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.
You may feel 30, but your body keeps reminding you... Read More
Many people take amino acids for height growth these days.... Read More
The body is just mind-bogglingly amazing. I mean, when you... Read More
Are you not feeling any results from your nutritional supplements?Here... Read More
Supplement is a word defined by Webster as such: Something... Read More
When it comes to personalized weight loss programs and their... Read More
A ranch house, a zip lock bag and some ordinary... Read More
Whey protein is a high quality powder made from cow's... Read More
Vitamin B is no small time player in the high... Read More
If you're constantly digging your hand into a jar of... Read More
Undoubtedly calcium has become a hot topic of controversy. We... Read More
Some say that the benefits of this all-natural HGH releaser... Read More
Vitamins is something people been using for a while and... Read More
Whey protein concentrate popularity has increased dramatically in recent years... Read More
Best liquid calcium with boronNo longer is the search for... Read More
As consumers, we are faced daily with choices about what... Read More
GlutImmune? is a very convenient high absorption source of glutamine.... Read More
After nearly 4 years of research and development, Flavonoid Sciences... Read More
Since the 1960â??s there have been numerous controlled clinical trials... Read More
Sometimes I used to look at my son Shawn and... Read More
The ancient Egyptians had a cure for "night blindness". They... Read More
I often hear people say that they have smoked for... Read More
Vitamins are organic compounds that the human body cannot produce... Read More
Vision is one of our most precious senses. Without it... Read More
I have frequently heard alcoholics who are in early recovery... Read More
As with most nutrients and minerals, zinc is often ignored... Read More
How Well Does Thyrin-ATC and Other Natural Thyroid Products Work?Hypothyroidism... Read More
I have good news for you! The answer is both... Read More
A 2002 study reported, funded by the Swiss National Science... Read More
It seems today that for every mood swing, inconvenient behavior,... Read More
This article will reveal one easy change you can make... Read More
Finding out a little about amino acid basics enables you... Read More
Vitamins and minerals play a major role in becoming healthy... Read More
Vitamin smoothies are a great way to enjoy a cold... Read More
The next step on your road to real health is... Read More
Diet Supplement ? when are they used?Why diet supplement is... Read More
Vitamins and Minerals Can Improve SleepTaking proper vitamins and minerals... Read More
Are the new Argireline Wrinkle Relaxing Creams as effective as... Read More
Since its discovery in the late 1950â??s Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)... Read More
Vitamin E is a family of eight related molecules known... Read More
Hyaluronic acid is available in a variety of products ranging... Read More
The ancient Egyptians had a cure for "night blindness". They... Read More
Perhaps you first read riboflavin at the back of a... Read More
Three Important Nutrients - Vitamin E, Selenium, and Sodium and... Read More
Before you read the rest of this article I want... Read More
Liquid vitamins are the same vitamins that you find in... Read More
As consumers, we are faced daily with choices about what... Read More
L-carnitine is a nutritional supplement that has been touted by... Read More
With all of the exciting things people are seeing in... Read More
If you break the word apart, Nutra has to do... Read More
How many pills do you have to take every morning?... Read More
I've been feeling a tired and slow lately. Just don't... Read More
There is a paradox of sorts when dealing with injections... Read More
Nutrition Supplement ? nutrition.Nutrition supplement is a term familiar to... Read More
Discount Supplement ? what is it?Discount supplement is a term... Read More
The body needs a minimum amount of vitamins and minerals... Read More
A dose of vitamin C may give a quick boost... Read More
Many people find that after a few weeks, the gains... Read More
Whey protein is available in supplement form and whey protein... Read More
With dietary supplements making their way in our daily life,... Read More
Recently the news carried the story that a researcher had... Read More
Fish oil is oil derived from the tissues of fatty... Read More
"High-dose pharmaceutical-grade fish oil is as close to a medical... Read More
Flavones are the latest big supplement to hit the market.... Read More
According to Dr John Scurr leading Consultant Vascular Surgeon and... Read More
Every minute of every day the cells of our... Read More
Nutritional Supplements |