Never Take This Vitamin Before Bed

Vitamins are taken by millions of people on a daily basis to promote overall health, yet not all of them will benefit if ingested at the wrong time of the day, according to speacialist. According to doctors, there are some vitamins that shouldn’t be consumed late at night.

1 — Vitamin B

“I would discourage anyone from taking B vitamins at night,” says Dr. David Culpepper, MD. “This includes all B vitamins. The reason that I advise against it is that the brain’s hormones are made in part by the B vitamins. Taking them before bedtime might be quite stimulating to the nervous system and the brain and can cause you to have a hard time falling asleep or staying asleep. For this reason, I recommend taking your supplements with breakfast.”

2 — Multivitamins

“Multivitamins are best consumed in the morning, either with lunch or breakfast,” says Dr. Monisha Bhanote, MD, Integrative & Functional Medicine. Fat-soluble vitamins such as E, D, A, and K are found in multivitamins and are absorbed better when consumed with fatty meals. “In contrast, the B vitamins are water-soluble and can be consumed with or without food.  It is best to take them early in the day, preferably before 2 p.m., because they provide an energy boost. The presence of a multivitamin or B complex that contains B6 can influence sleep quality and enhance dreaming vividness.” 

3 — Vitamin D

Vitamin D has a negative influence on the sleep hormone melatonin, according to Whitney Stuart, a Dietitian-Nutritionist and Diabetes Educator. Vitamin D in the evening can prevent or delay melatonin synthesis.

4 — Vitamin C

“Vitamin C should be consumed with a meal and not when your stomach is empty,” says Stuart. “Taking it at night may cause acid reflux, as well as an upset stomach.”