taking vitamins with food is not an issue. Since they occur in food and that is what we are geared for.

But for B12 absorption, assuming failures of normal systems, B12 should be on an empty stomach.

I take mine at night before bed, because I don't eat after dinner.

But you can choose a time convenient for you. Microgram doses of anything in the drug/nutrient world, are best absorbed on an empty stomach. Fiber and other buffers absorb these tiny doses and remove them from the GI lining.
Thyroid meds, and digoxin are examples of drugs that have been found to be not absorbed when food is present. B12 is also a microgram dose...so it follows that empty stomach is best.

Thanks, MrsD! I'll keep that in mind when setting up the new schedule. The morning dose I take on an empty stomach. Tonight I'll wait and take my second dose just before bed.

I'm not sure if this is because I have osteoporosis or for everyone but is your calcium with vitamin d? I used to take tums but the endo said to take 1000 mg I think of calcium with vitamin d.

As answered above , you'll get more B12 on an empty stomach.

rose

OK, thanks! I've switched when I take my B-12 so that it's on an empty stomach in the morning at least as empty as possible in the evening. I eat a bowl of cheerios most nights because I have to have one bowl a day and in the evenings is when I'm most likely to crave carbs.

Any ideas about the Magnesium?

with food... as on an empty stomach it may act as a laxative.

It is absolutely not necessary to take the B12 in divided doses. You could take it once in the morning if you wanted.

Calcium, zinc and mag are controlled by cellular active transport mechanisms, so dividing up the doses is better. Dividing up water soluble vits like C and B complex also is better since they are excreted quickly.

But B12 in large doses is passively absorbed in the small intestine, like a drug.
Less of a critical thing for timing or dividing up the dose.

I seemed to have stomach issues if I take all my B's at the same time. So for now at least I'll leave things as they are. Maybe once I get used to it, as I'm still upping the dose, it won't be as much of a problem.

As for the Mag...is there anything I shouldn't take it with as far as what else I'm taking? I know to take it with food and with a missing gallbladder I certainly don't need a laxative.

I picked up a pill box. It has 4 daily dose compartments and goes for 7 days. Now I'll be able to keep all this straight.

I added D - 400iu, Green Tea Extract - 2 150 mg caps a day in two doses for now. It's says to take 2 caps twice a day with food. Also began the E and C again this evening.

For the Vitamin D. go and sit in the sun (before noon and after 3 pm.) for 20 minutes a day. That is if you can do this.

My friend Angie, (from around the corner) is 88 years young. She just got 4 stents and a defribilator. Her doctor sent her to an endocrinologist who put her on red wine pills. And of course she's on the plavix, aspirin, and metoprolol.

Now, you have to picture this woman at 88 years. Mini skirts, white sandals (and she just put two artificia toe nails on both big toes) and painted them white. She has black hair, wears makeup and looks like an older version of Elizabeth Taylor. She drives (today was her first day back and being allowed to drive again).

We all whooped and yelled as she came down the block. She had an outfit on that would make you see red, she's the hottest hootchie around.

We go nuts over her. Always smiling and laughing. I told her "all you need now is a man" and she yelled "are you nuts, never again".

Her endo told her, For vitamin D, go in the sun, etc. etc.

He's also a chinese herbologist.

So if an 88 year old with 4 stents and a mini skirt can walk down the street in hot looking white sandals with a smile on her face (and she ihas an implanted defibillator), well anything's possible!!!!!

lol Mel

Mrs..d now i know why i was having problems with the magnesium.
For me the fish oil has really helped because of my problems with
Statins. Sue Oh J when Bob was taking Tramdol he got real dizzy,
I though it might be because he was 78 and not drinking enough.
Also he's not use to meds,but a broken pelvis bone hurts. Sue

I haven't added the D yet. I'll be getting some this evening when I replenish my B and other supplies. I'll have to see what the amount of D should be for the amount of calcium I'm taking. But thanks so much for this reminder!