I am a vegetarian living an active lifestyle, and (consequently) I take several essential vitamins as supplements that I cannot get from my diet regularly (like B12, fish oil, etc.). Even if I were on an omnivore diet, I am still lacking of a guideline on when is the best time to take a vitamin (supplement), how much do I need of it, which vitamin cancels out or even boosts the absorption of the other, and whether it is beneficial to take them before or after a workout. If you are keen to get the full picture, this article is for you.

Most vitamins can be consumed at any point during the day, yet for optimal absorption, pairing them with a meal that includes dietary fat may enhance the body’s uptake of certain nutrients. For your body to operate effectively, it requires essential vitamins, which can be classified into two categories: water-soluble and fat-soluble. This distinction isn’t typically highlighted on product information sheets, as such details might not be immediately helpful for the average consumer’s dosing routine. Instead, these instructions usually advise taking vitamins with or after meals, or on an empty stomach with a glass of water. The former guidance generally pertains to fat-soluble vitamins, while the latter pertains to water-soluble ones.