taking them with food, I just wasn't sure if it was the most effective way.

Supposedly certain minerals compete with each other. Like zinc and copper, magnesium and calcium, not sure about the others. If for example you took a magnesium supplement along with calcium, whether the calcium is from food or supplement, wouldn't you actually be getting less of the magnesium than what's in the supplement?

Are most vitamins fat soluble? What about minerals?

There needs to be a supplements for dummies book. :-)

I came across this a while back. Don't know if it's valid.
Taking the B complex late in the day might interfere with sleep.
A number of supplements do regardless of the standard statement:
"No side effects noticed at X grams per day for X weeks". There
are always side effects. Even drinking too much water has side
effects.

http://media.vrp.com...nalysisFig1.gif

Stephen Szpak

[scottl]

I came across this a while back. Don't know if it's valid.
Taking the B complex late in the day might interfere with sleep.
Stephen Szpak

Ya that is valid. I'm not clear if there were other points in your post that I didn't understand.

[stephenszpak]

I came across this a while back. Don't know if it's valid.
Taking the B complex late in the day might interfere with sleep.
Stephen Szpak

Ya that is valid. I'm not clear if there were other points in your post that I didn't understand.

Sorry for the misunderstanding. What I meant was:

I don't know if the diagram is valid (at the link).

Some of it confirms what I have read in other places about taking
a large amount of one mineral, and that interfering with the absorption
of another. But as you can see there are many interactions according to
this diagram. I don't know if they are all valid or not.

Stephen Szpak

[scottl]

Heh looks likes the table of interactions of different energy meridians in chinese medicine.

SERIOUSLY ignore that unless you wish a headache.

[stephenszpak]

Heh looks likes the table of interactions of different energy meridians in chinese medicine.

SERIOUSLY ignore that unless you wish a headache.

This info is really old but I'll throw it out there:

Feed Yourself Right (Dr. Lendon Smith) (Passed on a few years ago.)

Pages 157 and 158

"The parathyroid glands (just behind the thyroid) are
responsible for the movement of calcium to and from the blood to
the bones. If the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio is less than 2:1,
no matter what the levels are, the parathyroid is stimulated;
its hormone pulls calcium from the bones. The ratio is influenced
by the diet, and we should try to take more calcium than phosphorus.

The ideal calcium to phosphorus ratio in the diet is between
1:1 and 2:1."

These ratios have probably been revised by now...still if there
are *ideal* ratios for these two minerals, as they work in the body
together, there are probably other ratios for other minerals as well.

Anyway, I've heard that excess amounts of certain minerals hinder
the absorption/utilization of others.

Not a expert, just here with my comments,

Stephen Szpak

[icyT]

It's thought to be good to be taken with food as mention for fat absorbtion (in which case they should say, take with fat...) but probably also so any anti-oxidants in the food can have a synergistic effect, and any oils in the food can be preserved by the antioxidants in the vitamins.