Sickened by Vitamins Consumption? Explore 6 Strategies to Ease Digestion
Vitamins Got You Feelin' Funny? Here's the Lowdown!
Let's face it - popping your daily multivitamin can leave you feeling less than peppy sometimes. But fret not, we've got you covered!
Maybe, just maybe, you're making a simple mistake - taking 'em on an empty stomach first thing in the AM. Gastroenterologist Christine Lee, MD says that's a big no-no! "Taking vitamins on an empty stomach can frequently upset the GI tract," she warns. You might experience tummy troubles like pain, nausea, and even diarrhea.
Moreover, vitamins and supplements can aggravate existing digestive conditions such as GERD, ulcers, gastritis, IBS, and others. Dr. Lee emphasizes that this is especially true for calcium, vitamin C, or iron-rich vitamins, which can irritate the stomach lining.
In rare cases, vitamins can interfere with your meds' absorption or metabolism. Always chat with your healthcare provider about any supplements you're taking.
So, how can you skip the stomachache? Here are some smart tips:
Do...
- Take your vitamins with food to enhance the body's ability to absorb the vitamins and decrease your risk of experiencing nausea and an upset stomach. Keep a snack nearby if munching first thing in the morning is a struggle.
- Steer clear of taking them before exercising. Exercising post-vitamins could make heartburn or reflux even worse.
- Opt for easy-to-digest formats like dissolvable, chewable, powder, or gummy vitamins. Tablets, with their binding agents, can be harder to digest.
- Reduce your dose size. Taking smaller doses consistently is better than taking large doses less frequently. Try taking half with breakfast and half with dinner.
- Eat a vitamin-dense diet. Striving for naturally obtained vitamins through food is always preferred over supplements. Sardines, dairy, and leafy greens are great sources of calcium, while shellfish, legumes, red meat, and pumpkin seeds have plenty of iron.
Don't...
- Overdo it! You probably get a lot of vitamins and minerals from food, so avoid overdosing on supplements. Too much of some vitamins can make you feel sick.
- Forget about common sense! Avoid taking your vitamins with caffeine or alcohol, as these substances can further irritate your stomach and increase the likelihood of upset.
- Neglect natural remedies! If nausea persists, try sipping on ginger or peppermint tea or snacking on candies to soothe your stomach. These natural remedies can help calm digestion and reduce nausea reflexes.
By following these guidelines, you can keep nausea and stomach discomfort at bay when taking multivitamins. If symptoms persist or worsen, it's best to consult your healthcare provider for personalized advice. Enjoy a healthier, happier vitamin routine! 😊
- Taking your daily multivitamin with food could be beneficial for enhancing your body's ability to absorb vitamins, thus reducing the risk of nausea and an upset stomach.
- It's advisable to avoid taking vitamins before exercising, as it could potentially make heartburn or reflux even worse.
- Easier-to-digest formats like dissolvable, chewable, powder, or gummy vitamins are preferred over tablets, which contain binding agents that can be harder to digest.
- Reducing the dose size and taking smaller doses consistently, rather than larger doses less frequently, can be a smarter approach. Consider taking half with breakfast and half with dinner.
- Aim for a vitamin-dense diet by consuming vitamin-rich foods such as sardines, dairy, leafy greens, shellfish, legumes, red meat, and pumpkin seeds, as natural sources of vitamins are generally better than supplements.
- Avoid overdosing on supplements, as too much of some vitamins can make you feel sick.
- In addition, refrain from taking your vitamins with caffeine or alcohol, as these substances could further irritate your stomach and increase the likelihood of an upset stomach.
- If natural remedies like sipping on ginger or peppermint tea or snacking on candies do not alleviate persistent nausea, it is best to consult your healthcare provider for personalized advice.
