What you need to know about vitamins and minerals

The digestive system in a nutshell

We eat and drink every day, from early morning to late at night. Everything you eat and drink passes through the mouth, esophagus, small intestine and large intestine to the rectum. Together they form the digestive tract. Digestion is the releasing, absorbing and converting of nutrients from food. The liver and pancreas also play an important role in this process. What your body cannot use, you defecate or pee out again. 

Vitamins and minerals are nutrients that are mainly absorbed in your intestines. They are also called micronutrients. You need them for all kinds of important processes in your body. Other nutrients are proteins (amino acids), fats and carbohydrates (starches and sugars). These so-called macronutrients are building blocks and fuels for your body. They provide energy and support your muscles, hormones, organs and blood. They are also important for your bones, hair, nails and skin. Also essential are fiber and water from food. 

Vitamins and minerals: The heroes in our body

Vitamins and minerals all do their part to keep you healthy and balanced. This includes absorbing energy from food, stimulating growth and supporting muscles, nerves and the brain. Vitamins and minerals are mainly ingested through food. They are not only found in fruits and vegetables, but also in cereals, meat, fish and chicken. If you do not eat meat or other animal products such as milk, cheese and eggs, it's even more important to check your blood values to see if you have vitamin and mineral deficiencies. 

You also need extra vitamins and minerals after weight loss surgery. Because of the surgery your digestive system has changed. You can only eat small portions and sometimes you can no longer tolerate all foods. As a result you don't get enough vitamins and minerals. After a stomach reduction you also absorb fewer nutrients from food. 

Prevent vitamin and mineral deficiencies

If you feel good and energetic and you eat enough fruits and vegetables, you may not necessarily consider taking extra vitamins and minerals. Yet you may still be deficient. Especially after weight loss surgery, a vitamin and mineral deficiency is common. Prevention is better than cure. Take the right multivitamins preventively and keep using them for the rest of your life. This way you support your health. Not just today, but for a life time.

How many vitamins and minerals do you need?

The Health Council has calculated for almost all vitamins and minerals how much you need per day. This is called the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA). But this advice is general and therefore does not apply for you if you have had weight loss surgery.

Also, more vitamins and minerals are not always better. Overdosing can even be harmful and dangerous and cause poisoning. This can cause headaches, fatigue, nausea, dizziness and abnormalities of the eyes, skin and bones. What does matter is the right ratio and dosage of vitamins and minerals tailored to your needs. 

What happens if you don't get enough vitamins and minerals?

If you lack important vitamins and minerals then deficiencies occur. Because of a deficiency, your body cannot function optimally. A deficiency causes all kinds of symptoms. From fatigue and low energy to being irritable and skin or hair problems. In the long term, deficiencies can even cause permanent damage to your nervous system and immune system. 

A deficiency is not always immediately noticeable and is often difficult to recognize. Deficiencies occur mainly when your intake of vitamins and minerals is insufficient over a long period of time. The longer it lasts, the more difficult it becomes to make up the deficiency and to repair the damage. Because vitamins and minerals work closely together, you usually don't need just one extra vitamin or mineral. That's why a WLS Multivitamin is essential.

Multivitamins from FitForMe

Our multivitamins contain the vitamins and minerals you need after your type of surgery. This way you get just the right amount and ratio to stay healthy. Which is convenient, so you don't have to worry about that.

Find out which multivitamin is right for you here. Read more about the different surgeries or check out one of our other products to support your needs or symptoms.