Why Do I Need a Chewable Multivitamin?
Vitamins and minerals, which are called micro-nutrients, require supplementation after gastric bypass surgery for maintenance of proper health and nutrition. Micro-nutrient deficiency is the most common side effect from this procedure due to the malabsorptive component of gastric bypass. This typically occurs in approximately 21% of patients. Some frequently seen deficiencies include: iron, B12, folic acid, and calcium. Side affects when lacking in these important micro-nutrients include: easy bruising, loss of hair, lack of energy, and even failure to lose weight appropriately.
Taking a chewable multivitamin is the easiest and most effective way of reducing the risk of micro-nutrient deficiencies in the body after gastric bypass surgery. A chewable vitamin ensures adequate absorption by beginning the digestive process in the mouth. Chewing breaks down the multivitamin to its most biologically available form and gives your digestive tract a distinct advantage of absorbing all the vitamins and minerals possible. Taking a capsule delays the absorption of supplements being taken. The shell of the capsule must be broken down in the digestive tract before absorption can occur. When and where this takes place cannot be determined with 100% accuracy.
You must find a vitamin and mineral formulation that is made specifically for patients who have had gastric bypass surgery. This formulation should have dramatically higher percentages of vitamins A through E, B12, folic acid, and calcium. It must also include iron and chelated forms of minerals which increase your chance of absorption.
Those patients taking anti-coagulants such as warfarin and coumadin must be sure to avoid formulations containing Vitamin K. Patients who suffer from migraines should consider a product that is sweetened with sucralose (Splenda) rather then aspartame. Be sure that your surgeon or primary doctor routinely checks your blood work for early detection of any underlying deficiencies.