I haven’t been able to find any decent medical/official-looking documents on this, rather anecdotal evidence and pseudo-scientific musings that are contradictory. Does anyone know whether absorption of multi-vitamin pills/mixes (herinafter “vitamins”) is better right before I go to bed or right after I wake up? By better, I mean, more useful.
I assumed that I’d digest/assimilate the vitamins better if I took them before bed, giving my body the whole night to break them down and do whatever they’re needed to (assuming, of course, any vitamins gained during the course of the day would most likely be depleted by then), but considering that I’ve still got dinner digesting, would that hinder absorption? I understand that my dinner (and possibly previous meals) is not yet fully digested by the time I wake up, but my stomach would be emptier and might be able to “get right on it” as far as digesting the minerals/etc. were concerned. I typically don’t eat anything for two hours after waking up.
During several week-long trials, all I can figure out is that I don’t sleep as well if taking them at night (but have more vivid dreams) and am hungry when I wake up but have more energy during the day. Should I take them in the morning…everything’s “normal.”
Of course, this falsely assumes that the only worthwhile intake of vitamins occurs at one point during the day, either morning or night, so we may have to assume that any vitamins taken will be to “smooth over” deficiencies from diet.
Any thoughts?