DEAR DR. GOTT: It is definitely better for some vitamins and minerals to be taken with food at mealtimes, but other food supplements must be taken on an empty stomach. You can also take smaller amounts of some vitamins and minerals between meals, with water, and get a bigger punch from them. For me, it’s better to take mineral capsules, tablets or powders with lunch or supper than it is for breakfast, when my stomach enzymes aren’t strong enough to digest them well. The minerals give me a stomachache. Also, never take a multi-B vitamin before bedtime or you won’t get to sleep. See, it all depends!

DEAR READER: You certainly appear to have done your homework. I could not find confirmation for some of your claims, such as multi-B at bedtime causing insomnia; however, each of us responds differently to medication, even over-the-counters. [Read more...]