Vitamins: A Do or Don't after WLS?

Published Today: LivingAfterWLS Weekly Digest

Vitamin Supplements: What you need to know now

Link to the newsletter: LAWLS Digest: Vitamins

 

You most likely heard the news earlier this week shouting, "Stop wasting your money on vitamin supplements!" This headline was pulled from the Annals of Internal Medicine in which the authors of an editorial conclude there is no evidence that routine use of vitamin and mineral supplements brings health benefits. The editorial stated, "The routine use (of vitamins) is not justified and they should be avoided. This message is especially true for the general population with no clear evidence of micronutrient deficiencies, who represent most supplement users in the United States and in other countries."

Those are strong words and mainstream media took notice with many news broadcasts and newspapers repeating the headline to stop wasting money on vitamins.

I've read many arguments for and against the use of vitamin supplementation over the last few days. The common factor in my research indicates these studies and expert opinions are intended for the general population of people who eat a balanced diet of nutrient dense food and who have no mitigating health circumstances. I'm not sure I know anyone who fits into that general population.

When we consented to have a surgical weight loss procedure we committed to a lifetime of following a carefully prescribed diet that most likely includes the use of vitamin and mineral supplements. We understood before surgery that our the low caloric intake after surgery and decreased absorption efficiency would require supplementation to meet our basic nutritional needs. Our bariatric surgeon and nutritionist prescribed specific supplementation to each of us. This prescription is to be followed throughout the course of our life with adjustments being made by us in collaboration with our health care team as nutritional needs change. Our nutritional needs are monitored with blood tests, overall health and well being, and life stages.

Today's digest offers many features regarding vitamin supplements and the weight loss surgery patient. I encourage you to spend time reviewing your personal vitamin and mineral supplementation. Are you getting all the nutritional support you need with diet and supplementation? Are you following the vitamin protocol prescribed at the time of surgery? Are you monitoring your nutritional wellness with blood tests and assessment of your overall health and well being?

I realize this is a particularly busy time of year to be asking one more thing of you. If you don't have time today to give thought to this topic save your newsletter to read later. Give it a good look-over when you have downtime before the new year begins. Set a goal to get your nutritional health in tip-top shape in 2014. Can you think of a better gift to give yourself?  Consider using our LivingAfterWLS Personal Self-Assessment Worksheet as part of your goal. Using it reminds us how far we have traveled and where we would like to go. Download the worksheet in pdf format: Self-Assessment Worksheet

I am grateful for all of you in the LivingAfterWLS community who work very hard every day to live healthier and manage your weight with the surgical tool. May your holidays be bountiful and celebrated with heartfelt gratitude. I wish you the best this holiday season and always.  Thanks for LivingAfterWLS with me!

Cheers! Kaye 

Published Today: LivingAfterWLS Weekly Digest

Vitamin Supplements: What you need to know now

Link to the newsletter: LAWLS Digest: Vitamins

Featured in Today's Digest:
Refresher: The B Vitamins
Using Dietary Supplements Wisely
What vitamin supplement is best for me?
Holiday Tips: Stay on Track & Enjoy
Recipe: Chicken breasts with apple stuffing

Link Now:  LAWLS Digest: Vitamins