Smoothy Slim
Photo by Karolina Grabowska Pexels Logo Photo: Karolina Grabowska

What vitamins cause constipation?

In supplement-speak, these parts are the individual vitamins and minerals. However, experts have linked some vitamins and minerals to increased constipation. ... The most commonly-cited culprits include: Iron [1] Calcium [2] Folic acid [3] Vitamin D [4]

everlywell.com - Can Multivitamins Cause Constipation? - Everlywell
What are 3 causes triggers to the inflammatory response?
What are 3 causes triggers to the inflammatory response?

The inflammatory response (inflammation) occurs when tissues are injured by bacteria, trauma, toxins, heat, or any other cause. Jan 23, 2022

Read More »
Last updated Oct 27, 2020
What happens if you have beetroot everyday?
What happens if you have beetroot everyday?

Risks of overconsumption include: Increased risk of kidney stones: Since beets are high in the compound oxalate, eating too many can contribute to...

Read More »
Last updated Jan 26, 2021
Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days
Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »
Promotion

Medically reviewed on August 1, 2022 by Karen Janson, M.D. To give you technically accurate, evidence-based information, content published on the Everlywell blog is reviewed by credentialed professionals with expertise in medical and bioscience fields.

Table of contents

For weeks, you’ve put your physical and mental health first, taking a multivitamin recommended by your healthcare provider. However, you may have discovered that one bodily function has been anything but regular: your bowel movements. After running through a list of possible causes for your constipation and bloating, you settle on a likely offender: your new multivitamin. But can multivitamins cause constipation?

The answer is yes and no. While multivitamins as a whole don’t cause constipation, some vitamins and minerals present in them may contribute to irregularity. Fortunately, we’re here to fill you in on these stool-stopping dietary supplements so you can keep receiving the benefits of multivitamins without the pain of blocked bowels.

Which vitamins and minerals cause constipation?

Like a well-oiled car, a multivitamin is a supplement composed of many “parts” that work together to get you where you need to go. In supplement-speak, these parts are the individual vitamins and minerals. However, experts have linked some vitamins and minerals to increased constipation. The most commonly-cited culprits include:

Iron [1]

Calcium [2]

Folic acid [3]

Vitamin D [4]

Let’s break down each of these culprits in more depth.

Iron

When it comes to keeping your bloodstream in tip-top shape, few minerals are more essential than iron. In short, taking an iron supplement helps the body produce enough red blood cells to: [1]

Carry oxygen throughout the bloodstream

Remove carbon dioxide from the bloodstream

Produce a vital protein called hemoglobin

Without sufficient iron, you’re at a greater risk of iron deficiency anemia. However, experts have also linked increased iron to the following intestinal issues: [5]

Abdominal pain

Does drinking water lower sodium?
Does drinking water lower sodium?

If you drink too much water, you can cause sodium (salt) levels in your body to be diluted to a dangerously low level, disrupting your electrolyte...

Read More »
Last updated Oct 16, 2018
How many bottles of water should I drink a day?
How many bottles of water should I drink a day?

You've probably heard the advice to drink eight glasses of water a day. That's easy to remember, and it's a reasonable goal. Most healthy people...

Read More »
Last updated Mar 5, 2022
Tasty breakfast juice melts 59lbs of wobbly fat
Tasty breakfast juice melts 59lbs of wobbly fat

A scrumptious morning smoothy based on the diets of among the healthiest, longest-living hamlet in the world.

Learn More »
Promotion

Bloating

Diarrhea

Constipation

To help prevent these negative intestinal issues, healthcare providers recommend taking only your prescribed iron dosage and avoiding large doses after six months of continual supplementation.

