Vitamin and Mineral Interactions

Vitamin Synergistic Nutrients Antagonistic Nutrients

Vitamin E Vitamin E
Vitamin A  Vitamin E enhances vitamin  High levels of beta carotene
A intestinal absorption at medium to might decrease serum levels
high concentrations, up to 40 percent. of vitamin E.
 Vitamin A and E together lead to
increased antioxidant capabilities, Vitamin K
protect against some forms of cancer,  Vitamin A toxicity inhibits the
and support a healthier gut. synthesis of vitamin K2 by
 They work synergistically to prevent or intestinal bacteria and interferes
support obesity, metabolic syndrome, with hepatic actions of vitamin K.
inflammation, immune response, brain  Vitamin A interferes with
health, hearing loss. absorption of vitamin K.
Iron
 Iron is required for converting beta-
carotene into retinol.
 Vitamin A increases iron absorption,
especially non-heme iron.
 Iron increases the bioavailability of pro-
vitamin A carotenoids, including alpha-
carotene, beta-carotene, and beta-
cryptoxanthin.
 Supplementing with vitamin A might
help reverse iron deficiency anemia in
children, and vitamin A deficiency
might contribute to anemia.
Iodine
 Retinoic acid is involved in iodine
uptake.
 Severe vitamin A deficiency decreases
the uptake of iodine and impacts
thyroid metabolism.
 Iodine deficiency and vitamin A
deficiency leads to a more severe case
of primary hypothyroidism compared
to iodine deficiency alone.
Zinc
 Zinc is required for vitamin A transport.
 Supplementing with vitamin A and zinc
in children led to a reduced risk of
infection and increased linear growth.
 Zinc along with vitamin A helps
maintain eye health.
 Vitamin and Mineral Interactions
Vitamin Synergistic Nutrients
Magnesium
Vitamin B1  Magnesium is required to
convert thiamin to its biologically
(Thiamin) active form and is also required for
certain thiamin-dependent
enzymes.
 Overcoming thiamin deficiency
might not occur if magnesium
deficiency is not co-treated.
Zinc
Vitamin B2  Supplementing with nicotinic acid
(Riboflavin) might provide a dose-dependent
improvement in hepatic zinc levels
and better antioxidant markers,
including less lipid peroxidation,
reduced glutathione levels.
Vitamin B5
(Pantothenic
Acid)
Magnesium
Vitamin B6  Magnesium enhances the uptake of
(Pyridoxine) 
vitamin B6 and vice versa.
Co-supplementing with vitamin B6
and magnesium helps PMS
symptoms and possibly autism.
Antagonistic Nutrients
Vitamin B6
 Vitamin B6 can inhibit the
biosynthesis of thiamin.
Calcium
 Calcium might form a chelate
with riboflavin, decreasing
riboflavin absorption.
Copper
 Copper deficiency increases
vitamin B5 requirements.
Vitamin B1
 Vitamin B6 can inhibit the
biosynthesis of thiamin
Vitamin B9
 Vitamin B6 increases
folate requirements and
possibly vice versa.
 Along with vitamin B12,
co-supplementation with
vitamins B9 and B6
improves homocysteine
levels, of which high levels
have been linked to
cardiovascular disease,
thrombin generation, and
neurodegeneration.
 Vitamin and Mineral Interactions
Zinc
 High levels of vitamin B6
might increase the need for
zinc.
 Chronic and acute vitamin B6
deficiency increases intestinal
uptake of zinc but serum zinc
levels decrease,
demonstrating an impairment
in zinc utilization.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B9  Vitamin B6 increases

(Folate) folate requirements and

possibly vice versa.

Vitamin B12
 Supplementing with B9
increases the need for
B12 and vice versa
because both play key
roles in the methylation
cycle.
 Deficiency or insufficiency
can increase
homocysteine levels,
which are connected to a
higher risk of dementia,
Alzheimer’s disease, and
cardiovascular disease.
 Deficiency can also cause
megaloblastic anemia.

