Supplements Information

Fatigue After WLS: Iron Deficiency May Be the Cause


I've been feeling a tired and slow lately. Just don't have my usual get-up and go. Naturally, I blame the gastric bypass - it gets the blame whenever I don't feel well. After careful assessment I realized I have forgotten to take my vitamin for almost three weeks now. I am probably iron deficient - a risk all gastric bypass patients face.

We've all heard of anemia - a dangerous iron deficiency disease. In fact, iron-deficiency anemia is second only to obesity as a nation-wide health problem in the United States. Nine out of ten women in this country do not get their RDI of 18 milligrams of iron a day. That means their heart, brain and all other tissues are not receiving enough oxygen - iron is the chemical element in the red blood cell hemoglobin that delivers oxygen throughout the body.

If a person is short on iron they suffer a loss of energy, low-level fatigue - the blahs!

Brain activity, breathing, cellular respiration and every activity of the body depend on iron in the blood. Rosy cheeks and a glowing complexion indicate iron needs are met. Energy levels are up and an overall sense of wellness pervades.

Gastric bypass patients are at risk of iron deficiency because iron found in meat, poultry and fish is normally absorbed by the duodenum and small intestines. The nature of the bypassed system prevents adequate iron from foods from being absorbed. In addition, patients cannot physically eat enough food to meet the Daily Reference Intake (DRI).

To avoid iron deficiency and the resulting loss of energy patients must take an iron supplement daily.

Iron supplements: ferrous fumarate, ferrous gluconate or ferrous sulfate are recommended for all weight loss surgery patients. The body more readily absorbs iron when it is taken with vitamin C or a glass of orange juice. Your bariatric center may recommend a specific iron supplement for you. I take Puritan's Pride® Easy Iron; a capsule that contains 28 milligrams of iron glycinate, a gentle form of iron that is highly absorbable and well tolerated. It also contains Vitamin C, Folic Acid and Vitamin B-12 to further aid iron absorption by the body. I take it by itself between meals with water. Iron can interfere with zinc and calcium so I do not take my other supplements at the same time.

Iron is a key element in the body's energy-producing system. As you lose weight and become more active you will thrive with bounding energy. Be sure to maintain it by supplying your body with the iron it needs. In your annual blood test your serum ferritin level will measure your iron level and the nutritionist at your bariatric center will make the appropriate recommendations for supplementation.

It should be noted that iron RDI's are different for men and pre-menopausal women. Men over 19 years old should intake 8 milligrams of iron a day, preferably from food sources; women aged 19 to 51 should intake 18 milligrams, supplementation is suggested. After menopause women need intake only 8 milligrams to meet iron needs.

Always assess your nutritional intake if you lack energy. There's probably something you are missing, that once you get it back in your system you'll be feeling prime and proper in no time! If you don't know what vitamins & minerals you should be taking see your bariatric center.

Kaye Bailey is a weight loss surgery success story having maintained her health and goal weight for 5+ years. An award winning journalist, she is the author and webmaster of http://www.livingafterwls.com and http://www.livingafterwls.blogspot.com - Fresh & insightful content is added daily, check in often.

Copyright © 2005 Kaye Bailey - All Rights Reserved.


MORE RESOURCES:

Emerson Ecologics Announces Acquisition of TIDhealth
MarketWatch - 5 hours ago
"Practitioners and their patients will now have expanded access to the highest quality vitamins, herbs, nutritional supplements, homeopathics, ...


Canada.com

Supplements don't help prevent prostate cancer
Newsday, NY - Nov 18, 2008
Harvard College I'm thinking about taking a special supplement for prostate health. It contains mostly vitamins and minerals, such as complex B, vitamin C, ...
Vitamin C, E Supplements Won't Help Prevent Cancer Washington Post
Vitamin C, E Pills Fail to Prevent Cancer WebMD
(Update) Vitamin Supplements Won’t Help Prevent Prostate Cancer dBTechno
Food Consumer - eFluxMedia
all 426 news articles


Vitamin E won't prevent rheumatoid arthritis: study
Reuters - 7 hours ago
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Taking vitamin E supplements does not reduce a woman's risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an analysis of data from the Women's ...


Voice of America

Study: No Alzheimer's protection from ginkgo biloba
Newsday, NY - Nov 19, 2008
But in one of the largest - and longest - studies ever designed to test whether ginkgo can stave off Alzheimer's, scientists found the supplements were ...
Forget Ginkgo Supplements for Dementia Prevention MedPage Today
3:00 pm - Herbal Supplement Doesn't Prevent Alzheimer's KARK
Ginkgo no help for preventing Alzheimer's: study CBC.ca
Telegraph.co.uk - 13WHAM-TV
all 515 news articles


HealthNewsDigest.com

Adulteration Suspected with Some "Memory" Supplements
HealthNewsDigest.com, NY - Nov 18, 2008
By ConsumerLab (HealthNewsDigest.com) - WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK — Tests by ConsumerLab.com of Ginkgo biloba supplements show that few products meet quality ...


i-Supplements.com is ready for Cyber Monday w/ Great Deals & Coupons
PR Web (press release), WA - Nov 19, 2008
The management team at I-Supplements has increased their warehouse and customer service team to be fully prepared for the biggest online shopping day of the ...


Natrol(R) JuiceFestiv(TM) -- The Ultimate Fruit and Veggie ...
MarketWatch - 8 hours ago
Natrol, Inc. has a portfolio of health and wellness brands representing quality nutritional supplements, functional herbal teas, and sports nutrition ...


Always check with doctor before taking supplements
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, NY - Nov 19, 2008
Answer: Supplements do have a place in medical nutrition therapy. However, it is always critical to check with your physician or dietitian first. ...


Natural News.com

Nutritionist Jonny Bowden (Part III): Food Supplements and ...
Natural News.com, AZ - Nov 18, 2008
In this excerpt, Jonny Bowden shares on the most important supplements and food combining ideas that make sense as well as those that just don't hold up. ...


MMAjunkie.com

Ask the Doc: Dr. Johnny Benjamin on a surprisingly effective ...
MMAjunkie.com, OH - Nov 19, 2008
In this week's edition of "Ask the Doc," he follows up on that topic and answers an often-asked question: Are any supplements actually worth a ...

Supplements - Google News

home | site map
© 2006