Should I Eat When I Take a Vitamin D Supplement?

Vitamin D is the sunlight vitamin.

Eating With Your Vitamins Helps Absorption

Vitamins aren't meant to be taken in isolation. Two-hundred plus years ago we would have received all our nutrients from food we ate. They would have contained a number of other nutrients including other vitamins, minerals and co-factors which help both with the absorption and utilization of vitamins and minerals. Additionally, vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin, and requires some sort of oil or fat to transport it into the body.

It's Always Better to Take Your Vitamins

The body needs vitamins to be able to perform its functions properly. These functions include things like digestion of protein, fats and carbohydrates, activation of the immune system and brain function. The most important thing is not when vitamins are taken, merely that they are supplied to the body. Also, vitamin D supplements are typically encapsulated with oil, giving them a transport into the body.

Bottom Line

If you can take your vitamin D and other vitamins and minerals with food you will get maximum absorption. However, if you don't have them when you eat your meal, it's better to have your vitamins on an empty stomach than not have them at all.