I want to take a minute to talk about some of the other vitamins and what can happen when you don't get enough of them. First and formost is Vitamin B. Why you may ask? Because I know what happens when you are lacking it. Even pre-surgery I have to take a supplement for it.
Now, currently I'm taking one that I get at the grocery store but it is available online. Vitamin B when digested by a full stomach gets absorbed in the lower lining area right before it goes into the intestin. If you get a lap band, you still have this and will still digest vitamin B normally. With the RNY you have your pouch, and will need to take a sublingual version. Because it is absorbed in the mouth you get all the great benefits of the supplement and don't have to worry about the pouch not absorbing it correctly.
Why should you take it? After all the protein covers cell growth and healing, keeps your hair healthy, isn't that enough?
No. Lacking Vitamin B causes many issues as well. You can have even greater energy loss coupled with intense nerver pain! This is where my personal experience comes in. I eat everything under the sun, it is one of my weaknesses. When I plan meals I try to recreat a rainbow. I love vegetables and fruits, but have a healthy love of meats and legumes. I thought for years, no way would I need supplements.
The change occurred when I have high amount of pain in my arms and hands. I blamed my work desk. I got physical therapy. I got cushions for my arms to place on my chair. I got a special desk that lowered the keyboard so I wouldn't have additional strain on the arms during work. The pain.. lessened., but it didn't go away completely. After 2 years of being in almost constant dull pain with some days being worse then others, I went to see a hand specialist. I had a neurological team run an EMG. I had a nice high medical bill at that point since my otherwise excellent insurance didn't cover this. After another week to evaluate the results the specialist said, "Can you try taking a vitamin B supplement for a few weeks? Call me if you still have pain after that." Well, my pain went away quickly and quietly and I never went back.
The other thing you will want to find quickly is a nice multi vitamin. I still like the liquid version here too. You can find research to support the pills being fine. you can find research saying the liquids are better. I like them because I feel more energetic with the liquid ones then I do with the pill. The main reason for taking one is simple. All bodies need to have all the vitamins to work properly. A good multi will provide A, B, C, D, folic acid and several other trace minerals. Stay close to what is recommended for daily intake. Out bodies can't absorb unlimited amounts of all the vitamins we take in so save your money and don't go over board. Harvard Medical has a great article with yet more links explaining the importance of each part of a multi vitamin.
The only part that I do a little more naturally, is the vitamin D. First off, most milk is fortified with it. Orange juice now comes with it added in... it's all over. We still need direct sunlight to really get the most from it. By direct sunlight I mean a few minutes a day with out sunscreen. Having your legs or arms exposed to natural light as you go about daily life will help you process vitamin D. So step out in the sun, feel it's warmth and if it's going to be longer then 10 minutes, slather on the sun screen.
2 comments:
This is one of those things where it's important to distinguish between *skinny* and *healthy*. I'm so glad you brought this up! There are tons of people out there who are at their "optimal" weight but are still severely deficient in certain vitamins. This is great advice for people of every size and shape. :)
I believe in being healthy first and formost. I love that you do too.
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