Health & Wellness Magazine Live + Thrive Magazine - Summer 2018 | Page 31

There are some supplements that
are almost universally
recommended even without a
blood test. So what essential
supplements should you be taking?
• A multivitamin
• Vitamin D—2000 IUs per day
If lab values show a
deficiency, you may need to
have a shorter period of a
higher dosage to reach
maintenance levels.
• Calcium—1200 mg a day
• A B- complex, with special
attention paid to B12
• An iron supplement
As with any dietary or exercise program,
it is essential that you follow your
primary care doctor’s or bariatrician’s
orders and recommendations as well.
Some of these vitamins are not going to
show up on normal lab work that you
get with your primary care physician,
so it would be a good idea to request
them. If you notice any issues, you can
correct course and increase the
frequency of bloodwork until you reach
a baseline level again.
Over-the-counter supplements are fine.
There is no need to get a prescription-
level supplement pack. Expect to be on
most of these supplements for life.
Individuals who have had lap band
surgery or sleeves may be able to skate
by without supplementing if their diet is
healthy and they are eating the right
foods, but it is often better to be safe
than sorry.
Have you had bariatric surgery? Are
you
experiencing
any
unusual
symptoms in your day-to-day life? It
may be a deficiency that you simply
don’t know about. Again, your body
isn’t going to be absorbing everything
the way that it used to. Compounding
the issue, typical blood tests usually
don’t include information about the
vitamins and minerals that you may be
deficient in. Take your health into your
own hands. Request the right panels on
your blood tests, take a good look at
your symptoms (or lack thereof), and
take the simple steps of beginning a
supplement regime.
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