Why Bariatric Patients Need to Take Vitamin B-12

Many Bariatric bypass patients are being given prescriptions for B-12 vitamins. Some are wondering why they need B-12 for? The reason is that malabsorption occurs after weight loss surgery. This also affects the absorption of vitamins and minerals we need in our bodies. Vitamin B-12 is needed in our body for the following reasons:

1) Required for the creation of energy from dietary fats and proteins.

2) It aids in the production of hemoglobin.

3) Aids in the production and maintenance of myelin.

Even though Vitamin B-12 is normally stored in the brain, liver, heart, spleen, and kidneys, the stomach plays a major role in the digestions and absorption of B-12. In has been shown that the loss of hydrocholoric acid, gastric churning and pepsin cause deficiency in Vitamin B-12 in weight loss patients by as much as 70& in some research studies.

Some of the early signs and symptoms of Vitamin B-12 deficiency are: fatique, weakness, shortness of breath, and loss of appetite. Some patients may not show these early symptoms. The more advanced signs are weakness, parasthesia, and a sore tongue.

Vitamin B-12 is very safe to take/ It can be taken in a shot, sublingual ( Bariatric Advanage sub-lingual B-12)and nasal spray. Vitamin B-12 is also available and found in meats, eggs and dairy product ( all high in proteins ), but not enough to correct a deficiency. If your surgeon prescribed Vitamin B-12, make sure to take in as prescribed. There can be serious and permanent side effects to Vitamin B-12 deficiencies.

I also recomend that you talk to your surgeon about the easy to take sublinguial form of B-12 that is available from Bariatric Advantage.