It's also important to know which vitamins should not be taken together. These are the supplements that don't go together or go with food. As stated above, with the combination of iron and calcium above, calcium will compete for absorption with other minerals. Since calcium can affect how the body absorbs iron, it can also affect the absorption of zinc and magnesium.
While it's OK to take them together in a multivitamin complex (which typically contains smaller doses of these minerals), it's best to space out these supplements if you take them individually. According to Dr. Sean Ormond, a doctor specializing in interventional pain at Atlas Pain Specialists in Phoenix, Arizona, fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the body's liver, fat and muscles and must be taken with fat from a meal for the body to better absorb and use them. Keep in mind that some vitamin and mineral supplements may interfere with certain medications, including antibiotics, blood thinners, and blood pressure medications.
As a supplement, these are vitamins that can be taken together, either as an individual nutrient (such as vitamin B1) or combined in a B-complex supplement. For example, while it's safe to take vitamin D with vitamin B12, it's not recommended, says Dr. Virgilio Sanchez, a board-certified family medicine doctor at the Conviva Care Center in Miami, Florida. Research indicates that the two fat-soluble vitamins (vitamin D and vitamin K) work synergistically to ensure that bones absorb calcium instead of accumulating in the arteries.
Vitamins that can be taken together also include iron and vitamin C, since vitamin C significantly increases the absorption of non-heme iron (plant-based iron). That's because vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is best absorbed with food, while B-12 is a water-soluble vitamin that should be taken on an empty stomach, says Dr. As a quick reminder, your body needs 13 essential vitamins for normal cell function, growth, development and optimal overall health. The body doesn't store water-soluble vitamins, including those in the B vitamin family and vitamin C, and “leftovers” leave the body through the urine.
The joint intake of certain vitamins can affect their absorption in the body, sometimes worsening the situation and other times improving bioavailability. However, if you're taking more than one supplement, you might ask yourself, “What vitamins shouldn't be taken together? On the other hand, you might also be wondering, “What vitamins can I take together? The body absorbs some of its vitamins better with food, so you may want to take them with a meal or snack. For example, many vitamins for older people contain more calcium and vitamins D and B12 than younger people need.
