I’m an expert and you’ve been wasting money taking your vitamins all wrong

THE coronavirus pandemic has meant that lots of us have taken our health and wellbeing more seriously.

For some people, this means including vitamins and supplements into our daily routine.

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Deficiencies and diet are one of the main reasons that people take supplements.

They can be a costly habit to keep up and it's estimated that Brits spend a whopping £442 million on vitamins a year.

But if you're taking them at the wrong time, or even with a meal - then you could actually be wasting your hard earned cash, experts say.

It's important that when taking any vitamins or supplements that you ready the label and in some cases, you should talk to your GP first.

If in doubt you can always check with a pharmacist before you start to take supplements.

One supplement that many people take is iron - lots of people who take this may be anaemic or might struggle with energy levels.

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Data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows that three quarters of women are at risk of low iron as this is something that is lost during your period.

Some iron supplements come with vitamin C included as it can make it easier to absorb.

But one expert said you could be wasting your money on the little tablets if you're taking them with food.

ALL ABOUT IRON

London-based pharmacist and an independent adviser to the supplement industry, Aidan Goggins told the : "Iron should be taken on an empty stomach, because certain foods, especially dairy, can block its absorption.

"But vitamin C can help your body absorb iron, so it’s a good idea to combine it with this, either in the supplement, or by having a glass of orange juice."

He also said that if you have an iron deficiency then you shouldn't drink tea as it can inhibit the iron from your food.

Aidan added: "Because so many factors can interfere with your absorption of iron, I find it’s best taken as a combined supplement with vitamin C, an hour before bed — but two hours after supper."

PROS OF PROBIOTICS

It seems like every shelf has a probiotic on it at he moment and James Vickers, a registered nutritionist at Vitality said that there are foods that include these.

"Your diet should include foods that contain probiotics, or strains of live bacteria and yeast that aim to reach the gut and benefit the host. 

"Probiotics can be found in fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kefir and yoghurt", he explained.

But if you're taking your daily probiotic with your breakfast then you need to be careful to not wash it down with a hot drink.

This, Aidan says is because probiotics need to reach the gut intact in order to have any benefit.

Therefore you need to avoid taking them with anything that would destroy that, such as hot drinks, fruit juice and alcohol.

You should take them with plain water and half an hour before eating.

SUNSHINE VITAMIN

During the coronavirus pandemic, some studies suggested that Vitamin D could protect people against the virus - which of course saw the vitamins fly off the shelves.

The government advises that everyone takes 10 micrograms of vitamin D a day between October and early March, particularly the elderly.

Aidan said that if you're combining supplements though, you shouldn't have Vitamin D with E as they are absorbed the same way - meaning you could be paying for two supplements when only one is actually making a difference.

He said the best way to take Vitamin D is in the evening with food.

C YOU LATER?

Vitamin C is found in many foods such as oranges and orange juice · peppers, strawberries, blackcurrants, broccoli, brussels sprouts and potatoes.

It's a water soluble nutrient and Aidan said that these are best absorbed on an empty stomach, first thing in the morning.

He said for people taking large doses of the vitamin, they should take it as a split dose in order to avoid upsetting the stomach.

SOMETHING'S FISHY

Fish oils are a common supplement and contain sources of omega-3 which can help with a range of issues including heart disease.

Aidan said you should take these with foods that contain fat but that you should avoid taking them before a workout and before you go to bed.

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This is because when you take them they can result in gas being produced in your stomach.

This could mean the supplement travels up and triggers reflux - leaving you with a smelly burp.