Taking Vitamins While Fasting
Whether you’re taking a break from consuming foods for personal or health reasons, you still want to maintain your daily routines. This may include taking vitamin supplements. Do vitamins break a fast? The answer to this is multifaceted: while vitamins are a component of food, they may need to be taken with food or water—and in the case of some religious traditions, even water can break a fast.1,5
What is fasting?
The definition of fasting means restricting the intake of food or drink.1,2 People fast for multiple reasons. A well-known form of fasting is intermittent fasting. During intermittent fasting, food consumption may be limited to certain hours of the day.3 The core of intermittent fasting is consuming minimally during the fasting period without depriving oneself of essential nutrients.3
Some religious holidays include periods of fasting. Additionally, some medical procedures may require fasting/avoiding certain foods or fluids: we recommend consulting with your doctor on the medical fasting requirements specific to your situation.1
The role of nutritional supplements in daily health
Taking vitamins and supplements can be a great way to fill nutritional gaps.4 For example, those who eat a limited diet, like vegans and vegetarians, may benefit from vitamin and mineral supplementation with the help of a registered dietician or other healthcare professional.4
Can you take vitamins while fasting?
Many multivitamins work best when taken with food, which may break a fast. If you are participating in a medical procedure that requires fasting, it is important to adhere to guidelines established by doctors and anesthesiologists and consult with medical professionals on the appropriate supplement regimen for you.5
If you are participating in a fast with certain hours or timeframes like intermittent fasting, taking a tablet with food before or after the time of your fast can be a convenient way to get your vitamins without disrupting your fasting period. If you have questions about fasting and dietary supplements, you should consult with your healthcare provider for more information.
Centrum vitamins come in multiple forms, and Centrum Adults Multivitamins are tablets that are recommended to be taken with food and are formulated with 23 key micronutrients to help support daily energy levels¥, support normal immune function^, and assist in the body’s metabolism± of macronutrients.*
¥ B vitamins support daily energy needs.*
^ Vitamins C and E support normal immune function.*
± B vitamins aid in the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins.*
*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
