Vitamins that should not be supplemented in the morning

Taking vitamins correctly is important. Mistakes in taking the following vitamins in the morning can make them less effective or even cause side effects.

Remembering to take your vitamins at the right time in the middle of a busy day can be difficult, so try to get into the habit of taking them with your breakfast and coffee. However, it's important to know that some vitamins can actually disrupt your day. Some can cause drowsiness, dizziness, or muscle weakness, which can reduce your energy and productivity.

Iron

Iron is an essential nutrient that helps prevent anemia. Iron deficiency can lead to fatigue and muscle weakness. However, taking this mineral alone or with a multivitamin without food can cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and even vomiting. And even if you eat iron for breakfast, consuming too much iron can cause constipation.

If potential digestive symptoms aren't enough to stop you from taking your morning iron, keep in mind that this mineral also interacts with coffee. There's a polyphenol compound found in coffee called chlorogenic acid, which tends to bind to iron during digestion, making it harder for your body to absorb the mineral.

So anyone taking an iron supplement should wait about 1 to 2 hours after drinking their morning coffee. Also, stick to the recommended dose of 18 milligrams per day and take it after eating.

Magnesium

Magnesium, specifically magnesium glycinate, is well-known for its ability to support sleep quality. In fact, a 2024 study in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine reported that magnesium helps regulate gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA, which can calm the nervous system and help relax the muscles and mind. Therefore, it is best to supplement this form of magnesium at night for a good night's sleep. To get the most out of magnesium, add it to your diet after dinner instead of breakfast.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is important for healthy vision and is rich in antioxidant properties. If you take vitamin A, or any of the other fat-soluble vitamins such as D, E and K, in the morning without eating fat, you risk losing some of the benefits of the vitamin. This is because without fat in your diet, these vitamins are not easily absorbed by the body. So, to ensure maximum absorption of vitamin A from your supplement, always take it with a breakfast rich in healthy fats from foods such as avocado, eggs or yogurt.

Taking a daily vitamin and mineral supplement is an important part of any healthy lifestyle, especially if you are not getting these nutrients from your daily diet.

To ensure you get the full benefit from any supplement, it is important to take it at the right time of day and combine it with the right foods and drinks. It is best to avoid taking the vitamins mentioned above in the morning.

Marvin Fry

Update 04 October 2025