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Learn Optimal Supplement Timing For Best Absorption

If you’re like a lot of us, life can get in the way of following a healthy diet. Occasionally, we’ll realize we’ve fallen short of our goal to eat an optimal diet full of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and healthy plant fats. So, we may take a multivitamin and omega-3 fatty acids (and potentially a few other supplements) as an insurance policy to make sure we are getting the nutrients we need to stay healthy.

Here are a few guidelines to help maximize the benefit of the vitamins and supplements you take:

With the exception of Calcium Citrate (which we will cover below), make sure you take your supplements with a meal that contains fat in order to aid absorption. Four specific vitamins – A, D, E and K are fat soluble so require fat for proper absorption. How much fat is enough? A woman shooting for 1,500 calories per day will likely eat somewhere between 40 and 50 grams of fat. If we divide the fat grams over the day, each meal likely contains 10 to 15 grams of fat which is a good number to aid vitamin absorption. If your breakfast is fat-free, for example an English muffin with jam, or fat-free yogurt and a piece of fruit don’t take your vitamins and supplements at that time.
Calcium Citrate can be taken with a meal, but for optimal absorption it’s best taken alone. With this in mind, we recommend calcium supplements be taken at bedtime as part of the bedtime ritual of brushing teeth, getting a drink of water, etc. Because the body can’t absorb more than about 500 mg calcium at a time, if you need 750-1000 mg of calcium, take 500 mg calcium when you brush your teeth at night and the rest when you brush your teeth in the morning.
While many experts suggest that supplements be taken with breakfast, it really doesn’t matter what time of day you take yours, so don’t fret if you’re not a breakfast person – you can take your supplements at any meal. Because the goal is consistency, our recommendation is to pick a meal, or meals, and take all supplements at the same time each day.
Concerned about taking more than one supplement at a time? No need to worry, our entire product line is made to work together. We recommend that most people take a multivitamin and omega-3, and that vitamins for Eye Health, Dermatologic Health, Joint Health and other products in the Cooper Complete line may be added on. The cumulative levels of all the ingredients can safely be taken.
Have you read the “Suggested Usage” information on product bottles? All Cooper Complete products give suggested serving sizes, followed by the statement “or as directed by your healthcare professional.” It’s important to talk with your doctor about what supplements you take in order to avoid possible drug interactions. For example, Vitamin K is not recommended for people on blood thinners, and Iron supplements are typically not recommended for men and post-menopausal women.

One of the big benefits of taking Cooper Complete supplements is the knowledgeable Cooper representatives trained and ready for your specific questions.

Cooper Complete Nutritional Supplements are available for purchase at The Coop retail store. For more information click here or call 888.393.2221.

Article provided by Cathy Sides, Director of Customer Relations for Cooper Complete.