For maximum benefits, it is a good idea to take your vitamins and minerals with or immediately after eating. For those using calcium, taking that pill with food can save you from an upset stomach.
Another important consideration to remember is before starting any supplement is to check with your doctor if you are currently taking any medications. Some prescriptions may be reduced in effectiveness by a certain supplement or alter test results.
In particular, anyone using a blood thinner such as Coumadin that monitors their levels of blood thickness with regular testing can find their results changing. Vitamin K will thicken the blood and can cause someone on a blood thinner a problem, if not careful.
If you are woman taking hormones, then you also need to be very careful about supplements, especially vitamin E because it can interfere with your prescription. If your doctor finds this supplement acceptable, it is a better option not to take your hormone prescription with that supplement. Instead, take one of them in the morning and the other at night.
One last piece of advice to remember is concerning vitamins A and E. Both of these are stimulating vitamins and should be taken in the mornings because they can disrupt sleep.
