Skip to Content Skip to Navigation Accessibility Policy Click to login to your Account
Get free shipping on all subscription orders + save 20% Shop Now
Bulletproof Bulletproof is a food and beverage company, known for Bulletproof Coffee and products that fuel your mind and body.
Menu
Shop
Shop
Coffee
Ground Whole Bean Single-Serve Pods The High Achiever™ Starter Kits Creamers & Mix-Ins Build Your Coffee Routine View all
MCT Oil
Brain Octane Oil MCT Oil View all
Proteins
Collagen Protein Protein Bars Collagen Protein Plus Support View all
Supplements
Greens Gummy Vitamins Daily Wellness Immune Support Stress & Sleep Gut & Digestive Health Energy & Brain Health Bone & Joint Support Build Your Wellness Routine View all
Other
Tech Coffee Mugs & Bottles Books View all
Shop All Products
Looking for a personalized product line up?
Take the Quiz
Health Upgrades
Health Upgrades
Guides
Immune Boost Sleep Hacks Brain Upgrades Weight Loss & Diet Anti-Aging View all
Supplements
Greens Gummy Vitamins Daily Wellness Immune Support Stress & Sleep Gut & Digestive Health Energy & Brain Health Bone & Joint Support Build Your Wellness Routine View all
Bulletproof Product Quiz
Product Quiz
Customize your routine

Personalize your product lineup in minutes. Plus, score 20% off!

Take Quiz
Looking for a personalized product line up?
Take the Quiz
Recipes
Recipes
Recipes
Snacks Breakfasts Main Dishes Beverages Desserts Keto Paleo View all
Shop All Products
Bulletproof Coffee Recipe
FEATURED RECIPE
BULLETPROOF COFFEE: THE OFFICIAL RECIPE
VIEW RECIPE
Beginner keto cookbook
Free eCookbook
21 Easy Recipes to Fuel Your Keto Journey
Download Now
Looking for a personalized product line up?
Take the Quiz
Learn
Learn
Where to Start
Take the Product Quiz About Bulletproof Bulletproof for Beginners Bulletproof Coffee: The Official Recipe What makes Bulletproof Coffee Beans Different? What are MCT Oils? What is Collagen Protein? Starter Kits Newsletters & Guides
Keto Kickstart
Keto Beginners Guide Calculating Carbs Alcohol Guide Keto Foods List Dirty vs. Clean Keto Weight Loss Troubleshooting Keto Recipes
Bulletproof Blog
Diet Recipes Coffee Supplements Sleep Gut Health Lifestyle View all
Books
Game Changers The Bulletproof Diet Bulletproof The Cookbook View all
Shop All Products
Looking for a personalized product line up?
Take the Quiz
Subscribe & Save 20%
Deals
Deals Take the Product Quiz Subscribe & Save 20% expand/collapse Store Locator Account Cart
Deals Take the Product Quiz Subscribe & Save 20% expand/collapse Account Cart
Search

Share

product
https://www.bulletproof.com/supplements/dietary-supplements/supplements-while-fasting/ article-27099 Can You Take Supplements While Fasting? What You Need to Know https://www.bulletproof.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Supplements-affect-fast_header-300x160.jpg 1 USD InStock Dietary Supplements Intermittent Fasting Supplements NUT06-00010 NUT06-00012 NUT08-00003 NUT08-00011 NUT08-00012 NUT08-00014 NUT08-00015 NUT08-00016 NUT08-00020 NUT08-00023 NUT08-00025 NUT08-00026 NUT08-00027 NUT08-00029 NUT08-00030 NUT08-00031 NUT08-00032 NUT08-00033 article
Home / Supplements / Dietary Supplements
|October 28, 2020

Can You Take Supplements While Fasting? What You Need to Know

By Bulletproof Staff
Reviewed by Emily Gonzalez, ND for Scientific Accuracy

Can You Take Supplements While Fasting? What You Need to Know

  • If you’re intermittent fasting, you already know that giving your body a break from eating can have big benefits for your health. But what about fasting supplements?
  • Fasting can affect the way your body absorbs certain vitamins and medications, so you’ll want to take them with food.
  • Some supplements can be taken on an empty stomach, while others will actually break your fast. Get the details on intermittent fasting supplements below.

