Multivitamins help boost our diets and provides our bodies with essential micronutrients. However, is there a right and wrong time to take multivitamins? The simple answer is yes. Some vitamins should be taken after a meal while others should be taken when the stomach is empty to maximize the benefits. It all depends on the type of vitamins you’re planning to take.
That said, some vitamins should be part of the morning routine. To make the most of your multivitamin, it’s important, therefore, to understand the type of vitamins contained in it.
Different Types of Vitamins
Vitamins are either fat-soluble or water-soluble. Fat-soluble vitamins include, Vitamin A, K, E, and D. These vitamins are dissolved in fat and carried all over our bodies in the bloodstream where they perform useful and essential functions. Such vitamins should be taken after meals.
On the other hand, water-soluble vitamins include Vitamin C, all B vitamins, and Folate or Folic acid. As its name suggests, these vitamins are soluble in water. The body will take the vitamins it requires and gets rid of any excess through urine. It’s important to replenish the body with these vitamins.
Furthermore, water-soluble vitamins should be taken on an empty stomach. Due to this reason, your morning multivitamins should contain water-soluble vitamins.
Benefits of Taking Multivitamins in the Morning
Now that we have established the main types of vitamins and discovered which vitamins are best taken in the morning, let’s find out some benefits of multivitamins containing vitamin C, folate, and B vitamins.
1. Powerful Antioxidants
Vitamin C, in particular, is one of the most powerful antioxidants. It protects the body’s cells from free radicals that can cause oxidative stress.
Vitamin C not only prevents cell damage but also boosts our bodies’ natural immunity. Furthermore, vitamin C is a natural anti-inflammatory.
2. Red and White Blood Cell Creation
Folate, or Vitamin B9, helps in the formation of both red and white blood cells. Folate is also a major part of the body’s methylation process, which is involved in maintaining bodily functions, such as DNA synthesis, detoxification, and cell division.
Higher numbers of white blood cells boost the body’s natural immunity and ability to ward off disease.
3. Healthier Cardiovascular System
Heart disease is the number one cause of death among adults. In the US alone, a third of the population suffers from high blood pressure. Vitamin C has been shown to lower blood pressure in patients that suffer from the condition.
Furthermore, B vitamins, including folate, not only protect the cardiovascular system, but they also lower the risks of certain cancers, such as pancreatic, colon, and esophageal cancers.
4. Healthy Hormones
To maintain healthy hormone production, it’s important to have a good supply of vitamin B5. This can be obtained from leafy greens that are in the cabbage family, such as broccoli and kale. You can also get a good supply of vitamin B5 from avocados.
Moreover, you’ll need vitamin B5 for many other functions in the body, such as breaking down lipids as well as carbohydrates.
5. Boosting Sperm Production
Let’s face it, the majority of men want to know they’re sexually healthy and capable of making babies. Folate and vitamin C have been shown to increase sperm production in men.
Furthermore, the antioxidant properties of vitamin C can help protect the sperm from the effects of free radicals.
6. Lower Blood Uric Levels
Gout is an arthritic condition where there’s too much uric acid build up in the blood. Consequently, uric crystals are deposited in the toes, which causes inflammation and extreme pain.
Uric acid in the blood is caused by consuming food such as red meat. Vitamin C has been proven to lower the levels of uric acid in the blood, reducing gout attacks.
7. Vitamin B12 and Anemia
At 2.4 micrograms, men may need just a tiny amount of vitamin B12 each day. But, the challenge is how and where to get it. Vitamin B12 does not occur in plant species. Hence, if you’re a vegetarian, you may struggle to get the vitamin every day. It’s therefore important that the multivitamin supplement contains this vitamin.
Vitamin B12 is used by the body to make more blood cells as well as maintaining proper nerve health.
Conclusion
Water-soluble vitamins are lost from the body through urine. It is important to have a daily supply of these vitamins. Sometimes, the food we eat may not provide sufficient levels of the crucial vitamins needed by our bodies. For that, we need multivitamins.