Calcium

If your parents ever told you to drink a glass of milk for strong bones, you’ve really been told to increase your calcium intake. That’s because calcium is one of the top minerals in dairy products, supporting the following: [2]

Skeletal and bone health

Heart health

Blood circulation

Hormone regulation

Most people receive enough calcium through their diet. However, if you can’t meet the recommended daily amount of 1,000-1,200 mg for people aged 19-71, you may have to add a calcium supplement to your diet. [6] That said, it’s best to take only your prescribed calcium dosage. Excess calcium can lead to constipation. [7]

Folic acid

Reduce birth defects (especially neural defects)

Decrease the risk of heart disease and stroke

Reduce the risk of some cancers

Treat some forms of depression

Just as many people meet their daily calcium requirement from their diet, so too do they meet their daily folic acid requirement—especially by consuming dark leafy greens and beans. However, if you can’t meet your daily folic acid through diet alone, you may need to take a vitamin B9 dietary supplement. This is especially true if you’re pregnant or may become pregnant. That said, like calcium, too much folic acid can lead to constipation and bloating. [3] As a result, healthcare providers recommend limiting your folic acid intake to your prescribed dose.

Vitamin D

Calcium’s bone-supporting sidekick, vitamin D is crucial for bone health. Without vitamin D, your body can’t absorb calcium—no matter how many calcium supplements you take.

Brain function

Muscle health

Immune health

The good news is that your body produces vitamin D through sunlight, and some foods contain vitamin D. However, if you’re not receiving adequate amounts of vitamin D through diet and sunlight, you may have to take a supplement. Dietitians recommend 600 international units (IU) daily of vitamin D for people aged 1-70. [9]

Is Apple good for diabetes?
Is Apple good for diabetes?

Apples are an excellent fruit to include in your diet if you have diabetes. Most dietary guidelines for people living with diabetes recommend a...

Read More »
Last updated Mar 29, 2019
Can juicing get rid of arthritis?
Can juicing get rid of arthritis?

Juicing is a great way to fill up on antioxidants and reduce inflammation. Find out how to do it in a healthy, safe way. The antioxidants in fruits...

Read More »
Last updated Sep 12, 2020
Common yard weed melts 60lbs of fat?
Common yard weed melts 60lbs of fat?

Made into a potent powdered supplement blended right into water or your favorite beverage to be appreciated as a scrumptious morning smoothy.

Learn More »
Promotion

On the flip side, too much vitamin D (more than 4,000 IU per day) can lead to constipation and bloating—especially in children, pregnant women, or breastfeeding women.

How to best prevent constipation caused by multivitamins

The easiest way to prevent constipation caused by multivitamins is to limit consumption of constipation-causing vitamins and minerals. For instance, if you’re choosing between two multivitamins with different iron levels, it may be best to go with the supplement that contains the least amount of iron—especially if you can make up the difference through your diet.

Taking individual vitamins and minerals is another way to limit constipation.

For example, if you only need to take a vitamin D3 supplement, why throw in a bounty of bowel-breaking vitamins and minerals? Only take the vitamins and minerals you need to keep you happy and healthy.

Vitamin health with Everlywell

A leader in digital healthcare, we have the tools you need to determine whether you’re lacking in essential vitamins like vitamin D as well as a suite of vitamins and supplements. Whether you need a Vitamin D Test or a daily multivitamin, we have your health covered.

Related content

Vitamins and Supplements 101: An expert breaks down the vitamins you actually need — and how to make them most effective

Multivitamin benefits: key points to know

What to look for in a multivitamin

References

everlywell.com - Can Multivitamins Cause Constipation? - Everlywell
What medications does cinnamon interact with?
What medications does cinnamon interact with?

Interactions with other medications Cinnamon can lower blood sugar and increase the effects of medication for diabetes, lowering blood sugar too...

Read More »
Last updated Oct 9, 2020
How much calories burn in kissing?
How much calories burn in kissing?

On average, you can expect to burn 2 to 3 calories per minute with simple kissing and 5 to 26 calories per minute engaging in passionate kissing,...

Read More »
Last updated Nov 22, 2022
Purple mojito “devours” 57lbs of flab?
Purple mojito “devours” 57lbs of flab?

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »
Promotion
What emotions get stored in the liver?
What emotions get stored in the liver?

ANGER/FRUSTRATION + DEPRESSION (MANIC) Anger is the emotion of the liver and the gallbladder, organs associated with the wood element. Emotions...

Read More »
Last updated Mar 26, 2020
Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days
Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »
Promotion
What should I put in my green tea to lose weight?
What should I put in my green tea to lose weight?

Green Tea with Lemon and Ginger Like green tea, lemon and ginger can also promote fat loss, and adding them to your daily cup can enhance the...

Read More »
Last updated May 25, 2022