The Vitamin Adventure

Sheila H.
on 4/26/18 7:40 am
RNY on 05/21/18

Hi! I see a lot of talk about vitamins but never have seen this one mentioned and it didn't come up when i searched, so I thought I'd share. These are the iron free version - I haven't started them yet, but they look ever-so-promising - have you used them? (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XS5JCD7/ref=oh_aui_deta ilpage_o02_s03?ie=UTF8&psc=1):

  1. They are inexpensive ($20/for 30)
  2. You can get them on Amazon
  3. You only need ONE a day!!

The bolded ones are the ASMBS Recommendations (thanks to Sparklekitty for her amazing spreadsheet! I'm copying this comment in her thread too!) - and these meet or exceed those recommendations except for Calcium - and I was going to do the chews for that anyway. There are TWO versions that have different dosages of iron!

ProCare Health Bariatric MultiVitamin IRON FREE
Name 1 multi
A 10,000 I.U.
B1 (Thiamin) 20 mg
B12 1,000 mcg
B2 12 mg
B6 12 mg
Biotin 600 mcg
C 130 mg
Calcium
Chromium 100 mcg
Copper 2 mg
D3 3,000 I.U.
E 60 I.U.
Folic acid 800 mcg
Iron
K 120mcg
Magnesium 100 mg
Manganese 2 mg
Niacin 40 mg
Pantothenic Acid 20 mg
Selenium 100 mg
Zinc 15 mg
H.A.L.A B.
on 4/26/18 1:19 pm

Well... A lot of times when it looks too good to be true - it probably is.

Plus $20 for 30 pills is expensive imo.

For me it would have too much B6. B6 when taken too much can become toxic. If you use that vitamins - make sure to test B6 level. High B6 can cause nerve damage.

I use a store brand multi equivalent to centrum silver. Much cheaper.

Hala. RNY 5/14/2008; Happy At Goal =HAG

"I can eat or do anything I want to - as long as I am willing to deal with the consequences"

"Failure is not falling down, It is not getting up once you fell... So pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again...."

Sheila H.
on 4/26/18 2:08 pm
RNY on 05/21/18

Well, for ME, if it were too good to be true, I would only need to take it once a month, it would taste like chocolate and it would tell me I'm pretty I need to look at pricing. I've been getting my vitamins from metagenics (working with nutritionist since I lost my last lap band) and I literally spend $185 every 2 months - so, $20/month to me seemed like a screamin' deal! I'm glad I posted - I should look around at pricing more. I just got stoked because I found something complete and my bariatric nutritionist said they were good.

I'm curious though, all of my research indicated that around 100mg of B6 a day is just fine. There have been instances of toxicity issues at doses of 500mg daily. Other symptoms associated with high levels of B6 are skin rashes, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, increased liver function tests, sensitivity to sunlight. Nerve damage or numbness and tingling of the feet, legs and hand, if left untreated, can become irreversible, so this is good to know. However, this only has 12mg of B6. Why is that worrisome?

Thanks for all your help and input! I do appreciate it!

Sheila

Sparklekitty, Science-Loving Derby Hag
on 4/26/18 2:25 pm
RNY on 08/05/19

Honestly, you can go to Walgreen's for your vitamins. Find the generic version of Centrum silver, it's $10 for a bottle of 365 pills and there are often BOGO free deals. Even if you're taking two pills a day, it's MUCH cheaper than what you're doing now!

Sparklekitty / Julie / Nerdy Little Secret (#42)
Roller derby - cycling - triathlon
VSG 2013, RNY conversion 2019 due to GERD. Trendweight here!

Sheila H.
on 4/26/18 2:33 pm
RNY on 05/21/18

So...um... yeah. I may have already bought 3 months of the "other" vitamins... :-) Now, I'm not saying I DID, but IF I did, I will investigate the Centrum silver version for SURE when I run out! Seems like a fine option!

I feel a little silly now. But alas, I am learning. :-)

H.A.L.A B.
on 4/27/18 7:54 am

Don't feel bad. We all been there. For a long time I had to use chewables, because I hated the big pills. Even now - I have to break it in half.

As for B6 - some people don't clear that were well. Mine don't.

Is the % of daily dosage that makes me worry about long term use. Day after day after day....

Plus as I discovered (after my B6 was 3x normal) than I was getting B6 in my vitamin water, my protein shakes, and that my calcium had B6. So I was getting way too much % wise. After app 2-3 years of not paying attention to what I was getting daily - (never close to 500 per day) my levels were way too high. It took 2-3 years for them to get to normal.

Hala. RNY 5/14/2008; Happy At Goal =HAG

"I can eat or do anything I want to - as long as I am willing to deal with the consequences"

"Failure is not falling down, It is not getting up once you fell... So pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over again...."

Sheila H.
on 4/27/18 8:06 am
RNY on 05/21/18

Good to know! You and sparklekitty are absolutely right and are making me think about things differently. Most people take additional supplements besides the multi AND there's food! DUH!!! We get SOMEthing from food! LOL! I'm looking to get it all in a pill and that's just plumb silly.

Thanks SO MUCH for your input. I think I got this now. When I finish up these ones, which will probably be good since I won't be getting much in food-wise at first, I'll look at different options.

Thanks! You have been a wonderful help!

Sheila H.
on 4/26/18 6:02 pm
RNY on 05/21/18

I took a look at the supplement facts, and even these are short in some of the essential nutrients that you outline on your spreadsheet. Am I being too anal? Like I mentioned, I just really want to be sure I don't have vitamin deficiency issues. I know you know your stuff... that's why I'm askin' :-)

Your Spreadsheet:

ASMBS Recommendations
Name RNY amount
A 500 - 10000 IU
B1 (Thiamin) 1.2 mg
B12 300 - 500 mcg
Calcium 1200 - 1500mg
D 3000 IU
Folic acid 400 - 800 mcg
Iron 40 - 60mg elemental iron
K 90 - 120 mcg
Zinc 8 - 22 mg
Sparklekitty, Science-Loving Derby Hag
on 4/26/18 7:42 pm, edited 4/26/18 12:43 pm
RNY on 08/05/19

I use the 50+, they seem to have more stuff in them.

https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/walgreens-adult-50%2b-mult ivitamin/ID=prod6358140-product

For a double dose:

  • Vitamin A: 5000 IU
  • B1: 3mg
  • B12: 50 mcg
  • Calcium: 440mg
  • Vitamin D: 2000 IU
  • Folic acid: 800mcg
  • Iron: none
  • Vitamin K: 60 mcg*
  • Zinc: 22mg

Separate supplements for iron and calcium are pretty much a given, and the ASMBS says this elsewhere. It's not uncommon to add B12 as well, you can get a large bottle that will last you a long time. Most calcium supplements include D3, so that will get you to the recommended level. I take these:

The only thing it will then leave you short on is Vitamin K. But this one is obtained from meat, cheese, and eggs, and there's no shortage of that in the post-op diet!

Sparklekitty / Julie / Nerdy Little Secret (#42)
Roller derby - cycling - triathlon
VSG 2013, RNY conversion 2019 due to GERD. Trendweight here!

Sheila H.
on 4/27/18 5:55 am
RNY on 05/21/18

AMAZING information! Thank you! I am def bookmarking this conversation - this is so helpful. YOU. ARE. AMAZING :-)

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