Best Vitamin D for Bariatric Patients: Expert Guide

Written by Anita Tejani, MS, BS and medically reviewed by Dr. Stephen Boyce, MD

Muscle twitches, bone pain, and “pins and needles” in your hands and feet are just three of the many signs you may have a vitamin D deficiency. And then again, you might not have any symptoms until you break a bone.

Vitamin D is used throughout your body in many different tissues and systems. Its effects can be seen in your skeleton, muscles, immune system, and even your brain.

A Vitamin D deficiency is common in obesity and after weight loss surgery when less of this essential vitamin is absorbed.

So the question is not “Should I take vitamin D supplements?” but rather, “Which vitamin D supplement is best for bariatric patients?”

This expert guide answers all your questions. Join us as we shed light on everything you need to know about vitamin D supplementation post-surgery.

The Importance of Vitamin D for Bariatric Patients

Getting enough vitamin D is critical for everyone. However, your needs change when nutrient absorption is impaired due to a reduced stomach volume after surgery.

To ensure your body has enough of this crucial nutrient to perform its many jobs throughout the body, you must take Vitamin D supplements.

The sunshine vitamin has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties which may help prevent cancer and slow its growth. It is also involved in maintaining a healthy blood pressure and improving blood sugar levels.

But vitamin D is best known for the following three roles:

Bone Health

Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption. It helps maintain bone health and prevent osteoporosis—a common bariatric surgery vitamin deficiency due to changes in nutrient absorption.

On a side note, vitamin D is also crucial for proper muscle function and strength. Deficiency often leads to muscle weakness and pain, which in turn, increases your risk of falling and breaking a bone. 

Immune Function

Adequate vitamin D levels support a strong immune system. Research shows it has benefits for autoimmune disorders and reduces your susceptibility to infections such as colds and flu.

Therefore, it is a crucial nutrient to maintain your overall health and well-being after surgery. A strong immune system is pivotal to a speedier recovery.

Mood Regulation

Research has delivered mixed results about the link between vitamin D and mood disorders like depression and anxiety. However, it protects the brain, and maintaining recommended levels may help improve your mood.

This can be particularly useful in bariatric patients adjusting to lifestyle changes post-surgery. The changes to your body and the resulting weight loss and recovery period can take their toll on your mental health. 

In short, vitamin D supports not only your physical health, but your mental well-being too.

Recommended Dosages of Vitamin D Post-Surgery

Weight loss surgery has a significant impact on vitamin D metabolism, which means your requirements are higher than the average person’s. Supplements are the only way to achieve the dose you need.

The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) recommends 3000 IU of vitamin D3 daily. That’s exactly the amount in Barilife’s bariatric multivitamin with iron, Just One. The goal is to increase the amount of vitamin D in your blood so that it is higher than the suggested minimum level.

For illustration, if you were to compare prenatal vitamins vs bariatric vitamins, you’ll see that most prenatal vitamins contain significantly lower levels of vitamin D, typically around 400-600 IU. This amount is insufficient for bariatric patients who need more because of their impaired nutrient absorption post-surgery.

Every human body is unique, especially after bariatric surgery, and individual needs for nutrients may vary. That’s why your doctor will regularly monitor your blood levels of vitamin D. This way, they can make adjustments to your dose as needed, keeping your vitamin D levels within the normal range to prevent deficiency or toxicity.

Understanding the Role of Calcium and Other Vitamins

Vitamin D alone cannot carry the responsibility of keeping you healthy. It works in conjunction with a variety of other nutrients.

In the case of bone health, vitamin D enhances calcium absorption, making it critical to maintain balanced levels of both nutrients. Calcium also supports efficient muscle contractions, maintains an even heartbeat, and ensures proper function of the nervous system.

As well as monitoring vitamin D levels, your healthcare team will keep an eye on your iron and vitamin B12 levels. They are important to prevent iron-deficiency anemia and neurological conditions, common in bariatric patients.

The four nutrients mentioned here might receive more attention than the others, but they are all equally important for a successful bariatric journey of weight loss and health.

Nutrient requirements after bariatric surgery are complex. Therefore, the ASMBS recommends taking a comprehensive bariatric multivitamin such as Barilife – we make one of the best bariatric vitamins available. They provide the full range of necessary vitamins and minerals for people who have had weight loss surgery.

A multivitamin and mineral formulated specifically for bariatric patients helps ensure balanced nutrition. They cover any potential nutritional gaps caused by dietary restrictions and poor absorption post-surgery to ensure your body is well nourished. This answers the question: What are bariatric vitamins?

What kind of vitamin D should I take after gastric bypass

Foods Rich in Vitamin D for Bariatric Patients

Supplements play a pivotal role in meeting your nutrient requirements after weight loss surgery. However, including foods containing vitamin D in your diet can offer additional benefits.