Zinc
 Supplementation with folic
acid, especially in a state
of zinc deficiency, might
reduce absorption of zinc
through forming a chelate,
but there are mixed
results.
Vitamin C
Vitamin B12  In aqueous solution,

(Cobalamin) vitamin C might degrade

B12 especially when B1
and copper are also
present.
 Vitamin and Mineral Interactions
Vitamin E
Vitamin C  Vitamins C and E work
(Ascorbic synergistically for antioxidant
defense, with vitamin C
Acid) 
regenerating vitamin E.
Works in synergy, so large
supplementation of one needs
large supplement of other.
Copper
 Post-absorptive, vitamin C can
stimulate uptake and
metabolism of copper.
 Vitamin C deficiency could lead
to symptoms of copper
deficiency.
Iron
 Increases absorption of non-
heme iron, even in the presence
of inhibitory substances; vitamin
C also regulates uptake and
metabolism of iron.
Selenium
 A diet high in vitamin C led to
increased percent of absorption
of sodium selenite and retention
of the absorbed selenium.
Vitamin B9
 Supplementing with B9
increases the need for
B12 and vice versa
because both play key
roles in the methylation
cycle.
 Deficiency or insufficiency
can increase
homocysteine levels,
which are connected to a
higher risk of dementia,
Alzheimer’s disease, and
cardiovascular disease.
 Deficiency can also cause
megaloblastic anemia.
Vitamin B12
 In aqueous solution,
vitamin C might degrade
B12, especially with B1
and copper also present.
Copper
 High levels of vitamin C
inhibits absorption of
copper, possibly through
increasing iron absorption,
which is a copper
antagonist.
Iron
 Excess vitamin C could
increase iron overload
risk.
Selenium
 Converts sodium selenite
to elemental selenium
which inhibits absorption
but only when
supplements are taken on
an empty stomach.
 Vitamin and Mineral Interactions
Vitamin K
Vitamin D  Optimal levels of vitamin K
prevents some of the problems
of excess vitamin D and leads to
better outcomes.
 Sufficient levels of vitamins D
and K lead to reduced risk of hip 
fractures and an increase in
BMD and other markers of bone
health.
 Sufficient vitamin K and D also
improves insulin levels and
blood pressure while reducing
the risk of arthrosclerosis.
Vitamin A
 High levels of vitamin A
decrease vitamin D uptake by
30 percent.
Vitamin E
Medium and high levels of
vitamin E significantly reduce
vitamin D uptake by 15
percent and 17 percent
respectively.

Calcium
 Vitamin D increases calcium
absorption.
 Along with vitamin K,
supplementing with calcium and
vitamin D leads to improved
bone, heart, and metabolic
health.
 Calcium and vitamin D also
work synergistically for skeletal
muscle function.
 Co-supplementation of vitamin
D and calcium led to an
improved response to children
with rickets

Selenium
 Supplementing with vitamin D
improves serum levels of
selenium.

