Advertisement
Do’s and don’ts for supplementing without a stomach ache
You’re diligent about taking your multivitamin every morning (hello, calcium and vitamin D!), but sometimes you just feel … blah afterward.
Advertisement
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
If this sounds familiar, there are a few possible reasons why this could be happening.
The most obvious mistake you might be making – and probably the easiest to fix – is taking them first thing in the morning before you’ve eaten.
“Taking vitamins on an empty stomach can frequently upset the GI tract,” says gastroenterologist Christine Lee, MD. “Many people experience stomach pains, nausea and even diarrhea.”
Vitamins and supplements can also aggravate gastroesophageal reflux disease, peptic ulcers, gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome and other digestive conditions, Dr. Lee says. People with these conditions might be even more likely to have upset stomach, diarrhea, reflux or nausea from taking vitamins – especially ones that contain calcium, vitamin C or iron, which are more likely than others to irritate the stomach lining.
Rarely, vitamins and supplements can affect the way certain medications are absorbed or metabolized in the body. Make sure to discuss any vitamins you’re taking with your healthcare provider.
DO take vitamins with food. If you have a hard time eating first thing in the morning, try taking your vitamins in the evening, with dinner, instead. “Taking them with food enhances the body’s ability to absorb the vitamins and decreases your risk of experiencing nausea and upset stomach,” Dr. Lee says.
Advertisement
DON’T take them before exercising. “It’ll just slosh around in your stomach and induce gastric acid production,” Dr. Lee points out. That could make heartburn or reflux even worse.
DO try easy-to-digest formats. Tablets tend to be harder to digest due to the binding agent used to hold them together, Dr. Lee explains. Dissolvable, chewable, powder or gummy vitamins tend to be easier to digest.
DO reduce your dose size. Taking a smaller dose of a vitamin daily is always better than taking a large dose once a week or month, Dr. Lee says. If you take several vitamins each day, try taking half with breakfast and half with dinner.
DO eat a diet rich in vitamins. Dr. Lee advises getting as much of your vitamins naturally through food as possible. Sardines, dairy products and leafy greens are great sources of calcium, for example. Shellfish, legumes, red meat and pumpkin seeds have ample amounts of iron. These real food sources are always preferred over taking a supplement.
DON’T overdo it. You likely get a lot of vitamins and minerals from food — don’t forget to factor that into your daily intake. Taking too much of some vitamins can make you feel sick, so you don’t want to overdo it with supplements.
Advertisement
Learn more about our editorial process.
Advertisement
While all three are different, they’re also closely related
There isn’t any scientific proof that the tangy liquid offers relief for GERD symptoms
Vitamins are made by plants and animals, while minerals come from the soil and water — both of which are essential for our bodies
One of the best things you can do if you have FA is follow a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins
Changes in eating, exercise and sleep habits often can help reduce symptoms
Pediatric IBS treatment involves making dietary adjustments, getting mental health support and — in some cases — taking prescription medication
Both micronutrients support body functions, but there are key differences, like what foods have them and what jobs they do
It might be, but it’s more likely that your symptoms of constipation and back pain are caused by underlying conditions
Focus on your body’s metabolic set point by eating healthy foods, making exercise a part of your routine and reducing stress
PFAS chemicals may make life easier — but they aren’t always so easy on the human body
While there’s little risk in trying this hair care treatment, there isn’t much science to back up the claims