This is probably a stupid question/vitamins

Hi all - I was waiting for my coffee to make and while I was standing by the coffee pot, I took my chewable multi and my calcium chew. And then I started wondering if I need to take them away from any liquids, like we do food, to make sure they don't get flushed out too fast? My NP said to take the iron away from the calcium but I don't remember any guidelines on vitamins and liquids.

Most vitamins and minerals are absorbed in small intestine, not pouch.

Have in mind that tannins: coffee ,tea, etc may inhibit absorption of iron and some metals, or other minerals. Some vitamins - like D3, K, A when taken in the dry form (water soluble formulation of fat soluble supplements) are still are advised to be taken with just liquids, away from fats, for better absorption.

whoa - I did not know this about the dry forms - I've been taking them with my full-fat yogurt at breakfast. I'd better stop that!!

I was told to take my calcium at least 2 hours apart from my vitamins, so I do calcium/D3 at breakfast/lunch/dinner and vitamins at bed time. I'm using the liquid calcium and it's better with something in my stomach.

I take Calcium/D3? Chewables in the morning in 3 500 mg servings and at least 2 hours apart. In the afternoon I take my vitamins as my mornings are generally spent drinking coffee and the caffeine can inhibit iron absorption.

I take B12 sublingual once a week.

As Hala mentioned, your vitamins are not absorbed in the pouch, so you'll be just fine.

As far as general vitamin guidelines, here are the ones I know of off the top of my head:

• Don't take iron and calcium at the same time
• Taking vitamin C with your iron helps it absorb better
• The tannins in tea and coffee can decrease iron absorption, so take your iron after drinking those
• Taking vitamin D with calcium helps it absorb better; many supplements include both in a single pill

Thank you! Literally, the only one that I knew/remembered was the no calcium/iron at the same time. This will be simple once I get it down but complicated right now.

Yup, figuring out the routine is the hard part, but once you get it set, it's not so bad.

If it helps at all, here's how I do mine:

Morning ****ep a pill container at work): iron (2 pills), vitamin C, multivitamin

Dinnertime: calcium chews

Bedtime: iron (2 pills), multivitamin, B12, fiber, psych meds

Thanks, everyone, for all the comments on this question -- I learned a lot and can make my vitamins more effective with a few changes! Thank you thank you!