Magnesium
 Supplementing with vitamin D
improves serum levels of
magnesium especially in obese
individuals.
 Vitamin and Mineral Interactions
 Magnesium is a cofactor for the
biosynthesis, transport, and
activation of vitamin D.
 Supplementing with magnesium
improves vitamin D levels.
 Deficiency in both vitamin D and
magnesium increase risk for
cardiovascular disease,
diabetes, metabolic disease,
and skeletal disorders.
Vitamin A
Vitamin E  Vitamin E enhances vitamin A
intestinal absorption at medium to
high concentrations, up to 40
percent.
 Vitamin A and E together lead to
increased antioxidant capabilities,
protect against some forms of
cancer, and support a healthier gut.
 They work synergistically to prevent
or support obesity, metabolic
syndrome, inflammation, immune
response, brain health, hearing
loss.
Vitamin C
 Vitamins C and E work
synergistically as antioxidant
defense, with vitamin C
regenerating vitamin E.
 Because they work
synergistically, large
supplementation of one needs
large supplementation of other.
Zinc
 Some effects of zinc deficiency
were helped by vitamin E
supplementation
Selenium
 Selenium deficiency aggravates
effects of deficiency of vitamin E
and vitamin E can prevent
selenium toxicity.
Vitamin A
 Vitamin A reduces vitamin E
intestinal uptake in a dose-
dependent manner.
 High levels of beta carotene
might decrease serum levels
of vitamin E.
Vitamin D
 Vitamin D reduces vitamin E
intestinal uptake in a dose-
dependent manner.
Vitamin K
 Metabolites can inhibit vitamin
K activity, so care is needed
when supplementing with
high doses.
 Also, large doses of vitamin K
inhibit intestinal absorption of
vitamin E.
Iron
 Iron interferes with absorption
of vitamin E.
 Vitamin E deficiency
exacerbates iron excess but
supplemental vitamin E
prevented it.
 It is best to take the
supplements at separate
times.
 Vitamin and Mineral Interactions
 Together they induce apoptosis.
 Combined selenium and vitamin
E deficiency has a great impact
that the deficiency of one of the
nutrients.
 Synergy of vitamin E and
selenium might help with cancer
prevention through stimulating
apoptosis in abnormal cells;
selenium and vitamin E work
synergistically to help mitigate
iron excess.
Vitamin D Vitamin A
Vitamin K  Optimal levels of vitamin K prevents  Vitamin A toxicity inhibits
some of the problems of excess synthesis of vitamin K2 by
vitamin D and leads to better intestinal bacteria and
outcomes. interferes with hepatic actions
 Sufficient levels of vitamins D and K of vitamin K.
lead to reduced risk of hip fractures  Vitamin A inhibits intestinal
and an increase in BMD and other absorption of vitamin K.
markers of bone health. Vitamin D
 It also improves insulin levels, blood  Inhibits intestinal absorption
pressure, and reduces the risk of of vitamin K.
arthrosclerosis. Vitamin E
Calcium  Metabolites can inhibit vitamin
 Along with vitamin D, vitamin K and K activity, so care is needed
calcium help to improve bone and when taking large doses.
heart health.  Vitamin E can also inhibit the
intestinal absorption of
vitamin K.

Mineral Synergistic Nutrients Antagonistic Nutrients

Vitamin E Vitamin E
Vitamin A  Vitamin E enhances vitamin  High levels of beta carotene
A intestinal absorption at medium to might decrease serum levels
high concentrations, up to 40 percent. of vitamin E.
 Vitamin and Mineral Interactions
 Vitamin A and E together lead to
increased antioxidant capabilities, Vitamin K
protect against some forms of cancer,  Vitamin A toxicity inhibits the
and support a healthier gut. synthesis of vitamin K2 by
 They work synergistically to prevent or intestinal bacteria and interferes
support obesity, metabolic syndrome, with hepatic actions of vitamin K.
inflammation, immune response, brain  Vitamin A interferes with
health, hearing loss. absorption of vitamin K.
Iron
 Iron is required for converting beta-
carotene into retinol.
 Vitamin A increases iron absorption,
especially non-heme iron.
 Iron increases the bioavailability of pro-
vitamin A carotenoids, including alpha-
carotene, beta-carotene, and beta-
cryptoxanthin.
 Supplementing with vitamin A might
help reverse iron deficiency anemia in
children, and vitamin A deficiency
might contribute to anemia.
Iodine
 Retinoic acid is involved in iodine
uptake.
 Severe vitamin A deficiency decreases
the uptake of iodine and impacts
thyroid metabolism.
 Iodine deficiency and vitamin A
deficiency leads to a more severe case
of primary hypothyroidism compared
to iodine deficiency alone.
Zinc
 Zinc is required for vitamin A transport.
 Supplementing with vitamin A and zinc
in children led to a reduced risk of
infection and increased linear growth.
 Zinc along with vitamin A helps
maintain eye health.

