Ask Women’s Health

THE BIG QUESTION

I think vitamins are blocking me up. Is this a thing?

Answer If you like big supps and you cannot lie, you might be feeling a bit baby got back(ed up). So what gives? “There are certain minerals that can raise your chances of abdominal upset, including bloating, cramps and constipation,” explains dietitian Alana MacDonald. The main culprits? Calcium and iron supplements. “Iron is quite harsh on your digestive system, so this can cause constipation,” adds MacDonald. “And calcium can cause the muscles on the wall of your colon to