How long does it take for a supplement (pill form) to be absorbed by the body?

I am attempting to eat a healthy diet where I eat approximately every three hours to keep my metabolism high. From what I understand, it will take approximately one hour for my body to digest my food and leave me with an empty stomach. Most of my supplements need to be taken on an empty stomach, and many of my supplements need to be taken separately.

If I wait one hour after a meal to take a supplement, how much time do I need to wait before I take my next supplement? In other words, how much time will it take for the body to absorb a pill so that I will once again have an empty stomach?

I usually take all of my empty stomach supplements at the same time. What are you taking that doesn’t mix well with others?

I take Animal Pak(little bag that contains 11 pills/tablets to swallow) it is said to be one of the best multi vitamins on the market and has a rather impressive list of ingredients that have given me a lot of PIs since I started taking it. The directions are to take it in the morning on an empty stomach and then not to eat or drink anything but water for an hour(it may only be 30 min…can’t remember).

I’m fairly certain I need to take Arginine by itself. The other amino acids I take are Tyrosine, Phenylalanine, Lysine and Carnitine.

The other supplements I take are Grape Seed Extract, Reservatrol, Acai Berry, Ginkgo, Pycnogenol, Korean Ginseng, as well as fish oil, 5-htp and vitamins.

I will usually take Grape Seed, Ginkgo, Pycnogenol and Ginseng together. I will sometimes take Tyrosine and Phenylalanine together. I will sometimes take Lysine and Carnitine together.

I take fish oil, resveratrol and vitamins immediately after breakfast. I take 5-htp before bed.

I am sure you can take all of your amino acids together at the same time. If you have ever looked at the ingredients label on a whey protein supplement, you will find a long list of different amino acids it contains, including those on your list. So make life a little less complicated and take them all together.

That sounds like a good plan. I do have EAS premium protein and there are many amino acids on the list.

How long do you think these supplements will take to be absorbed?

Just out of curiosity. I’m taking L-Arginine along with a B complex and ginseng. Why would I need to take the arginine separately?

The 2 main criteria for taking supplements is to look for whether they should be taken on an empty stomach, or with food, or whether taking them together would cause them to cancel each other out or have some kind of adverse reaction.

Amino acids tend to be empty stomach supplements because they are absorbed better that way while vitamins tend to be recommended with food to prevent stomach upset. Ginseng is better absorbed on an empty stomach, but if it causes difficulties, can also be taken with food.

Usually the label gives dosage recommendations.

The body absorbs and metabolizes different chemicals at different rates. Some things like amino acids or aspirin for instance are metabolized quickly while a product like Cialis, tadalafil, has a long half life and stays in the system for a longer time. Vitamins have different rates also. The best way to know for sure would be to research each one separately.

Aussie, I don’t see a problem with that combination. The reason they recommend amino acids be taken separately is many compete with each other. Not all do follow the same pathways and some are fine to mix.

I have read the ginseng’s effects can be inhibited by citrus fruit/juice and possibly vitamin c. This was in herbals and I have no research back ups. I do believe Traditional Chinese medicine recommends no citrus and I think any real teas if you are using ginseng.

I found that from this website:

That’s really good information to know. I learn something nearly every time I check this site. However, I have only gotten a Ginseng boost that was noticeable when I took it alone. Should I continue to take it simultaneously with Ginkgo, Pycnogenol and Grape Seed Extract?

It is basically because the L-Arginine competes for absorption with other amino acids, so if you want to get the full effect, you need an empty stomach.

Vitamin supplements on an empty stomach make me nauseous, especially B Complex.

B-complex is supposed to be taken with a meal.