Supplements and Morning Coffee: Timing Iron, Zinc, Calcium, B Vitamins, and Vitamin D: Nutritionist Leyla Muedin explains that coffee (and tea) can interfere with nutrient absorption and digestion, so certain supplements shouldn’t be taken with morning coffee. Coffee’s tannins and polyphenols can significantly reduce non-heme iron absorption (decaf doesn’t prevent this), and similar binding issues may affect zinc; she recommends taking iron with water at least 1–2 hours away from coffee and pairing it with vitamin C. Because caffeine may increase urination, B vitamins (especially thiamine) may be lost more readily, so she suggests taking them with food but not with coffee. Vitamin D is best taken with a fat-containing meal (not washed down with coffee), and calcium supplements should be separated from coffee since caffeine can slightly increase calcium loss. She also notes interactions such as green tea reducing folate absorption, spinach oxalates limiting mineral absorption, phytates in bran/legumes reducing iron and zinc absorption, and calcium (milk or supplements) cutting iron absorption, emphasizing timing rather than eliminating these foods.
Creators and Guests
Leyla Muedin, MS, RD, CDN
Leyla has been a practicing nutritionist since 2003, when she started under the tutelage of the famed Dr. Robert Atkins at the Atkins Center for Complementary Medicine. Since 2005, she has worked alongside Dr. Hoffman at the Hoffman Center and then in private practice.
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Pioneering complementary medicine practitioner Dr. Ronald Hoffman takes a cutting-edge approach to health, wellness, and aging. He covers both conventional and alternative modalities, as well as nutrition, exercise, and supplements.