Which Supplements Should Not Be Taken Together?

More and more people are turning to dietary supplements to boost their nutrient intake. And many don’t just take one supplement, but several at once. Sooner or later, almost everyone reaches the point where they ask themselves: Which Supplements Should Not Be Taken Together?
We’ve read all the important studies and explain some key basics*.

Your extra in this article: “Which vitamins should not be taken together” table.
→ Discover at a glance which combos are (not) suitable.

Your Knowledge To Go: Which Supplements Should Not Be Taken Together?

• Some supplements should not be combined but rather taken with some time apart.

• Especially the combinations of minerals like iron, zinc, magnesium, and calcium can be tricky.

• You’ll often find first info on the package leaflet, and experts such as doctors or nutritionists can advise you if you’re unsure.

• Some combos, like vitamin C and iron, can actually be very useful!

Myth Check – Which Supplements Should Not Be Taken Together?

First, we’ll look at the most common questions about different combos. After that, you’ll find a table overview of the most common supplements, where you can easily see which supplements should not be taken together.

Combos with Zinc

Zinc seems to be the problem child among supplements. Very often you read “don’t take zinc with …”. Let’s take a closer look at the most important combos and give you an objective assessment of what works and what should rather be avoided.
Which supplements should not be taken together with zinc?

Can you take vitamin D and zinc together?
Our tip: Yes!

Can you take zinc and magnesium together?
Our tip: Yes and no!
Studies show that extremely high doses of zinc (much higher than normal supplements) can interfere with magnesium absorption. If you still prefer to take them separately, keep a gap of a few hours between zinc and magnesium. Normally, however, this is not necessary, and you can take magnesium and zinc together – no problem.

Can you take calcium and zinc together?
Our tip: No!
These two minerals use similar transport routes for absorption in the intestine. Taken together, they can compete with each other.

Can you take vitamin B and zinc together?
Our tip: Yes!
Many people prefer taking vitamin B in the morning and zinc in the evening, as it fits their daily rhythm better. But you can safely combine them. This applies both to a vitamin B complex and to individual vitamins – for example, you can also take zinc and vitamin B12 together.

Can you take zinc and selenium together?
Our tip for lower doses: Yes!
If you’re taking both in high doses, it may be better to space them out.

Combos with Vitamin D

Just like with zinc, there are many myths about vitamin D combinations. Let’s clear things up!
Which supplements should not be taken together with vitamin D?

Can you take vitamin D and C together?
Our tip: Yes!
Many people really like combining these two and take them at the same time. Small tip: Vitamin D is fat-soluble and should therefore be taken with a meal, while vitamin C is water-soluble and should be taken with plenty of fluids. You can take vitamin C and D together, for example at breakfast or lunch – but you don’t have to.

Can you take vitamin D and iron together?
Our tip: Yes! You can safely take iron and vitamin D together.

Can you take calcium and vitamin D together?
Our tip: Yes!
Professional societies even say that taking them together can be practical. The idea that vitamin D and calcium should not be taken together is just a myth.

Combos with Iron

Which supplements should not be taken together with iron?

Can you take vitamin D and iron together?
Our tip: Yes! You can safely take iron and vitamin D together.

Can you take iron and zinc together?
Our tip: No!
Zinc and iron should not be taken together. It’s best to keep a gap of a few hours (around 2–4 hours). Since iron is usually taken on an empty stomach before breakfast and zinc is often taken before bedtime, this usually works out fine.

Can you take iron and magnesium together?
Our tip: No!
These two minerals should also be spaced out, as they compete for the same transport routes. Some forms of magnesium may be more compatible with iron – check individually for details.

Can you take vitamin C and iron together?
Our tip: Yes! These two supplements can absolutely be combined, as vitamin C enhances iron absorption in the gut. This is especially important for plant-based iron.

Can you take iron and calcium together?
Our tip: That’s a clear no!

Combos with Magnesium

What should not be taken together with magnesium?

Can you take omega 3 and magnesium together?
Our tip: Yes! That’s completely uncomplicated.

Can you take vitamin C and magnesium together?
Our tip: Yes! Many people like combining these two. If you want, you can take magnesium and vitamin C together.

Can you take OPC and magnesium together?
Our tip: No!
But that’s not a problem, since OPC is often taken in the morning on an empty stomach or before meals, while many people prefer magnesium with or after a meal. So just keep some distance between the two.

Attentive readers may have already noticed: the main problem areas are minerals – mainly iron, calcium, zinc, and magnesium. So, the answer to “Which supplements should not be taken together?” is often at least partly a mineral. This can be a helpful guideline in everyday life. The four-way combo of calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc is particularly tricky!

Which Supplements Should Not Be Taken Together? | Table

For better clarity, here’s a table of the most common combos.
Which supplements should not be taken together?

Yes = Taking together is possible
No = Not recommended to take together

*In the past, people thought a combo wasn’t good, but now we know it’s completely fine to take both together.
**At high amounts, a time gap should be kept; otherwise, it doesn’t matter.

Which Vitamins Can Be Taken Together?

The question of which supplements should not be taken together is now answered. Just as some supplements should not be combined, there are also combos that work well together – and are even offered combined by manufacturers.
How can supplements be combined correctly?

• Vitamin D and K2
  Do you have to take vitamin D with K2? First of all, you don’t HAVE to. But the combo is very common, and you’ll often even find them as combination products.

• Vitamin C and iron
  These two can definitely be taken together, as vitamin C boosts iron absorption in the gut. This is especially important for plant-based iron.

• Calcium and vitamin D
  Professional societies like the DGE say that combining these two can be practical. The idea that vitamin D and calcium shouldn’t be taken together is just a myth.

• Zinc and vitamin A
  These two can be combined practically.

Conclusion

Now you know which supplements you should not take together. Of course, we can’t cover every single supplement or individual case here. Always seek medical advice and check the info on package leaflets.

Do you have questions? Feel free to send me an email – I look forward to hearing from you! :)

*Disclaimer: We are not doctors and therefore do not provide fixed intake recommendations in this article, only general information and tips.