Get advice on how to stop stomach pain from vitaminsand prevent itwith proven tips from gastroenterologists.

Unfortunately, for some people, taking supplements can come with one very unwanted side effect: gastrointestinal discomfort.

For one, the problem could be the specific throw in of supplement.

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Certain supplements, including vitamin C and iron, can cause gastrointestinal discomfort in some people.

The contents of your stomach when the supplement is taken can also have an impact.

The same issue might also occur if a vitamin is taken along with other supplements.

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gastroenterologist at NYU Langone Health

A high dosage of a supplementor multiple supplementscan also lead to stomach pain.

Put something in your stomach.

She suggests eating bland carbohydrates, like toast, crackers, or rice, or drinking water.

close up of person drinking a green smoothie that may cause their poop to be green

However, she underscores the importance of not having too much of either.

Its probably better to stay upright.

Have a cup of warm tea.

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However, she warns that many anti-nausea pills have a sedative effect.

As an alternative, consider a warm cup ofgut-healthy tea.

She recommends peppermint or ginger tea to help alleviate nausea.

cup of matcha green tea sitting on a wooden ledge

gastroenterologist at NYU Langone Health

Just be sure to drink your tea warm and not too hot.

Extremes of hot or cold will stimulate the gut more and youll get more cramping, she says.

Find out which vitamins are causing digestive distress.

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If youre taking more than one supplement, first figure out which oneor onesis the main offender.

Dr. Rajapaksa says there are other supplements that can cause an upset stomach, as well.

If any of these supplements are part of your routine, you may want to take some extra precautions.

Woman drinking a protein meal replacement shake in the kitchen

Space out your intake of supplements.

While swallowing all your supplements in one go may be your preferred method, your stomach might not agree.

All to say: When in doubt, space them out.

Pair your supplements with food.

4. check that you arent overdoing it.

Purchase supplements from a trusted supplier.

Its worth mentioning that supplement companies are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

For example, some gummy vitamins contain artificial sweeteners which some may find hard to digest.

Of course, for a variety of reasons, that isnt always the case.

For one, its not necessarily easy to ensure every meal is perfectly well-rounded.

There are occasions when options and time are limited.

Secondly, were all coming from differentlife stages that require their own nutritional needs, too.

All to say, vitamin supplements can help ensure your body is getting all the nutrients it needs.

Of course, supplements shouldnt cause gastrointestinal discomfort.

If not, just ask your MD for help.

That is, after all, a far more delicious way to get your vitamins.

Frequently asked questions

Which vitamins are most likely to upset the stomach?

Dr. Robbins adds that magnesium can also cause stomach upset for some people.

Which vitamins shouldnt be taken on an empty stomach?

Typically, youll want to avoid taking fat-soluble vitamins on an empty stomach, says Dr. Robbins.

Dr. Rajapaska also mentions reading the label to determine whether a vitamin supplement should be taken with food.

Which vitamins shouldnt be taken together?

(Consider iron and zinc, as one example.)

She mentions that vitamins can also interfere with prescription medications.

Theyll often reduce absorption of your medication, she says.

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