Bariatric Vitamins vs Over The Counter Vitamins

Over the Counter (OTC) multivitamin mineral supplements became available in the early 1940s, and people have been taking them ever since. They account for almost 16.67% of all purchases of dietary supplements and 40% of all sales of vitamin and mineral supplements. In the United States in 2018, an estimated $124.8 billion was reported from the sale of dietary supplements. This amount included $42.6 billion for all vitamin and mineral-containing supplements, of which $8.5 billion was spent on multivitamins alone. This article will help you better compare bariatric vitamins vs regular vitamins.

Multivitamin Regulation

Our bodies need vitamins and minerals daily to function properly, and the absence of these can lead to severe health issues and even death. However, there is no standard or regulatory definition for a multivitamin supplement, and there are no standards for specific nutrients it must contain or at what levels. Therefore, the term can refer to products of widely varied compositions and characteristics. Manufacturers are able to determine the types and levels of vitamins, minerals, and other ingredients in the multivitamins. As a result, there are many brands and types available on the market, such as once-daily, specialized, and broad-spectrum formulas specifically meant for men, women, or children.

Some multivitamins contain levels of certain vitamins and minerals that are substantially higher than the Daily Value (DV), Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA), Adequate Intake (AI), and even, in some cases, the established tolerable Upper Intake level (UL). They might include other nutritional and herbal ingredients, in packages or packs of two or more pills that users are supposed to take each day. To complicate the OTC products even further, many dietary supplements are not labeled as multivitamins, even though they contain similar types and amounts of vitamins and minerals to some products labeled as a multivitamin. It is critical your body has the right amount of vitamins and minerals to function properly, keep you healthy, and potentially, assist with reaching weight loss goals.

Why Bariatric Vitamins are Important After Surgery

After weight loss surgery, you are more susceptible to vitamin and mineral deficiencies, due to a decrease of food intake and potential malabsorption. This can greatly affect the amount of vitamins and minerals your body is able to absorb. Since there are limitations on the amount of vitamins and minerals you are able to absorb (based on surgery type), the amount of vitamins recommended to maintain your health and prevent deficiencies is defined by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) guidelines. These recommendations are based on preventing deficiencies, and they are essential for any person undergoing bariatric surgery who wishes for the best patient outcomes. The ASMBS guidelines recommend nine essential vitamins and minerals (iron and calcium should be taken separately).

Taking bariatric vitamins that meet the ASMBS guidelines for your specific surgery type is critical for your weight loss surgery journey. In general, bariatric-specific vitamins are better absorbed, cause less irritation to your gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and will help prevent vitamin deficiencies better than OTC vitamins. There are many brands from which to choose, but not all bariatric vitamins meet the minimum recommendations set forth by the ASMBS, so be sure to do your homework when looking for the right bariatric supplements for you. While not all bariatric vitamins are created equally, they are made with bariatric patients in mind, as opposed to over the counter regular vitamins, which are designed for the general population. 

When considering the ASMBS guidelines for vitamins, please note that OTC vitamin supplements do not provide adequate nutrients to prevent deficiencies in post-bariatric surgery patients. Discuss specific products with your health care professionals before choosing your bariatric vitamins. Find out what their protocol for your specific surgery might be, and ask for their help in finding a regimen that works for you. 

A daily bariatric multivitamin is a necessary insurance policy and is critical for weight loss surgery patients. It fills in the gaps that might be missing in your daily food intake, optimizing your nutritional status. It’s necessary to take vitamin and mineral supplements as directed in order to maintain normal nutritional lab values and reduce the risk of potential nutritional deficiencies. Taking a bariatric multivitamin and keeping normal laboratory levels, you will be well on your way to reaching and maintaining your weight loss goals.

References:

• Jeffrey I. Mechanick et al. / Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases 16 (2020) 175–247.
• National Institutes of Health. Office of Dietary Supplements. Multivitamin/mineral Supplements: Fact Sheet for Consumers. Available online at: https://www.ods.od.nih/gov/pdf/factshees/MVMS-HealthProfessional.pdf. Accessed August, 2020.
• NIH State-of-the-Science Panel. National Institutes of Health state-of-the-science conference statement: multivitamin/mineral supplements and chronic disease prevention. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2007;85:257S-264S. 
• Nutrition Business Journal. NBJ’s Supplement Business Report 2015. Penton Media, Inc., 2015.
• Yetley, EA. Multivitamin and multimineral dietary supplements: definitions, characterization, bioavailability, and drug interactions. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2007;85:269S-276S.

Bariatric Multivitamin Capsules, Iron-Free

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Maximizing nutrient absorption is essential for long-term success after weight loss surgery. Bariatric Multivitamin capsules offer a comprehensive blend of vitamins and minerals, meticulously formulated to optimize absorption even with a reduced digestive system. Thorough range of essential nutrients crucial… read more

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