SingleCareWhat Vitamins Should Not Be Taken Together?

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Vitamin supplementation is widespread, with an estimated 57% of Americans over 20 taking at least one dietary supplement. Understanding proper vitamin combinations and interactions is crucial for healthcare providers advising patients on supplementation. This article outlines key considerations for vitamin intake, highlighting combinations to avoid and those that may enhance absorption.

Key Points:

• Magnesium and calcium require a balanced ratio for effective absorption. A calcium to magnesium ratio above 2:1 may increase the risk of metabolic, inflammatory, and cardiovascular disorders.
• Iron supplements should not be taken with green tea, as the EGCG in green tea can reduce iron absorption.
• Vitamin C and B12 should be taken at least two hours apart, as high doses of vitamin C can reduce B12 absorption and metabolism.
• Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) should be taken with food containing healthy fats, while water-soluble vitamins (C and B complex) can be taken without food.
• Vitamin D and K2 work synergistically to ensure proper calcium absorption in bones rather than arteries.
• Magnesium is required for vitamin D synthesis and metabolism, making their combination potentially beneficial.
• Iron absorption may be enhanced when taken with vitamin C, although recent research questions this effect.

In an ancillary study, the frequency of incident fractures was compared between the vitamin D3 and placebo arms. The primary end points of this ancillary study were first incident total, nonvertebral, and hip fractures. The study found no benefits for fracture risk reduction with vitamin D supplementation. (Mayo Clinic Proceedings)

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