The Best Times of Day to Take Your Supplements

Is there a best time and an ideal way to take your supplements?

Dietary supplements can get pricey, and there are several factors that influence how well you're going to absorb your nutrients from them.

There are an incredible number of variables at play.

Some nutrients:

Block absorption of other nutrients
Block absorption of medications
Help increase the absorption of other nutrients
Are fat-soluble and must be taken with food
Are water-soluble and can be taken away from food

How are you supposed to know?

Keeping the above in mind, the supplement information we've provided here is based on our research surrounding a typical dose and way to take it. Of course, always talk to your doctor first to consider any drug interactions and potential risks of starting a supplement regimen.

Many of these supplements are critical for thyroid patients or are found as common nutrient depletions in Hashimoto's and thyroid patients. However, these nutrients can have tremendous benefits for those who are healthy or recovering from a chronic illness.

Above all, do not blindly supplement without knowing your nutrient levels, as having too much of these vitamins and minerals in your system can be extremely dangerous. For example, Vitamin D is a critical nutrient (and not a vitamin, but a hormone!) can cause nausea, vomiting, or anxiety. Because it is a fat-soluble nutrient, it can take time to leave the body if levels are too high.

For more info about each of these supplements, check out the links/info below:

Selenium - supports conversion of inactive to active thyroid hormone by using iodine in the body efficiently.
Vitamin E - also tied to reducing Alzheimer's risk
Adaptogens - help your body and stress hormone response adapt to various stressors
Thiamine - A B-vitamin normally deficient in alcoholics, this may help with fatigue levels
B-vitamins, most commonly B12 - Supports mood, hormone balance, energy production, brain function, skin, hair, and digestion. Commonly used up more quickly with adrenal stress and often depleted with thyroid conditions.
N-Acetyl Cysteine - an amino acid that boosts glutathione, an antioxidant that is critical for liver detox.
Multivitamin - Dr. Mark Hyman (Director of the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine) recommends one that includes vitamins A, C, D, and E, as well as all the B vitamins, vitamin K, minerals, and other key nutrients. Multis with iron, copper, and iodine could potentially worsen thyroid symptoms (as an example), so more is not always better.
Digestive Enzymes - May improve energy levels by reducing the body's effort needed to break down food. Might help with fatigue.
Fish Oil/Omega-3 - Dr. Hyman indicates that deficiency affects about 98% of the population. Omega 3 fats are critical for supporting brain function, mood, improving your metabolism, preventing diabetes, reducing inflammation,
Vitamin D3 - A number of practitioners report that they identify Vitamin D deficiency in at least 95% of patients with chronic illness or autoimmune disease.
Zinc - Known to have significant impact on immune system function, hair growth, eyes, skin, digestive health, omega-3 fatty acid metabolism, and thyroid function.
Iron/Ferritin - helps red blood cells circulate oxygen all around your body and is necessary for survival. Deficiency is often tied to hair loss and chronic fatigue.
Vitamin C - Plays a role in healthy bones and joints, energy production, brain health/mood, reducing damage/aging from free radicals, immune system, glutathione production, supporting adrenal health