Minerals Synergistic Nutrients Antagonistic Nutrients

 Vitamin and Mineral Interactions
Vitamin D
Calcium  Vitamin D increases calcium
absorption.
 Along with vitamin K,
supplementing with calcium and
vitamin D leads to improved bone,
heart, and metabolic health.
 Calcium and vitamin D also work
synergistically for skeletal muscle
function.
 Co-supplementation of vitamin D
and calcium led to an improved
response to children with rickets.
Potassium
 Potassium enhances calcium
reabsorption.
 Potassium excretion is positively
related to bone mineral density.
Iron
 High levels of calcium
decrease absorption of non-
heme iron in the short term
but might not have a long-
term impact on iron levels;
this can be mitigated by
vitamin C.
 Supplementing with calcium
and iron greatly reduced
serum levels of zinc.
Magnesium
 High levels of calcium
decreased tissue levels of
magnesium and exacerbates
deficiency and decreases
magnesium absorption.
 Magnesium supplementation
can decrease calcium
absorption, especially in
those with renal stone
disease.
Manganese
 Manganese and calcium
compete for absorption and
display similar properties.
Phosphorus
 High levels of calcium
supplements decrease
phosphorus absorption.
 The ideal ratio of phosphorus
to calcium is 1:1. Higher
levels of phosphorus to
calcium ratio was shown to
hurt bone health in pigs and
humans.
Sodium
 Excess sodium enhances
calcium excretion.
 High sodium increases
bone turnover and
reduces BMD.
Zinc
 High levels of calcium
 Vitamin and Mineral Interactions
 High levels of zinc might
 Zinc deficiency reduces
 Supplementing with calcium
Vitamin B1
Magnesium  Magnesium is required to convert
thiamin to its biologically active form
and is also required for certain
thiamin-dependent enzymes.
 Overcoming thiamin deficiency
might not occur if magnesium
deficiency is not co-treated.
Vitamin B6
 Magnesium enhances the uptake of
vitamin B6 and vice versa.
 Co-supplementing with vitamin B6
and magnesium helps PMS
symptoms and possibly autism.
Vitamin D
 Supplementing with vitamin D
improves serum levels of
magnesium especially in obese
individuals.
 Magnesium is a cofactor for the
biosynthesis, transport, and
activation of vitamin D.
 Supplementing with magnesium
improves vitamin D levels.
 Deficiency in both vitamin D and
magnesium increase risk for
cardiovascular disease, diabetes,
metabolic disease, and skeletal
disorders.
Potassium
supplements decrease zinc
absorption and zinc balance.
impact calcium absorption.
serum calcium levels and
calcium entry into cells, and it
increases PTH levels.
and iron greatly reduced
serum levels of zinc.
Calcium
 High levels of calcium
decreased tissue levels of
magnesium and exacerbates
deficiency and decreases
magnesium absorption.
 Magnesium supplementation
can decrease calcium
absorption, especially in
those with renal stone
disease.
Zinc
 Supplements of high levels
(142 mg/day) of zinc might
reduce magnesium
absorption.
Phosphorus
 Along with calcium,
phosphorus can reduce
the absorption of
magnesium in the
intestines.
 Vitamin and Mineral Interactions
 Magnesium is required for
potassium uptake in cells.
 Combination of magnesium,
calcium, and potassium reduces the
risk of stroke.
Calcium
Phosphorus  High levels of calcium
supplements decrease
phosphorus absorption.
 The ideal ratio of phosphorus
to calcium is 1:1; higher levels
of the phosphorus to calcium
ratio was shown to hurt bone
health in pigs and humans.
Magnesium
 Along with calcium,
phosphorus can reduce the
absorption of magnesium in
the intestines.
Calcium
Potassium  Potassium enhances calcium
reabsorption.
 Potassium excretion is positively
related to bone mineral density.
Magnesium
 Magnesium is required for
potassium uptake in cells.
 Combination of magnesium,
calcium, and potassium reduces
the risk of stroke.
Sodium
 Potassium/Sodium balance
required for optimal health,
especially for reduced blood
pressure and heart health.
 The right potassium to sodium
balance increases bone health
through decreasing excess
