Allergic or Intolerance to Vitamins

Try sipping the water slow and some with and after you eat instead of all at once, and maybe try taking it at night. If neither of these tips help, you may be alergic to one of the vitimans in the multi.

It sounds as though you need to eat more of a breakfast to stop the queazy feeling. I know that if I don't eat enough food in the morning I get the repeat taste of the vitamin. So take it a little slower with the diet thing and add a little more healthy food in the morning and you should be fine.

I've had the same thing happen. A lot of over the counter supplements can be too much for some people's systems. The iron content, and the type of iron in the pill, also cause people problems.
There are several options and alternatives to the stuff you can buy over the counter at the local pharmacy. All supplements are NOT created equal!

One is to ask your doctor about prescription supplements. I had to get prescription prenatals because I would throw up the OTC prenatals. The prescription ones were formulated with versions of all the nutrients that were more easily digested. (for example Calcium Citrate instead of Calcium Carbonate, etc.)

Check with a Whole Foods or other "natural" store for vitamins in a food matrix (actually made from food sources, not laboratory-made) or liquid vitamins.

You might also try children's vitamins, then add woman-specific things like folic acid, iron (Slow FE brand or another easily digestible, form), and calcium (you can get chewable or liquid).

Some other good supplements are Cooper Complete, Shackley's (not sure I spelled that right) and glyconutrients (company name is Mannatech). I use glyconutrients, so I'm most familiar with those -- If you're ok swallowing pills, then you might try their "Phytomatrix" and "Plus" products.

It's also important to remember that just because something is a supplement and/or labeled "natural" doesn't mean it's good for you. Some vitamins can be considered toxic at high levels, so be sure you make informed decisions about what you choose!

Most vitamins only have a 30% or less absorption rate so your body does not process the iron etc. Centrum, over the counter kids chewables etc they all are a waste in my opinion because they are such a poor absorption rate. This is why a lot of doctors recommend against taking a multi vitamin.
I used to have the same problems with tasting them all day and feeling nauseas.
I now take Melaleuca's vitamins with a 90% absoption rate or higher and I do not feel this way anymore. The kids Vita Bears are 90% or higher too. Your body actually processes the vitamin and you feel better. They are not overpriced and they work so much better so if you get frustrated feeling sick with what you are taking let me know and I can get set up to order with Melaleuca.
www.LiveTotalWellness.com/TEXAS

i'm the same way. i'm not sure if you're taking two at the same time but what i do is take 1 in the morning and 1 after lunch. otherwise i get really sick to my stomach also and this helps.

i'm the same way. i have to take my vitamins (prenatals now) at night just before falling asleep. i've always had the queasiness and/ or vomiting with whatever vitamins i'm taking even when i eat breakfast. i used to split them in half but since i've found that night time works for me i've stuck with that. i also tried taking them with lunch or dinner and didn't have the same sensitive stomach later in the day. good luck

C.,
Personally, I can not take vitamins...any time I take vitamins it makes me severly nausious. I have always been told that if vitamins make you nausious, it is probably because you are "od-ing" on them. You probably already have enought of the vitamins and minerals in your daily intake of food, and you are over doing it with the vitamins. My suggestion... stop taking them. Good luck to you!

I used to burp up the taste of my vitamins until my body got used to them. Now, I don't even taste the fish oil I take (and I take them with Mountain Dew every morning).

I would still check with a doctor if you are allergic to a lot of things. It could cause problems later.

P. <><

That is not an allergic reaction. Probably to much iron. I would try a different brand. I have that sometimes myself. You may want to save the vitamin until you can have a bigger meal, like say at lunch. Iron needs an acidic environment to be properly digested anyway. So, you would probably benefit more from a bigger meal later in the day. You can also get one with less iron.
Allergies are a histamine reaction of some kind in the body, like rash, hives, swelling, watery eyes, shortness of breathe, difficulty breathing, itching etc. Personally, I am allergic to cantalope. I have an itching in my mouth and throat, and my lips and tongue begin to swell after one small quarter sized piece. Bananas make my tongue tingle and itch also. So be careful, you may also be allergic to the pesticides or sprays on the produce also.
Hope all that helps.
L., RN-15 yrs.

I do the same thing with my vitamins. Sometimes I "gag" it up. It could be the zinc. Some people have upset stomach with zinc. I figured out that I had to start taking it after a bigger meal, like lunch or dinner. Or even right before I go to bed.

I have to eat a FULL breakfast with mine or I feel the same way. It is always not an option for me so I started to take a Child's Multi vitamin 3 times a day. I feel much better. I do not think mine is an allergy but more a it is to strong and my tummy can't process it all fast enough. Just an idea.

Dear C.:

I had the same problem. A friend recommended adult chewables (Centrum). I tried it - no problems! It may be worth a try.

Good Luck!

Jen

Drop the vitamin in a glass of OJ- the acid will break away alot of the binding agents- and help w/absorbtion rate.

Like the other mom said, it's probably the iron content in the vitamin. Check the labels to find low iron vitamins. How did you do with the prenatals during your pregnancies?

Another suggestion that I have had is breaking the vitamin in half and taking 1/2 in the morning and 1/2 at night. Apparently, there is a better absorption rate doing it this way. Maybe it would be easier on your digestive system.
Otherwise, I would consider getting powdered vitamins and mixing them in a smoothie in the morning.