Should you take vitamins or other supplements with food?

Its always been a fairly common piece of advice that you should take vitamin supplements (particularly fat-soluble vitamins), or other nutritional supplements with food to allow for better absorption.

However, according to this article and FAQ linked below, the answer to the question of whether or not you should take supplements with food really depends on the supplement itself.

According to Shereen Jegtvig, who is a Certified Nutrition Specialist, in most instances it will not make a difference. But iron supplements, she says, should be taken on an empty stomach. So should some bioflavonoids, probiotics, phytochemicals, and enzymes.

Some of the B vitamins should be taken with food. However, again, it is a matter of specificity. B12 and folic acid (B9), she says, should be taken on an empty stomach while other B vitamins should be taken with food.

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