excretion of calcium due to high
levels of sodium.
 It also decreases obesity load
and improves net dietary acid
load.
Potassium Calcium
Sodium  Potassium/Sodium balance  Excess sodium enhances
required for optimal health, calcium excretion.
 Vitamin and Mineral Interactions
especially for reduced blood
pressure and heart health.
 The right potassium to sodium
balance increases bone health
through decreasing excess
excretion of calcium due to high
levels of sodium.
 It also decreases obesity load and
improves net dietary acid load.
Vitamin C
Copper  Post-absorptive, vitamin C can
stimulate uptake and metabolism of
copper.
 Vitamin C deficiency could lead to
symptoms of copper deficiency.
 High sodium increases bone
turnover and reduces bone
mineral density.
Vitamin C
 High levels of vitamin C
inhibits absorption of copper,
possibly through increasing
iron absorption, which is a
copper antagonist.
Iron
 Copper and iron compete for
absorption, so high levels of
one might lead to deficiency
of the other.
Molybdenum
 Molybdenum interacts with
protein-bound copper in and
outside the cells and can
even remove copper from the
tissues, so excess
molybdenum contributes to
copper deficiency.
 Molybdenum can also be
used to treat problems
associated with excess levels
of copper, such as Wilson’s
disease.
 The antagonistic relationship
between copper and
molybdenum might contribute
to diabetic complications.
Selenium
 When consuming low to
normal levels of selenium,
high intakes of copper
reduces absorption, although
this might not occur when
consuming high levels of
selenium.
 An imbalance of selenium
 Vitamin and Mineral Interactions
and copper ratio could
contribute to oxidative stress.
Zinc
 Zinc inhibits copper
absorption and can lead to a
deficiency.
 A high copper to zinc ratio
increases oxidative stress, all-
cause mortality, inflammation,
immune dysfunction, sleep
disturbances, AD, heart
failure, physical disability,
diabetes, and autism.
Vitamin A
Iodine  Retinoic acid is involved in iodine
uptake.
 Severe vitamin A deficiency
decreases the uptake of iodine and
impacts thyroid metabolism.
 Iodine deficiency and vitamin A
deficiency leads to a more severe
case of primary hypothyroidism
compared to iodine deficiency
alone.
Selenium
 Adequate levels of both iodine and
selenium are necessary for the
metabolism of thyroid hormone.
Selenium is required for the
enzyme that deiodinizes T4 to
convert it to the active form, T3.
 Concurrent iodine and selenium
deficiencies might create a
balancing effect to maintain and
normalize T4 levels while T4 levels
were lowered when there was a
deficiency of iodine or selenium.
Vitamin A Vitamin E
Iron  Iron is required for converting beta  Iron interferes with absorption
carotene into retinol. of vitamin E.
 Vitamin A increases iron  Vitamin E deficiency
absorption, especially non-heme exacerbates iron excess but
iron. supplemental vitamin E
 Iron increases the bioavailability of prevented it.
pro-vitamin A carotenoids, including  It is best to take the
 Vitamin and Mineral Interactions
alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, and
beta-cryptoxanthin.
 Supplementing with vitamin A might
help reverse iron deficiency anemia 
in children but vitamin A deficiency
might contribute to anemia.
Vitamin C
 Vitamin C increases absorption of
non-heme iron, even in the
presence of inhibitory substances;
vitamin C also regulates uptake and 
metabolism of iron.
Manganese
supplements at separate
times.
Calcium
High levels of calcium
decrease absorption of non-
heme iron in the short term
but might not have a long-
term impact on iron levels;
this can be mitigated by
vitamin C.
Supplementing with calcium
and iron greatly reduced
serum levels of zinc.
Copper
 Copper and iron compete for
absorption, so high levels of
one might lead to deficiency
of the other.
Manganese
 High levels of manganese
inhibits iron absorption and
uptake in a dose-dependent
manner and vice versa due to
shared pathways of
absorption and similar
physiochemical properties.
Zinc