Intermittent fasting improves your focus, torches body fat and gives aging a run for its money. Fasting means abstaining from food for an extended period of time—but what about supplements? It might seem counterintuitive, but some fasting supplements can actually help your body burn fat for fuel.

So, can you take supplements while fasting? It depends. Here’s the bottom line on what dietary supplements to take, what to skip and the science behind how it all works.

Table of Contents

  • What supplements to take during a fast
  • What supplements to take with food
  • The science behind fasting supplements

What supplements to take during a fast

Pouring vitamins into palm

These intermittent fasting supplements are meant to be taken on an empty stomach, or they’re unlikely to break a fast. Pay attention to how you feel. Some people can’t stomach any supplements without food. If that’s you, try taking them 20-30 minutes before you have a meal instead.

  • Creatine: Whether you take it pre-workout or post-workout, creatine isn’t likely to break your fast because it contains zero calories and doesn’t affect your insulin levels.
  • Electrolytes: Think potassium, sodium and calcium. As long as your electrolyte supplement doesn’t contain any sweeteners or calories, it’s fine to take it during a fast—and can even help you manage the side effects of switching to ketosis. Find out why electrolytes are great keto fasting supplements with our keto supplements guide.
  • L-tyrosine: No worries here—this is meant to be taken on an empty stomach. L-tyrosine can help you manage stress and support your mood. It’s an amino acid, but it’s unlikely to break a fast when taken in lower doses.
  • Probiotics: These are beneficial gut bacteria, and good gut health benefits your entire body. Some probiotic supplements are meant to be taken without food, when stomach acid levels are lower. Check the label on your probiotic supplement for the manufacturer’s recommendations.
  • Prebiotics: Probiotics need to eat, and PREbiotics feed your good gut bacteria to support a healthy gut microbiome. Bulletproof InnerFuel Prebiotic contains 0 grams of sugar and 0 grams of net carbs, and it mixes easily in hot or cold liquids. Try it with black coffee in the morning.
  • Water-soluble vitamins: You can take vitamins B and C with water during a fasting period. Vitamin C is usually pretty easy on an empty stomach, but B-complex vitamins can make people feel nauseous when they’re consumed without food. If that happens to you, just take these vitamins when you break your fast.

What supplements to take with food

Clock next to plate of food

Some of these supplements are best absorbed with food in your stomach. Others will break your fast, so save them for your eating window.

  • Amino acids: L-glutamine and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are usually a no-go while fasting because they can kick you out of ketosis by raising your insulin levels.[1]
  • Curcumin and omega-3 fatty acids: Supplements like Bulletproof Curcumin Max and Bulletproof Omega Krill Complex are easier for your body to absorb when they’re taken with food. So, have them during your eating window.
  • Chromium and vanadium: These minerals can actually drop your blood sugar levels too low while you’re fasting. If your insulin levels dip, you run the risk of hypoglycemia—aka low blood sugar and tanked energy levels. Even a small bout of hypoglycemia can lead to problems adjusting and managing your moods. Take these supplements when you break your fast.
  • Fat-soluble vitamins: This category includes vitamin D, vitamin E and multivitamins that contain fat-soluble ingredients. These vitamins don’t dissolve with water, so take them with a meal. If you’re not sure, check the directions on the label. Bulletproof Vitamins A-D-K says to take one softgel daily with food.
  • Gummy vitamins: These vitamins are usually sweetened and made with gelatin, which contains protein—all of which means they’ll likely break a fast.
  • Iodine: For maximum absorption, take your kelp powder or potassium iodide capsules with food.
  • Magnesium: Some people can experience an upset stomach when they take a magnesium supplement on an empty stomach.
  • Protein powder: Whether we’re talking about whey or collagen protein, any protein powder breaks a fast because it contains calories and triggers an insulin response. So, save your protein powder for your eating window.
  • Zinc and copper: These two minerals work better together, so you’ll often see them combined in a pill form. Take Bulletproof Zinc with Copper with food.

More Supplements From Bulletproof

  • What Is Serrapeptase? What to Know Before Trying It
  • What is CoQ10? And how does it support energy?
  • Apple Cider Vinegar: Is the Trend Here to Stay? 
  • Can I Take Too Much Collagen in One Day?

