Do Not Mix These Herbs, Vitamins, Minerals, and Foods!!
In herbalism you learn a lot about what works together but seldom do you hear about what doesn't.
Today I'll share 11 different herbs, foods, minerals, and vitamins you must avoid taking together.
1) This one is common in a lot of multivitamin supplements but is a waste of your money. Magnesium and calcium. These two minerals cancel each other out giving you no benefit.
It's best to take them at least two hours apart.
TIP: Magnesium should be taken in the evening for better sleep. Magnesium can also be absorbed through the skin in creams and ointments promoting relaxation and relieving sore muscle tension (will be selling soon through Hooser Health stay tuned).
2) Potassium and Calcium
These minerals when taken together compete for absorption. Resulting in less absorption or deficiency. Be sure to space them out for at least two hours.
TIP: People who work out in more humid climates are lacking Potassium. Eat a kiwi or banana before exercising for better results and less cramping.
3) Zinc and Copper.
According to the Mayo Clinic, 30% of Americans are Copper deficient. Copper is needed to help your body use iron. Copper is essential for your nervous system, bone growth, and sugar processing. We typically get copper from foods like avocados, dark chocolate, liver, and chickpeas. Copper supplements are used to help with serious conditions like intestine disease, kidney disease, and pancreas disease.
Zinc is an amazing immune booster and cuts a cold time in half if taken at the first sign. However, Zinc interferes with copper absorption! High doses of zinc taken over the long term (50 mg or more per day for 10 weeks or longer) can cause copper deficiency.
***TIP: If you eat food for copper or take a copper supplement wait at least two hours before taking zinc. If you are on a high dose of zinc speak with your doctor, herbalist, or nutrition specialist about ways to combat copper deficiency.
4) Vitamins A, D, E, and K
For best absorption, it's best to space them out. Most multi-vitamins have these together and usually is OK
unless you suffer from a deficiency.
TIP: Most people are deficient in vitamin k. Take a vitamin K supplement or eat your greens at least two hours apart from your other fat-soluble vitamins.
5) Iron and Curcumin, turmeric root, Herbal tea
Iron distributes oxygen to the cells vital for energy. However, your body will not absorb iron if you take it with green tea, black tea, turmeric root, or curcumin supplements.
***TIP: Wait at least three hours or more for best results.
6) Red Yeast Rice and Niacin
If you suffer from high cholesterol and prefer to take natural supplements to lower your levels then both of these are excellent. Just not together. Doubling these up does not increase the benefit of fighting cholesterol but increases the risk of damaging your liver!
TIP: Ask a doctor before taking either of these supplements if you are on any cholesterol-lowering pharmaceutical.
7) St. John’s Wort and Antidepressants
St. John’s wort increase levels of the feel-good brain chemical serotonin. However, if mixed with antidepressants it can cause fever, confusion, and anxiety. If taken with serotonin-based antidepressants then it can cause muscle rigidity and seizures.
***TIP: DO NOT mix St. John’s Wort and antidepressants EVER.
8) CoQ10 and Diabetes Medications
CoQ10 is one of the best natural compounds to help the heart. However, do not take this supplement if you are on ANY diabetic medication. For CoQ10 is known to lower blood sugar and blood pressure. If mixed with diabetic medication it can dramatically increase your risk of low blood sugar and decrease your blood pressure leading to a serious risk of injury and head injury from falling or fainting.
***TIP: DO NOT Mix CoQ10 and Diabetes medications.
9) Antibiotics and Iron
If you find yourself needing an antibiotic STOP using all iron supplements immediately. Iron will make your antibiotics less likely to work.
***TIP: You may resume taking iron after one to two weeks from your last antibiotic dose. Consult your doctor.
10) Fish Oil, Ginger, Gingko Biloba, Garlic, Feverfew, vitamin E, White Willow Bark Vitamin K, and Blood Thinners or OTC Blood Thinners
This is quite a hefty list I know... but all these have one thing in common. They thin the blood. Eating and or supplementing these together can keep the blood from clotting and can cause internal bleeding if there is trauma to the body.
***TIP: Your doctor or herbalist must know every supplement you are taking and why.
11) Blood Thinners and Echinacea
Echinacea is another great immune booster and is more well-known. It is not recommended for those on blood Thinners as decreases the effectiveness of blood thinners and increases the risk of stroke.
***TIP: Do not take Echinacea if you suffer from an autoimmune disease. Your immune system will become hyper-vigilant and attack itself causing a flare. Same with garlic.
It must be noted that almost all pharmaceuticals are made from compounds found in nature. Herbalism is just going to the natural source and taking it in its purest form. Because of this, we must all be vigilant in knowing that natural does not mean it is harmless. I hope that this brings you insight as you journey towards optimal health and wellness.
- Happy Healing From Hooser Health
