Tick, Tock

Boost your energy and your health by taking your herbs, supplements and vitamins at just the right time.

- By Erin Macdonald, RDN, and Tiffani Bachus, RDN

O/ I know that vitamins can provide an extra energy boost, but does it matter when I take them?

A/ It matters because your body must be primed to receive whatever you're giving it. It's easy to pop a vitamin and think you're good, but there's a lot to consider.

Why timing matters

The timing of when you take your supplements significantly affects the way in which your body absorbs and utilizes the nutrients. With a few tweaks on timing, you could get even more nutritional bang out of each vitamin or mineral you take.

While there are a good number of vitamins and supplements that can be taken any time of the day, some are more effective when taken under special conditions. Timing your supps just right helps you optimize their absorption, a detail that can make your vitamins more potent and more beneficial for overall nutrition.

It all depends on which vitamins you're taking

To determine whether you should be taking a handful of vitamins in the morning, pairing your vitamins with your meals or taking a few at night, open your medicine cabinet and take a close look at what kinds of vitamins and supplements you're working with.

• Take these vitamins in the morning: