Working out and Vitamins?

I had the DS, and as part of having a surgery that causes malabsorbtion, I get regular blood work.  Anyway, on my 3 and 9 month labs all my vitamin levels were normal, I just had 15 month blood work done, and I was low on several vitamins including zinc.  I take my suppliments regularly, I eat basically the same every week....the only difference between months 9 and now is the intensity of my workout routine.  I do a lot more weight training then I do cardio, and I work out more often at a higher intensity level.  Could this change in my work out routine cause a change in vitamin levels?    I made the necessary adjustments in my suppliments, but am wondering if I there are any suppliments that the body uses more of when we work out often....so I can get "extra" of those and avoid any deficiencies.   Again, my levels are just off of normal..so it's not a HUGE deal, but I've never missed a dose of vitamins since I had surgery, and like my levels to be normal everytime I test.  Any help would be great.  Scott

Scott, Just some ‘bits & pieces’ from other files in my hard drive…. Some extrapolation from general nutrition/Vitamin Posts of the past… The water soluble B’s are utilized in metabolizing carbs and proteins and building muscle, along with the nerve function stuff. Those also don’t "store" in the body so have to be continually consumed. Also very difficult (and in some instances impossible) to Over-dose most of the ‘B’s." Too much? Not so bad, too little? Bad!!! Biotin and Folic acid also play a fairly crucial role in glycogen metabolism. Even though having the DS, there is no "compromised" absorption of B-1, in general, all folks experiencing rapid weight-loss (even non-ops) tend to have drops in B-1 and Folic Acid levels. Potassium deficiency can easily crop up for any having diarrhea for any amount of time, so it tends to crop up early on in a lot of WLS patients of all procedures. I’m assuming you are supplementing your fat soluble Vits- ADEK and maybe Calcium as well? In specific regard to Exercise or Muscle Building programs, - (the ones that often make the "Body-Builder" Lists) Chromium picolinate supplements have been shown to increase muscle mass and reduce insulin response, thereby increasing loss of excess fat tissue at the same time. Double blind study in ’97 at Univ. of Tex. After 26 weeks, chromium picolinate-supplemented patients showed increased lean body mass, which the control group did not. Vitamin C has been shown to keep testosterone levels high which leads to faster muscle formation. Vitamin C also produces collagen, essential to prevent and recover from injuries. (this "Recovery" aspect of collagen has led some to utilize ‘Collagen Supplements’ along with L-Carnitine, to increase "re-build" of muscle tissue while resting between exercise days. The "Lose & Snooze" rage of maximizing muscle growth during sleep. ) along these same lines of "Muscle Growth utilizing Sleep changes in insulin levels and testosterone levels- Zinc Monomethionine Aspartate plus Magnesium Aspartate and vitamin B-6 combinations, sold often as "ZMA" have a lot of "Buzz" in the Body Building community presently. (Chris L. from this Board has had Very Positive things to say about it.) A study in the American College of Sports Medicine Journal, Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, May 1999, supports the claims of the various manufacturers showing remarkable increases in free testosterone levels and enhanced muscle strength. Biotin is crucial to the production of fatty acids and it helps metabolize Carbs. Pantothenic acid is important for Aerobic glycolysis. Vitamin B6 is vital in all metabolic activities involving protein and glycogen. Vitamin B2 or riboflavin is involved in aerobic and anaerobic activities. Vitamin B1 or thiamine is required for aerobic metabolism, and aids the release of energy from carbohydrates. That’s all the "bits and pieces" I had swimming around in other documents in my hard drive… Hope your blood work is "Tip-Top" next round! Best Wishes- Dx