vitamins and fiber

[MammaC]

Is it alright to take my vitamins at the same time that I take my Metemucil? I read that you don't absorb the vitamins if you take them together. Is this true?

[Atkins_Nutritionist]

It is best to take vitamins with the foods they are naturally occurring in, in order to maximize absorption. And fat soluble vitamins can only be absorbed when fat is present. Overall, the body does not absorb minerals well. Additionally, minerals compete with one another for absorption. Dietary fiber negatively impacts absorption of certain minerals (iron, calcium, magnesium and zinc). If you are taking a multivitamin, containing both vitamins and minerals, I would suggest taking the Metamucil at a different time of day.

[MammaC]

Thank you. That's what I needed to know.

[MAMZELLE]

Both Metamucil and Citrucel told me on the phone to take at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after and away from your supplements..... and they SAID that it doesn't have to be taken with food, but you can... just not with your vitamins.

Note: They also told me [when pressing them] that even if you take all 6 capsules that they suggest as a daily dose, that only adds up to a mere 2 gms of the 30 grams that we need per day! Do the math on how many BOTTLES it would take to even come to a substantial amount of fiber from these, much less the whole 30 daily grams! I found that pretty futile and useless and quite an expense for practically nothing.

Here's a link to check all supplement and medication interactions. Just scroll the list in the box on the left, and transfer what you want to the box on the right and click when you're done with your list[read directions]. Some items go under a different name than you're familiar with, so you have to type in YOUR name for them on top of those two adjacent boxes, [where it says "DRUG"] for the ones you can't find and it will find it for you automatically under their different name. Took me a while to realize that, so thought I'd save you some time. it tells you what should NOT be taken with the others. it's GREAT....>

http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/Interac...,4109,,00.html

[MAMZELLE]

I hope the AN will come back to answer this, [or anyone else who knows] I keep forgetting which the fat soluables are. Vit E, of course, and am guessing also the fish oils, and Flaxseed oils, but anyone know the others? And if what we're eating in any particular meal with the vitamins, isn't very fatty, should something like additional olive oil be added [or more than we normally use] and how much to accommodate the vitamins? Never thought of this. And what if what we're eating DOESN'T have the other elements that are in our vitamins? I'm sure my meals don't always have ALL of them in my foods. Does that mean that the ones in our vitamins aren't being absorbed? If there's no vitamin C in a specific meal that I'm taking my vitamins with [i.e.] is my 1,000 mg's of C after each meal NOT being absorbed? That's a lot of wasted vitamins including the same conditions for all the other suppliments too! Please elaborate on this. I'm taking a fortune in vitamins [10 to fifteen assorted tablets after every meal] and now wondering if they're going to waste... nutritionally as well as finantially. Thanks.

[cheri]

The primary vitamins are normally identified as vitamin A, D, E, K, C, and B complex. The fat-soluble vitamins are vitamins A, D, E, and K and also the carotenoids. Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in body tissues (fat storage cells called lipocytes) and can therefore be drawn upon when they are not obtained daily from the diet. Because they are not easily excreted, however, excessive intake of fat-soluble vitamins can cause toxicity. It is for this reason that the fat-soluble vitamins pose the biggest threat if oversupplemented. They are stored and build up within the body.

Vitamins C and B complex are water soluble vitamins. The water soluble vitamins are not stored within the body except in small amounts.

Vitamin-A

Vitamin A was the first vitamin to be discovered and officially named, hence its letter A. Vitamin A is not a single substance, but a group of nutrients that include retinol, retinal, and the carotenoids. Retinol and retinal are both known as preformed vitamin A and are found in a variety of animal foods, especially liver. Butter, cream, egg yolk, fish oils, and whole and fortified nonfat milk are all good sources of preformed vitamin A. Orange fruits and green, leafy, and yellow vegetables are all rich sources of various precursor carotenoids, particularly beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A.

Vitamin A is important for a variety of body functions, including eyesight, healthy teeth and skin, bone growth, cell differentiation, and tissue repair. Vitamin A also plays an important role in maintaining proper function of the cornea, lungs, mucus membranes, the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, and the bladder and urinary tract. It also acts as an antioxidant, helps prevent infectious disease, and is needed for the production of various anti-tumor compounds in the body.

Vitamin A stores are diminished by both stress and illness, as well as alcohol consumption, which also interferes with its absorption. When of the first signs of vitamin A deficiency is night blindness. Other signs of deficiency include supoptimum bone and tooth formation, eye inflammation, impaired immune response, weight loss, and keratinosis, a condition resulting in hardened pigmented deposits around hair follicles and the body's upper and lower extremities.

