I have this observation about my taking of a time-released B-complex preparation:

In spite of its being time-released, if I take it in the morning, I would see my urine really dark yellow in a couple of hours, indicating that I'm already excreting the vitamin.

However, if I take it at night before sleep, I never see my urine becoming as dark, even throughout the following day. In fact, it remains the "regular" color (clear with a very light tinge of yellow) even in my bathroom trips during the night. (I drink lots of water and have bathroom trips even at night.)

So, am I just throwing away my supplement if I take them in the day? Is my body able to store/use more of it during the night?

Or why would a time released preparation be going out of me in a couple of hours during the day, but not if I take it before sleep? Is my digestion/absorption of it the factor?



Gerry

Gerry, I can't find much that is helpful in answering your query, except this bit, from a Q & A site about pregnancy (sorry!)


"As for the hCG levels, I'm unsure as to whether or not low levels are hereditary, but if you would like, you can try testing first morning urine, when the dilution by fluids should be at its lowest point in the day. The presence of hCG is supposed to double (approximately) every two days, and this might also help you if your levels are low."

I just wonder if this is simply a diurnal variation in concentration/dilution of urine?

Huh! No, that doesn't fit the pattern you have given. I wonder if the time release technology of the supplement-maker is able to give very precise control over how much is absorbed, at various intervals. That would be my next point of enquiry - the method of coating of the supplement.
It seems that you could be absorbing, and therefore excreting, a large proportion in the first 2 hours, then less after that.

I don't know much about the details but it was my understanding that organs sort of have their circadian rhythm being active more at one time of day than another.

Also that most healing and growth in general goes on at night when asleep. This may account for some of your observations, Gerry.

With serrapeptase it is recommended, if you are only taking one dose a day that it is taken at bedtime for a longer duration of action and stronger effect.

So Arrowwind, logically, if your body is needing the vitamins to heal something specific in the body, it would seem the best time to take the vitamins would be before bed....
But Gerry, when you take the B-complex at night, does it hinder your falling asleep?

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Indeed, lots of possibilities on what's going on.

If it's just that, then shouldn't I be excreting within a couple of hours as well when I take the supplement at night? But it's not the case. My urine color remains the "normal" even throughout the following day.

This reminds me of an article about this which concluded that cancer chemo must be given in the hours just past midnight, so that circulation to the liver and kidneys are lowest and thus, the harm of the chemo would be minimized.

Actually, I'm even thinking that if we are to eat only one meal a day, it should also be before sleep? (vs the concept that the heaviest meal of the day should be breakfast) Of course, my observations were only on the B-vitamins because they can really be obvious when being excreted. The other nutrients have different metabolisms, and our need for each during the day would vary. A heavy meal before sleep will keep us fat.

No. But I have never been one who had problems sleeping. :wink:

Well, maybe all I could do is just take supplements, at least the B-complex, at night. At least I would not see my money just being flushed down the drain.

Gerry

"If it's just that, then shouldn't I be excreting within a couple of hours as well when I take the supplement at night? But it's not the case. My urine color remains the "normal" even throughout the following day."

Well, doesn't this take us back to the different rate of absorption/excretion by night? If we are slower to excrete during night time, that could explain it!

I wonder if you will find a flaw in this line of thinking

I take my liquid B-Complex in the evening, but Not right
before bedtime.. It doesn't seem to bother my sleep either.
But, I take it then because there are so many other
supplements to take in the morning.

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I read or heard somewhere ages ago that the body repairs itself at night, especially between the hours of 10:00pm and 2:00am. Over 50 years ago I remember my grandmother saying that an hour's sleep before midnight was worth two hours after midnight. If this is true, then it seems that the body would need nutrition at night.

:wink: nightowl

Gerry, a couple ideas here. First stop taking fluids at least two hours before you go to bed. That will slow the night time loo visits.

One of my newsletter writers did not recommend the time release vitamins because they are undependable and don't release when they should and sometimes not at all. His recommendation was to take the vitamins at intervals during the day.

It is possible that the Bs taken right before bed are contributing to your night time pit stops. B6 in particular. I have found that I do best if I take the last of my vitamins NLT 7:30 pm. Yes, that includes a B50 complex. I also take one with my morning vitamins. I haven't noticed the urine at my 2:30 a.m visit, but then I don't turn on the light...grin...Will notice tomorrow morning though and report back.