Category: Supplements
Fluids and Electrolytes After Weight Loss Surgery
January 29, 2016 7:06 am
Fluids and Electrolytes after weight loss surgery are an important part of recovery and lifestyle after undergoing a weight loss surgical procedure. Potassium is an important electrolyte found in higher concentrations within the fluid of the cells. It is important in muscle contraction, heart rhythm, nerve function and co-enzyme function.
Fluids and Electrolytes
The following webinar (link) discusses the balance of fluids and electrolytes with particular attention to post weight loss surgery concerns. Deficiencies can cause heart arrhythmias, muscle weakness and cramping, intestinal paralysis, and neurological deficits.
The Daily Recommended Amount for Potassium is 4,700mg
Here is a list of Lower-carb potassium sources: This is not meant to be in inclusive list. There are many higher carb sources of potassium also.
- Beet Greens- 1/2C 655 mg
- Trout 3oz – 375 mg
- Salmon 719 mg per average filet
- Halibut or Yellowfin Tuna 3oz – 500mg
- Clams 3oz- 534 mg
- Avocados 1 whole- 974 mg
- Squash 1C- 325mg
- Broccoli 1 cup 475m
- Watermelon Radish 3 oz – 233mg
- Sweet Potatoes- one potato 694mg
- Yogurt 1C – 579mg
- Tomato paste 1/4C – 342 mg
- Whole milk 1C – 366 mg
- Chicken breast meat 1 cup chopped – 358 mg
- Cauliflower 1 cup raw– 303 mg
- Peanut butter 2 T – 208 mg
- Asparagus spears 6 – 194 m
- Daikon Radish – 3″ – 280 mg
- Nuts 100-300 mg per 30g / 1 oz serving, depending on the type
- Dark leafy greens 160 mg per cup of raw, 840 mg per cooked
- Kohlrabi 3oz- 98mg
- Mushrooms 1 C- 273 mg
- Spinach – 1 cup 167 mg Potassium
- Walnuts 2 oz-250 mg
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Vitamin K1
April 08, 2015 7:16 pm
Vitamin K1 is a found in dark green leafy vegetables, asparagus, brussels sprouts, some grains, olive oil, prunes, soy bean oil, and canola oil. The body has limited storage capacity for Vitamin K and uses a recycle system to reuse it.
Vitamin K1 is a fat-soluble vitamin that after Duodenal Switch is not as easily absorbed due to the limiting contact of the food product with the bile until the common channel. Bile is needed to absorb fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins.
Duodenal Switch patients in need of Vitamin K1 supplements should take “Dry” or water miscible type of Vitamin K1, such as Biotech brand. The patients laboratory studies will determine if a patient requires Vitamin K1 supplement. Duodenal Switch patients should have laboratory studies drawn and evaluated at least on a yearly basis. Vitamin K works in a delicate balance with other supplements and should be monitored by a physician, in at risk people.
Vitamin K1 is most know for it’s coagulation effect and the clotting cascade. Vitamin K1 works with calcium and proteins in order to accomplish coagulation synethesis. Care should be taken with Vitamin K supplementation and anti-coagulation (blood thinners) therapy. Please see your physician regarding any supplementation of Vitamin K and blood thinner medications.
A discovery of Vitamin K dependent proteins has led to research on Vitamin K1 in bone health. Bone matrix proteins, specifically osteocalcin, undergo gamma carboxylation with calcium much the way coagulation factors do; this process also requires Vitamin K. Osteocalcin is a Gla-protein that is regulated by Vitamin D. The calcium binding ability of osteocalcin requires several Vitamin K carboxylations to exert it’s effects on bone mineralization.
In adults, the causes of Vitamin K1 deficiency include the following :
Chronic illness
Malnutrition
Alcoholism
Multiple abdominal surgeries
Long-term parenteral nutrition
Malabsorption
Cholestatic disease
Parenchymal liver disease
Cystic fibrosis
Inflammatory bowel disease
Medications: Antibiotics (cephalosporin), cholestyramines, warfarin, salicylates, anticonvulsants, Cefamandole, cefoperazone, salicylates, hydantoins, rifampin, isoniazid, barbiturates, and certain sulfa drugs, higher Vitamin E can antagonized Vitamin K)
Massive transfusion
Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) – Severe
Chronic kidney disease/hemodialysis
Additional information: https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/vitamins/vitaminK/
Intake of Vitamin K1 and K2 and bone fracture risk
As always, discuss with your physicians and/or surgeon any changes in medications and supplements. This is not meant to be an all inclusive discussion of Vitamin K.
Telogen Effluvium: Hair Loss After WLS (Weight Loss Surgery)
September 14, 2014 12:56 pm
Telogen Effluvium is the premature pushing of the hair root into a resting state and can be chronic or acute. It is usually brought on by a shock to your body such as high fevers, childbirth, severe infections, severe chronic illness, severe psychological stress, major surgery or illnesses, over or under active thyroid gland, crash diets with inadequate protein, and a variety of medications. Most hair loss from medications, is this type of hair loss, and the related medications include retinoids, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, antidepressants, and NSAIDS (including ibuprofen). Supplements that can also cause or increase telogen effluvium are higher doses of iron and Vitamin A.
The hair begins to fall out in differing amounts and can start weeks to months after the initial shock to the body or medication initiation. The hair loss can continue up to 6 weeks and typically slows at 8 weeks after the start of the hair loss.
Weight loss surgical patients experience this due to the stress of surgery and the low protein state directly after surgery. Although there is no specific treatment for Telogen Effluvium, there are steps that can be taken to potentially slow the hair loss and help support the new hair growth.
The most important steps to take are to maintain your protein supplementation at a minimum of 80-100 grams of protein daily and hydration (at least 64 ounces daily) after weight loss surgery.
Protein, particularly L-lysine, are the building blocks of hair and nails, without adequate protein your body will forgo making hair and nails to maintain critical muscle mass. Also hydration is important to flush the body of toxins, due to fat breakdown in the liver during the rapid weight loss phase, that will prevent further new hair growth.
Vitamin B6 and B12 deficits can also contribute to hair loss. Multivitamin supplementation is essential to maintaining the required levels of these vitamins. The recommended multivitamin supplementation is two multivitamins daily that are equivalent to Centrum brand multivitamin.
Some people add Zinc supplements to increase hair production. However, if you are adding Zinc it is advised to also add a Copper supplement as they compete with each other for absorption. Copper is important for red blood cell production and a copper deficiency can exacerbate iron deficiency anemia. Inactivity can also decrease zinc levels, therefore exercise/activity will naturally maintain zinc levels.
Biotin is also a B vitamin that can be helpful in new hair growth.
Folicure is a supplement tablet that contains many vitamins and minerals that some people find helpful for hair re-growth. They also manufacture a shampoo that can be used.
There are many shampoos and topical treatments that people use and report satisfaction in their results. However, it is important to note that a topical treatment may make your hair appear thicker but the hair regrowth will only be supported by internal nutritional maintenance. Minoxidil is a liquid vasodilator medication applied to the scalp that is the exception to this rule and can help with hair regrowth. However, Minoxidil will not work to it’s optimal level in the absence of adequate nutritional status.
We always go back to our basics after weight loss surgery of hydration, protein and exercise to maintain health of body and hair.