Vitamin-D

Vitamin D occurs in ten forms, D1- D10. The two most important forms are D2 and D3. The best food sources of vitamin D are cod liver and fish liver oils, butter, egg yolk, liver, vitamin D-fortified milk, and oily fish such as herring, mackerel, sardines, and salmon. The body can also manufacture vitamin D in the skin when it comes in contact with the sun's ultraviolet rays. People who live in areas of smog or infrequent sunlight, as well as strict vegetarians, should consider daily supplementing with 400 IUs of vitamin D.

Vitamin D is essential for the absorption of calcium, and for regulating the metabolism of calcium and phosphorous, both of which are integral components of healthy bones and teeth. It also aids in regulating the nervous system and maintaining cardiovascular health and normal blood clotting, and is an important nutrient for childhood growth. Because of its ability to aid in the calcification process, vitamin D can also be useful for maintaining bone health during menopause.

In childhood, the primary sign of vitamin D deficiency is rickets, while in adults, lack of the vitamin can result in softening of the bones (osteomalacia). Tetany, a form of muscle spasm, hearing loss, nearsightedness, psoriasi, celicac disease, and osteoporosis can also result from vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin-E

Vitamin E refers to a group of substances known as tocopherols. The most active form of vitamin E is d-alpha tocopherol, which is also the form that is most prevelant in nature. The primary food sources of vitamin E are seed and vegetable oils, especially saffower oil. Other food sources include wheat germ, wheat germ oil, nuts, green leafy vegetables, whole grains, butter, and egg yolk.

Vitamin E acts as potent antioxidant, and works synergistically with other antioxidants like vitamin C and selenium to minimize the effects of free radical damage and as an anti-tumor agent. It also enhances the health properties of vitamin A, with the two vitamins working together to reduce cholesterol and fat accumulation. Currently, vitamin E is also being investigated for its potential anti-aging properties, and has been shown to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. In addition, it is an important nutrient for the nervous, reproductive, and skeletal systems, as well as for muscle tissue and red blood cells and corpuscles. Applied topically, is is useful for treating burns, wounds, abrasions, lesions, and dry skin.

Even though vitamin E is more easily excreted from the body than other fat-soluble vitamins, signs of deficiency are less obvious than other nutrient deficiencies, and therefore more difficult to detect. Adding to this difficulty is the fact that vitamin E deficiency can manifest in a variety of ways. One possible indication of deficiency is decreased red blood cell levels due to damaged cell membranes.

Vitamin-K

Vitamin K also occurs in various forms: K1(phylloquinone) and K2 (menaquinone), both of which occur naturally, and K3 (menadione) a synthetic version that is twice as active biologically, and is only administered to people who have difficulty utilizing the natural forms due to conditions such as reduced bile secretion.. In addition to being available dietarily, approximately half of the body's vitamin K needs are met by the biosynthesis of various bacteria in the intestines. Food sources of vitamin K include dark green leafy vegetables, kelp, alfalfa, egg yolk, yogurt, fish liver oils, and legumes, as well as safflower oil and blackstrap molasses.

Vitamin K's primary function in the body is to assist in normal blood clotting, especially in the synthesis of various proteins involved in the coagulation process. Since the body is able to manufacture its own supply of vitamin K, deficiencies are rare, although they can be compounded by impaired intestinal absorption, overuse of antibiotics (which destroy healthy intestinal bacteria), and poor liver function or liver disease. Symptoms of deficiency include abnormal bleeding or hemorrhaging, and miscarriage due to abnormal blood loss.

Carotenoids

Carotenoids refer to over 500 substances which naturally occur in fruits and vegetables. Some 50 carotenoids act as precursors to vitamin A, with beta-carotene being the most well-known and most prevalent. More recently, lycopene has become another popular carotenoid due to its various healing properties. the best food sources of carotenoids are yellow and dark green vegetables, orange fruits, tomatoes, watermelons, and cherries

Carotenoids primarily act as antioxidants in the body, and are also capable of minimizing the formation of abnormal and precancerous cells and preventing age-related vision problems. Some researchers also speculate that carotenoids can improve immune function by stimulating immune antibodies, lymphocytes, and natural killer and T-helper cells. Symptoms of carotenoid deficiency include diminished immune function, free radical damage, and increased susceptibility to various cancers and cardiovascular illness.