 Non-heme iron and zinc
compete for absorption.
 Supplementing with calcium
and iron greatly reduced
serum levels of zinc.
Iron
 High levels of manganese
inhibits iron absorption and
uptake in a dose-dependent
manner and vice versa due to
shared pathways of
absorption and similar
physiochemical properties.
Calcium
 Manganese and calcium
compete for absorption and
 Vitamin and Mineral Interactions
Molybdenu
m protein-bound copper in and
Vitamin C
Selenium  A diet high in vitamin C led to
increased percent of absorption of
sodium selenite and retention of the
absorbed selenium.
Vitamin D
 Supplementing with vitamin D
improves serum levels of selenium.
Vitamin E
 Selenium deficiency aggravates
effects of deficiency of vitamin E
and vitamin E can prevent selenium
toxicity.
 Together they induce apoptosis.
 Combined selenium and vitamin E
deficiency has a great impact that
the deficiency of one of the
nutrients.
 Synergy of vitamin E and selenium
might help with cancer prevention
through stimulating apoptosis in
abnormal cells; selenium and
vitamin E work synergistically to
help mitigate iron excess.
Iodine
 Adequate levels of both iodine and
selenium are necessary for the
display similar properties.
Copper
 Molybdenum interacts with
outside the cells and can
even remove copper from the
tissues, so excess
molybdenum contributes to
copper deficiency.
 Molybdenum can also be
used to treat problems
associated with excess levels
of copper, such as Wilson’s
disease.
 The antagonistic relationship
between copper and
molybdenum might contribute
to diabetic complications.
Vitamin C
 Vitamin C converts sodium
selenite to elemental
selenium which inhibits
absorption but only when
supplements are taken on an
empty stomach.
Copper
 When consuming low to
normal levels of selenium,
high intakes of copper
reduces absorption, although
this might not occur when
consuming high levels of
selenium.
 An imbalance of selenium
and copper ratio could
contribute to oxidative stress.
 Vitamin and Mineral Interactions
metabolism of thyroid hormone.
Selenium is required for the
enzyme that deiodinizes T3 to
convert it to the active form, T4.
 Concurrent iodine and selenium
deficiencies might create a
balancing effect to maintain and
normalize T4 levels while T4 levels
were lowered when there was a
deficiency of iodine or selenium.
Vitamin A
Zinc  Zinc is required for vitamin A
transport.
 In one study, supplementing with
vitamin A and zinc in children led to
a reduced risk of infection and
increased linear growth.
 Zinc along with vitamin A helps
maintain eye health.
Vitamin B3
 Supplementing with nicotinic acid
might provide a dose-dependent
improvement in hepatic zinc levels
and better antioxidant markers,
including less lipid peroxidation,
reduced glutathione levels.
Vitamin B6
 High levels of B6 might
increase the need for zinc.
 Chronic and acute B6
deficiency increases intestinal
uptake of zinc but serum zinc
levels decrease,
demonstrating an impairment
in zinc utilization.
Vitamin B9
 Supplementation with folic
acid, especially in a state of
zinc deficiency, might reduce
absorption of zinc through
forming a chelate, but there
are mixed results.
Calcium
 High levels of calcium
supplements decrease zinc
absorption and zinc balance.
 High levels of zinc might
impact calcium absorption.
 Zinc deficiency reduces
serum calcium levels and
calcium entry into cells, and it
increases parathyroid
hormone levels.
 Supplementing with calcium
and iron greatly reduced
serum levels of zinc.
Copper
 Copper inhibits zinc
absorption and can lead to a
Vitamin and Mineral Interactions
deficiency.
 A high copper to zinc ratio
increases risk of oxidative
stress, all-cause mortality,
inflammation, immune
dysfunction, sleep
disturbances, AD, heart
failure, physical disability,
diabetes, and autism.
Iron
 Non-heme iron and zinc
compete for absorption.
 Supplementing with calcium
and iron greatly reduced
serum levels of zinc.
 Magnesium
 Supplements of high levels
(i.e. 142 mg/day) of zinc
might reduce magnesium
absorption.