How to Prevent Indigestion After Taking Vitamins

Do you take vitamins and nutritional supplements? It’s not uncommon to experience some degree of stomach upset after swallowing too many vitamins. Unfortunately, with some people, the symptoms are so severe that they’re unable to tolerate vitamin supplements at all. The degree of stomach discomfort can range from mild nausea to a bad case of heartburn, particularly if you take too many vitamins at one time. Is there a way to prevent stomach upset associated with taking vitamins?

Know what you’re taking.

If you take a multivitamin, check the ingredients to see if it contains iron. Iron is notorious for causing nausea and stomach upset. Be sure that you really need a multivitamin with iron since excess iron has been associated with an increased risk of heart disease. If your doctor has told you that you’re iron deficient and need to take iron, try taking it with food. This solves the problem for many people.

Don’t take vitamins at bedtime.

If you take a handful of vitamins or supplements and then lie down, you’re more likely to experience heartburn and acid reflux problems. Wait at least thirty minutes before reclining after taking vitamin pills.

Take them in divided doses.

If you take a variety of pills, divide them into three separate doses so you’re not taking too many vitamins at once. Take a dose with breakfast, another dose at lunch, and a final one at dinner.

Take them with food.

Many people experience mild stomach upset when taking nutritional supplements on an empty stomach. If possible take them after a meal. If you’re taking supplements that need to be taken on an empty stomach for better absorption, wait an hour after a meal so absorption will be better, but your stomach still won’t be completely empty.

Switch to liquid vitamins.

Liquid vitamins are usually better tolerated than tablets or capsules. Unfortunately, they also cost more, so do this only if nothing else works. There are several sites online that sell liquid vitamins at competitive prices. There are also spray vitamins available that are spritzed under the tongue and absorbed directly into the bloodstream. This bypasses the digestive tract and shouldn’t cause stomach upset.

Finally, ask yourself if you really need to be taking supplements or rather it might be healthier to try to get your nutrition from a better diet.