These natural sources are an excellent complement to your supplement regime and can boost your overall health. It’s important to remember, though, that your surgery may affect how you eat these foods and how your body digests them. Always work with your dietitian and healthcare team to plan a diet suitable for your personal needs.

First on the list is fatty fish. Salmon, mackerel, and sardines are good sources of vitamin D, providing a significant boost to your daily supplement intake. They are also rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for overall health.

Next, is fortified foods. Many dairy products, including milk and yogurt, are fortified with vitamin D. If you can’t tolerate dairy after your surgery, you can also consider using fortified plant-based dairy alternatives like soy, almond, or oat milk. 

Other foods fortified with vitamin D include breakfast cereals and orange juice. These are often useful for bariatric patients as they can be consumed in small portions and easily included in a restricted diet. 

Finally, egg yolks are a versatile food source of vitamin D. You can add them to a variety of meals according to your post-surgery guidelines and stage of recovery. Scrambled, boiled, or made into omelets, eggs also offer valuable protein.

Bonus food source: Mushrooms naturally contain vitamin D. But, when you put them out in the sun for 10-15 (minutes/seconds?) before cooking them, their vitamin D content increases. They’re a great source of this essential vitamin for bariatric patients following a vegan or vegetarian diet.

It’s not only mushrooms that get their vitamin D from the sun. People are also able to produce this all-important nutrient when the sun’s UVB rays hit our skin. That’s why it is often called the “sunshine vitamin.

A combination of supplements, dietary sources, and careful sun exposure, may be the most effective approach to maintaining your Vitamin D levels post-surgery.

Why is vitamin D deficiency common in bariatric patients

Recognizing Signs of Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency is common in people who’ve had weight loss surgery. Your reduced stomach capacity and dietary restrictions interfere with the absorption and metabolism of this, and many other nutrients.

To avoid complications, you must become familiar with the signs of a low vitamin status. When you notice symptoms early, you can talk to your healthcare team, who can help you devise a treatment plan to rectify the problem before it becomes serious.

One of the most common early signs of vitamin D deficiency is fatigue and muscle weakness. Daily activities may make you tired more easily and your muscles feel weak and achy. Don’t write these symptoms off to post-surgery side effects. Your vitamin D levels have likely dropped and should be investigated.

Bone pain and an increased risk of fractures are signs of a more severe lack of vitamin D. As mentioned before, vitamin D is essential for the absorption of calcium. So low levels can lead to decreased bone mineral density. The result is pain deep in your bones, especially in your back, pelvis, and legs. 

Your immune system can also take a knock when your vitamin D levels are low. The nutrient plays a crucial role in immune function. People with low levels of vitamin D become more susceptible to infections. A robust immune system is critical for recovery from your surgery.

Other potential signs of vitamin D deficiency are depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD), slow wound healing, and falling more easily due to muscle weakness. 

Choosing the Right Vitamin D Supplement

Like all other vitamin supplements for bariatric patients, choose a vitamin D supplement that meets your needs. It must be in a form your body can easily absorb and use.

Vitamin D occurs in two forms: ergocalciferol (D2) and cholecalciferol (D3). Research shows that vitamin D3 is more effective at raising vitamin D levels than D2, making it the best choice for supplementation.

As always the quality and purity of your vitamin D supplement are important considerations. Look for supplements that have been tested by a third party. They are more likely to be free from contamination and to contain accurate levels of the desired nutrients. 

Remember, your body no longer absorbs nutrients as efficiently as it did before your surgery. Supplements in liquid or chewable forms are usually better tolerated and absorbed.

To conclude, vitamin D deficiency is common after bariatric surgery and your levels must be closely monitored by your healthcare team to avoid complications.

This important nutrient has functions throughout the body. From bone health to brain health, muscle strength to immunity, vitamin D ensures your overall health and wellbeing.

Although supplements are the key to maintaining your vitamin D levels, fatty fish, eggs, fortified foods, and suntanned mushrooms can boost your intake. And, of course, safe sun exposure can promote the synthesis of the “sunshine vitamin” in your body.

Considering the importance of vitamin D, it is critical for you to work closely with your bariatric healthcare team. They will regularly assess your vitamin D status and advise you on how to adapt your dose of vitamin D.

With their support, you will enjoy both weight loss and improved health.

Conclusion

Vitamin D is essential for bariatric patients, especially post-surgery, as absorption is reduced. It supports bones, immunity, and mood, making supplements crucial. Bari Life’s Just One Bariatric Multivitamin is a bariatric multivitamin with iron that provides 3000 IU of vitamin D3 daily, helping meet the recommended levels. Regular monitoring with healthcare providers ensures proper intake. Foods like fatty fish, eggs, fortified products, and sun-exposed mushrooms can also help boost vitamin D levels for better overall health.

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