Over-the-counter (OTC) multivitamin and mineral supplements became available in the early 1940s, and people have been taking them ever since. They account for almost 16.67% of all dietary supplement purchases and 40% of all vitamin and mineral supplement sales. In the United States in 2018, an estimated $124.8 billion was spent on dietary supplements, including $42.6 billion on vitamin and mineral supplements, of which $8.5 billion was spent on multivitamins alone. This article will help you compare bariatric vitamins with regular vitamins.
Key takeaways
- There is no standard definition of a multivitamin, so compositions vary widely.
- After weight loss surgery you are more susceptible to deficiencies due to lower food intake and potential malabsorption.
- The ASMBS guidelines set the amounts needed to prevent deficiencies per surgery type.
- OTC vitamins do not provide adequate nutrients to prevent deficiencies after bariatric surgery.
Multivitamin regulation
Our bodies need vitamins and minerals daily to function properly, and their absence can lead to severe health issues and even death. However, there is no standard or regulatory definition of a multivitamin supplement, and no standards for which nutrients it must contain or at what levels. The term can therefore refer to products with widely varying compositions. Manufacturers determine the types and levels of vitamins, minerals and other ingredients, so many brands and types are available, such as once-daily, specialised and broad-spectrum formulas specifically for men, women or children.
Some multivitamins contain levels of certain vitamins and minerals that are substantially higher than the Daily Value (DV), Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), Adequate Intake (AI) and, in some cases, even the established Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL). They might include other nutritional and herbal ingredients, in packs of two or more pills to be taken each day. To complicate things further, many dietary supplements are not labelled as multivitamins, even though they contain similar types and amounts of vitamins and minerals. It is critical that your body has the right amount of vitamins and minerals to function properly, keep you healthy and potentially help you reach your 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 in food intake and potential malabsorption. This can greatly affect the amount of vitamins and minerals your body can absorb. Because of these limitations (depending on surgery type), the amounts of vitamins recommended to maintain your health and prevent deficiencies are defined by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) guidelines. These recommendations are based on preventing deficiencies and are essential for anyone undergoing bariatric surgery who wants the best outcome. 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 to choose from, but not all bariatric vitamins meet the minimum recommendations set by the ASMBS, so do your homework when looking for the right bariatric supplements. While not all bariatric vitamins are created equal, they are made with bariatric patients in mind, unlike over-the-counter regular vitamins, which are designed for the general population.
OTC vitamin supplements do not provide adequate nutrients to prevent deficiencies in post-bariatric surgery patients. Discuss specific products with your healthcare professionals before choosing your bariatric vitamins: find out what their protocol for your surgery is, 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 in your daily food intake, optimising your nutritional status. Take your vitamin and mineral supplements as directed to maintain normal nutritional lab values and reduce the risk of nutritional deficiencies. By taking a bariatric multivitamin and keeping your lab values normal, you will be well on your way to reaching and maintaining your weight loss goals.
Sources
- Mechanick JI, et al. Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases. 2020;16:175–247.
- National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Multivitamin/mineral Supplements: Fact Sheet. 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. Am J Clin Nutr. 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. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007;85:269S-276S.
This article is for general information only and does not replace personal medical advice. Always discuss your situation, blood test results and supplementation with your bariatric team or healthcare provider.