The science behind fasting supplements

Mug of black coffee

In order to get the biggest health benefits of intermittent fasting, you want to avoid consuming anything that breaks your fast. That includes any calorie-containing foods or beverages, as well as supplements that trigger digestion or spike your insulin levels.

Here’s why:

  1. When you go extended periods without eating, you promote autophagy, the process through which your cells get rid of built-up waste.
  2. Fasting helps your body enter ketosis, a metabolic state where you burn fat for fuel. Your body needs energy to function. When you skip meals, it burns through your stored glucose (from carbohydrates) and then starts burning fat for energy.
  3. Fasting may also cause your body to secrete a protein called fasting-induced adipose factor (FIAF), which signals that it’s time to burn fat.[2] [3]

All that to say, you want to be mindful when supplementing because some of them will break your fast and kick you out of ketosis. Others won’t necessarily break your fast—but they aren’t meant to be taken on an empty stomach.

Why is that a big deal? If your supplement is meant to be taken with food, but you take it without, it’ll pass through your body without being completely absorbed. Others will just make you nauseous if taken on an empty stomach. No, thanks.

Heads up: If you take prescription medications, talk to your healthcare provider before you switch up your supplementation routine. Some medications have to be taken within specific timeframes. For others, taking them on an empty stomach can interfere with their effects.

What about drinks like coffee, tea and bone broth?

Black coffee and unsweetened tea both technically have calories, but the amount is minimal (less than five calories) and unlikely to break your fast. If you’re a fasting purist, stick to water. If you want caffeine, coffee and tea are totally fine.

Bone broth is a popular keto fasting supplement because it’s a satisfying way to replenish nutrients and minerals during a fast. It has minimal calories and protein, and no carbohydrates, so a small amount won’t dramatically impact the ketogenic or fat-burning benefits of fasting. But if you want to maximize autophagy, just save the bone broth for your eating window.

The bottom line: Yes, you can use some supplements while you’re in a fasted state. If your vitamins and medication upset your stomach or need to be taken with food, take them during your eating window. Experiment to find what works for you and helps you thrive.

Read next: How to Do Intermittent Fasting for Weight Management

Join over 1 million fans

Sign-up for the Bulletproof mailing list and receive the latest news and updates!

Statements made on this website have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Products sold on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Information provided by this website or this company is not a substitute for direct, individual medical treatment or advice. It is the responsibility of you and your healthcare providers to make all decisions regarding your health. Bulletproof recommends that you consult with your healthcare providers regarding the diagnosis and treatment of any disease or condition.

About Bulletproof Staff

The Bulletproof Staff category includes more than two dozen writers with a wide range of expertise, including nutrition, fitness, recipe development and more. Articles from The Bulletproof Staff contain insight from multiple writers. Content in this category has been peer reviewed and updated when required to adhere to our editorial guidelines. Explore more content by category here.

References

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4963881/
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16272564
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21539208

TAGS

Intermittent FastingSupplements

Related Bulletproof Supplements

serrapeptase benefits dosage
What Is Serrapeptase? What to Know Before Trying It
CoQ10 Energy Supplement - Bulletproof
What is CoQ10? And how does it support energy?
Bulletproof - Apple Cider Vinegar Max Gummies
Apple Cider Vinegar: Is the Trend Here to Stay? 
Bulletproof Chocolate Collagen Protein
Can I Take Too Much Collagen in One Day?
Sign up today & save 15%
SHOP
  • Coffee
  • MCT Oils
  • Proteins
  • Supplements
  • Other
  • All Products
Learn
  • Bulletproof for Beginners
  • Recipes
  • Newsletters & Guides
  • Bulletproof Blog
  • Books
CUSTOMER CARE
  • Contact Us
  • Shipping Policy
  • Return Policy
  • Accessibility Policy
COMPANY
  • About Us
  • Press
  • Careers
  • Customer Reviews
  • Rewards
  • Give $15, Get $15
PARTNERS
  • Store Locator
  • Wholesale
  • Ambassador Program
  • Affiliate Program
Discover What Better Feels Like
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

†Statements made on this website have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Information provided by this website or this company is not a substitute for individual medical advice. | ©Bulletproof 360, Inc. 2013–2023

  • Privacy Policy|
  • Terms|
  • Reseller Policy|