Harshalee Parker
Bariatric Dietician & Content Writer
Role of Vit B12 Post Bariatric Surgery - Aastha Bariatrics
Vitamin B12 is one of the important nutrients and nowadays people are falling short of vitamin B12 because of their lifestyle and eating pattern, these causes a serious impact on their health.
Bariatric surgery is a life-changing procedure that can help individuals lose weight and improve their overall health. However, depending on the type of surgery performed can also have a significant impact on the body’s ability to absorb nutrients, including vitamin B12, this mostly happens in malabsorptive types of surgery.
What is Vitamin B12?
Vitamin B12 also known as cobalamin is naturally found in animal foods. The name cobalmin is because it contains the mineral cobalt. It is a water-soluble vitamin involved in metabolism. It is one of eight B vitamins. It is important in the normal functioning of the nervous system via its role in the synthesis of myelin and the circulatory system in the maturation of red blood cells in the bone marrow. Vitamin B12 binds to the protein in the foods we eat. In the stomach, hydrochloric acid and enzymes unbind vitamin B12 into its free form. From there, vitamin B12 combines with a protein called intrinsic factor so that it can be absorbed further down in the small intestine.
RDA: The Recommended Dietary Allowance for men and women ages 14 years and older is 2.4 micrograms (mcg) daily. For pregnancy and lactation, the amount increases to 2.6 mcg and 2.8 mcg daily, respectively.
Why is Vitamin B12 Important After Bariatric Surgery?
Bariatric surgeries such as gastric Sleeve or malabsorptive surgery can have a significant impact on the body’s ability to absorb nutrients, including vitamin B12. This is because the surgery alters the digestive tract, which can affect the absorption of nutrients from food.
After bariatric surgery, the stomach size is reduced, and the small intestine is rerouted. This can result in reduced production of stomach acid and intrinsic factors, which are both essential for the absorption of vitamin B12.
Without adequate levels of vitamin B12, patients can experience a range of symptoms, including fatigue, weakness, numbness or tingling in the hands and feet, and difficulty maintaining balance.
Vitamin B12 is naturally found in animal foods. Good dietary sources of vitamin B12 include:
Poultry
Red meat
Eggs
Dairy products like milk, cheese, yogurt
Fish
Fortified breakfast cereals
Fortified nutritional yeast
Enriched soy milk
Vegetarian sources of vitamin B12 include:
Nutritional Yeast
Marmite + Yeast spreads
Fortified soy + almond milk
Plant-based meats
Fortified cereals
Tempeh
Chlorella
Nori seaweed
Cremini mushrooms
How to Ensure Adequate Vitamin B12 Intake After Bariatric Surgery
To ensure that you are getting enough vitamin B12 after bariatric surgery, it is essential to work closely with your dietitian. They may recommend regular blood tests to monitor your vitamin B12 levels and prescribe vitamin B12 supplements or injections to maintain adequate levels.
It is also important to follow a diet that is rich in vitamin B12. This may include incorporating animal-based foods, such as meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products, into your diet. If you are following a vegetarian or vegan diet, you may need to rely on fortified foods or supplements to ensure that you are getting enough vitamin B12.
In addition to vitamin B12, it is also important to ensure that you are getting enough other essential nutrients, such as iron, calcium, and vitamin D. These nutrients are also essential for maintaining good health after bariatric surgery and can help to prevent complications and deficiencies.
In addition to vitamin B12 supplements, patients may also benefit from other forms of treatment, such as intramuscular injections or nasal sprays. These methods can help to ensure that patients are getting enough vitamin B12 and can help to prevent complications and deficiencies.
Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient that is important for the proper functioning of the nervous system and the production of red blood cells. After bariatric surgery, the body’s ability to absorb vitamin B12 can be significantly impaired, which can lead to a range of symptoms and complications. By taking steps to ensure that you are getting enough vitamin B12 and other essential nutrients, you can maintain good health after bariatric surgery and enjoy the many benefits of this life-changing procedure.
Aastha Bariatrics is a metabolic and bariatric surgery center. At Aastha Bariatrics, we provide exceptional care to our patients and mentor them throughout the weight loss process. At our center, we value every patient’s life, so we never compromise on quality, and Dr. Manish Motwani is one of the best bariatric surgeons in India, with 26 years of experience Metabolic and Laproscopic Surgeries. Over the last 15 years, patients have reported no difficulties following surgery.
