People today are becoming increasingly more aware and educated of the importance of taking discount vitamins. Not only can vitamins increase energy as well as help fight disease and illness, but they also are an integral part of living a longer and healthier life.

Even stress, which is estimated to cause about 50% of people's adverse health effects according to the American Institute of Stress, can be helped with the right types of vitamins or supplements. It is important to keep in mind that vitamins by themselves cannot make or keep a person healthy; diet and exercise are also vital to a healthy lifestyle. There are two main types of vitamins, water soluble and fat soluble. Water- soluble vitamins are supplements that do not store in the body and are therefore taken more often than fat-soluble vitamins. They include vitamins such as B1, B2, B6, B12, C and Folic Acid. Fat soluble vitamins do not need to necessarily be taken every day and store themselves in the body, specifically in the liver. Fat soluble vitamins include A, D, E, K, and Beta Carotene.

Starting with a trip to the doctor, a discussion between doctor and patient can help determine the types of vitamins needed for each person's benefit. This is extremely important due to possible drug interactions that can take place between prescription drugs and vitamins, minerals, or supplements. In addition, the Internet provides the best environment in order to learn more about discount vitamins, as well as health conditions, dieting and exercise. Many vitamin sites today offer a variety of health and wellness articles as well as blogs and reviews so that consumers can be completely educated on the supplements that are being taken. These types of sites also contain extensive information as to how the vitamins should be taken, what the look like and how to be taken.

Folic acid, for example, is a great discount vitamin for women who are pregnant or may become pregnant as is helps to prevent anemia. In addition, developments in recent years have also led to the belief that folic acid is good for the heart as well. Folic acid has recently shown to reduce the risk of those suffering from the condition homocystinuria, which is a genetic mutation which increases the risk of a heart attack. Additional studies are now being done to see what other benefits Folic Acid can provide to a body.

For many, starting with a multivitamin is the best way to begin. Multivitamins normally consist of at least 27 vitamins and minerals. These work together to serve as an adjuster for imbalances in the body, usually caused by stress, illness or poor eating habits.

Once the discount vitamins and supplements are chosen, it is important that they are taken regularly and become part of the daily routine. While there is not any recommended time of day, the best rule of thumb is dependent upon whether there are any side effects associated with the vitamins being taken.

Iron should be taken on an empty stomach, as it needs to be absorbed into the body, and should be taken separately from supplements such as Vitamin E and Calcium.

Vitamin B complex causes mild nausea in some, so the best time to take it is with a meal, ensuring that the meal is not too greasy. A meal that is too greasy can interfere with the B complex absorbing in to the body.

Hydrochloric Acid supplements are best to take at the beginning of a meal. Hydrochloric Acid is usually taken when a person's body is not producing enough on its own as they eat. Taking at the beginning of a meal can help this process to work correctly.

Calcium Carbonate, also known as an antacid, should always be taken right after a meal for its maximum effectiveness.

S-Adenosylmethionine, better known as SAM-E, is used to help the immune system and to break down the brain chemicals serotonin, melatonin and dopamine. Although this supplement can cause an upset stomach, it is recommended that it be taken on an empty stomach. However, researchers have recently found that taking SAM-E an hour after eating can be just as beneficial as taking it before eating. Some vitamins need to be taken multiple times a day, so taking them with meals can be a good way to remember to take them.

In addition to possible side effects, some have difficulty swallowing pills, causing a challenge to take them regularly. The simplest and most convenient way to resolve this problem is to take a chewable form instead. If a chewable form is not available, opening or breaking up the capsules/tablets and blending them in to a smoothie or drink is also recommended. This same technique is used for children who dislike taking vitamins or other medications, as the taste of the food or drink disguises the taste and/or texture of the supplement. It is incredibly important however to not take alcohol with vitamins and minerals. The alcohol can affect the metabolism of nearly all vitamins as well as their absorption in to the body.

In the end, only a person and their doctor or health care physician can create the best routine for discount vitamin and supplement intake. Taking to a doctor and doing additional research online is crucial. Equally as crucial is becoming and staying educated on the vitamins being taken and continuing care with a healthy lifestyle to include diet and exercise.