Micronutrient deficiencies after bariatric surgery
Written by: Laura Arantegui / Date: 04-04-24 / Reading of 5 Minutes
Bariatric surgery can affect micronutrient intake and absorption, making vitamin and mineral supplements imperative for maintaining good health and promoting optimal recovery.
In this post, we will explore the importance of vitamins and minerals after bariatric surgery, the most common deficiencies, and the role of vitamin and mineral supplements specifically for bariatric patients.
Table of Contents
- Importance of vitamins and minerals after bariatric surgery.
- 2. Consequences of vitamin deficiency
- 3. Consequences of mineral deficiency
- 4. Specific vitamin supplements for bariatric patients and their role in recovery.
- 5. Frequently Asked Questions
Importance of vitamins and minerals after bariatric surgery
Bariatric surgery, whether it is a gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, biliopancreatic diversion or other procedures, significantly changes the anatomy of the digestive system. This can lead to reduced intake, difficulty in the digestion process and altered absorption of nutrients, which increases the risk of nutritional deficiencies. Vitamins and minerals are essential for optimal body function and recovery after surgery.
Types of nutritional deficiencies most common in restrictive techniques (vertical gastrectomy, gastric banding, etc):
- Vitamins: B12, B1, A, D
- Minerals: Iron and Calcium
Most common types of nutritional deficiencies in malabsorptive techniques (duodenal crossover, biliopancreatic diversion or SADI-S):
- Vitamins: B12, B1, folic acid, C, A, D, E and K.
- Minerals: Iron, calcium, zinc, copper and magnesium.
Most common types of nutritional deficiencies in mixed techniques (gastric bypass, mini gastric bypass or BAGUA):
- Vitamins: B12, B1, folic acid, C, A and D
- Minerals: Iron, calcium, zinc, copper and magnesium.
Consequences of vitamin deficiency:
- Vitamin A: vision and skin problems.
- Vitamin B1: neurological problems.
- Folic acid: anemia.
- Vitamin B12: anemia and neurological problems.
- Vitamin C: poor wound healing.
- Vitamin D: impairment of calcium absorption (bone problems).
- Vitamin E: coordination problems, difficulty walking and muscle weakness.
- Vitamin K: blood coagulation disorders.
Consequences of mineral deficiency:
- Iron: anemia and fatigue.
- Zinc: hair loss, alteration of taste and smell, itching, etc.
- Copper: neurological problems and anemia.
- Calcium: bone problems (osteopenia and osteoporosis).
- Magnesium: muscle weakness and cramps.
Specific vitamin supplements for bariatric patients and their role in recovery
Vitamin supplements are essential to prevent and alleviate nutritional deficiencies in bariatric patients. Below, we talk about the importance of each one of them:
- Specific multivitamins and multiminerals for bariatric patients: These supplements are specifically designed to meet the vitamin and mineral needs of bariatric patients. They may include vitamin B12, iron, vitamin D, copper, zinc, etc. The BariMIX line is designed to meet the specific vitamin and mineral needs of the bariatric patient according to the type of bariatric surgery.
- Zinc supplements: In case of zinc deficiencies in the analytical tests, a zinc supplement can be recommended to contribute to the maintenance of hair, nails and skin. On our website you can find BariZINC, a food supplement based on zinc gluconate.
- Iron Supplements: May be recommended if anemia develops due to iron deficiency.
- Calcium supplementation: Taking iron and calcium together may interfere with the absorption of these nutrients. Therefore, calcium should be supplemented in isolation from multivitamins and multiminerals. Calcium helps prevent bone loss and maintain dental health. On our website you can find BariCALCIUM, a food supplement based on calcium and vitamin D.
It is vital that bariatric patients follow their medical team's recommendations regarding supplementation. This ensures that they are receiving adequate amounts of nutrients essential for their recovery and long-term health.
In summary, after bariatric surgery, vitamins and nutritional supplements play a crucial role in preventing deficiencies and promoting health and recovery. It is essential that bariatric patients follow an appropriate supplementation regimen and have regular medical follow-up with blood work to ensure that their nutritional needs are being met. Nutritional care is essential to maximize the benefits of bariatric surgery and enjoy a healthy life.
Literature references
1. Parrott J, Frank L, Rabena R, Craggs-Dino L, Isom KA, Greiman L. American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Integrated Health Nutritional Guidelines for the Surgical Weight Loss Patient 2016 Update: Micronutrients. Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2017 May;13(5):727-741. doi: 10.1016/j.soard.2016.12.018. Epub 2017 Jan 19. PMID: 28392254.
2. Wharton S, Lau DCW, Vallis M, Sharma AM, Biertho L, Campbell-Scherer D, et al. Obesity in adults: a clinical practice guideline. CMAJ. 2020 Aug 4;192(31):E875-E891.
3. Ballesteros MD, Vilarasa N, Rubio MA, Barajona MJ, Bueno M, Caixàs A, et al. SEEN comprehensive clinical approach to obesity in adulthood. Endocrinol Diabetes Nutr. 2020 Sep 12:S2530-0164(20)30162-2.
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