If we’re completely honest, not all of us are able to consume complete nutrients and eat healthy meals all the time. This is the primary reason why we rely on vitamins and supplements, to make sure that we still stay healthy despite the lack of nutrients in our food. In this article, we are going to discuss how to take good care of your health and what vitamins and supplements should not be taken together.
Side Effects Of Taking Many Supplements
Generally, the side effects of vitamins and supplements differ for each one of us. Our bodies have different reactions to everything that we consume. That is why it is important to consult a specialist before you switch from one vitamin or supplement to another. Additionally, you need to consider your allergy triggers as well as the nutritional facts in the label.
Here are the common side effects of taking supplements and vitamins:
- elevated blood pressure
- irregular heartbeat
- headache
- vomiting
- dizziness
- digestive problems
- overdose
- heart problems
- issues with the esophagus
If you have a certain medical condition, it would be better to ask your physician about the vitamins and supplements that will work well for you. Remember that our body has the ability to restore energy, heal, and improve itself without the help of harmful chemicals.
Vitamins And Supplements That Should Not Be Taken Together
To help you stay away from the harmful effects of combined vitamins and minerals, we listed the dangerous combinations that you should avoid. Always inform your health care provider about medication and supplements you take.
Copper and Zinc
Zinc is an essential nutrient that is especially helpful for individuals with immunity problems. If you have common flu and cols all the time, zinc might be one of the best options for you. However, it’s important to know that zinc could stand in the way of copper absorption. Some people are advised to take zinc and copper due to health conditions, if this is the case, ask your doctor for the right schedule of taking the two separately.
Ginkgo Biloba and Fish Oil
Fish oil is a good supplement to reduce inflammation and boost your mood, but if this is taken together with blood-thinning supplements like Ginkgo Biloba, excessive bleeding may occur. For your own safety, drink the two supplements at different times of the day, one in the morning, and one in the evening. Perhaps it is advisable to pause the blood-thinning supplements before an invasive surgery like tooth implants.
Magnesium and Calcium
When two different minerals are absorbed at the same time, their efficiency could get affected. According to studies, taking magnesium and calcium at once will reduce absorption, hence, making them less likely effective in supplying minerals to your body. Doctors advise a 2-hour interval in taking these two minerals to ensure proper absorption.
Green Tea and Iron
Iron supplements are commonly recommended to help a person revitalize their energy levels. Sadly, if iron is combined with green tea, black tea, and curcumin supplements, the mineral will not be absorbed. Drinking green tea is not the problem here, just make sure to set a few hours between taking iron supplements and drinking tea.
Sedatives and Melatonin
Taking melatonin together with other sedative herbs can cause sleepiness. If you are always on the go, it’s not ideal to combine these two. While the side effects are minimal, it would still be safer to stay awake and alert during the day especially if you work outdoor. Specialists recommend taking these two separately to avoid sleepiness.
Fat-Soluble Vitamins and Vit. K
Combining Vitamin K with fat-soluble vitamins would obstruct the absorption of the vitamins. Most people are deficient in Vit. K, yes, even nutritionists take this supplement as well. This makes Vit. K. a prominent supplement in the market today. To ensure proper absorption, take your vitamins in separate hours.
Niacin and Red Yeast
A million people all over the world are suffering from high cholesterol. Almost all of them are advised to take supplements to regulate their cholesterol and keep it at healthy levels. Some of them even take 2 different supplements for better results, but it’s important to note that some of these supplements don’t work well together. For example, red yeast and niacin will not be able to serve their purposes if taken together. Moreover, a niacin flush might also take place, an unpleasant side effect that you would not want to experience.
Calcium and Potassium
Both calcium and potassium are essential for bone growth and development. Some people with bone problems are typically urged to take these two to strengthen their bones. Yet taking them at the same time could decrease their effectiveness. To avoid this from happening, take your supplements separately with a few hours of interval in between.
Antidepressants and St. John’s Wort
You need to take precautions when taking over-the-counter and prescribed medication together with supplements. For example, St. John’s Wort should not be taken with antidepressants due to the side effects that it poses. Some of the negative effects are anxiety attacks, fever, seizure, muslce rigidity, and confusion.
Medication for Diabetes and CoQ10
While CoQ10 is a helpful component to keep your heart healthy, taking it with drugs for medicine can lower your blood sugar as well as your blood pressure. The side effect does not happen immediately, in most cases, the effects occur after a month or 2 of taking CoQ10 with diabetes meds.
Blood Thinners and Garlic
Garlic is a natural blood thinner, which means consuming it frequently while taking blood-thinning medicines can cause harm to the thickness of your blood.