Be One That Takes your (Vitamin) B-1
By Carol A. Ruspantini, MSPA, PA-C, RD, LDN
St. Luke’s Bariatric Physician Assistant
Did you know that Vitamin B-1, (also known at Thiamine) is
important for nerve health? It is also important to get enough
thiamine daily to help the body use carbohydrates, proteins and fats
from your diet.
After gastric surgeries, your body does not absorb as much of the
B-vitamin, so it is important to get extra by taking your vitamin and
mineral supplements on a daily basis. If you have had your surgery
within the year, it is important to take either BARIATRIC vitamins
OR 2 adult chewable multivitamin-minerals to get the needed
thiamine daily. Gummy vitamins DO NOT contain adequate B-vitamins which can place
you at risk for a number of vitamin B-vitamin deficiencies. (Deficiency means not
enough). After one year, one adult multivitamin/mineral supplement may be enough to
supplement your diet for Thiamine. Remember, though, you need other supplements
too-such as vitamin D and calcium and vitamin B-12 to make sure you are getting all the
supplements your body needs. Your levels will be checked routinely through blood
work to make sure you are getting enough.
Thiamine (vitamin B-1) is found in foods like pork, lean meats, poultry, egg yolks, wheat
germ, dried peas and beans (legumes) and in enriched grain products. Alcohol intakes
can decrease your thiamine levels.
Over time, if you do not get enough in your diet and supplements, it can contribute to
symptoms such as a loss of appetite, fatigue, loss of interest in every-day activities,
irritability and depression. Other symptoms from not getting enough thiamine can be a
sensation of heaviness in the legs, numbness, or “pins and needles” feeling, deep
muscle pain, headaches, memory problems, confusion and difficulty walking.
It is important to take ALL your vitamin and mineral supplements as instructed to avoid
problems with low levels. It is also important to keep your routine appointments with our
office to monitor all your vitamin and mineral levels to stay healthy with your new lifestyle. If you have any symptoms, you should let us know right away. So Be One that
takes your (Vitamin) B-1!
“Be One That Takes your (Vitamin) B-1”
By Carol A. Ruspantini, MSPA, PA-C, RD, LDN
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