Vitamins verses food

Question
Hello,  My question is since alot of the nutrients bypass you..What is sources of good nutriental food that won't bypass but stay  into system for health....I am on vitamin D 50,000 IU do to low defiency...I also take calcium and multivitamin...I know these vitamins go to your blood stream to help, but what foods will do the same without bypassing through you and give you more benefits..I am asking what foods can I eat to get nutrients that don't leave my system...Or should I take more vitamins of different kind to maintain a good healthy body...Help..Is there a book out there to help me..

Answer
Hi Terry,

Unless you are getting shots or IVs, all nutrients from vitamins or from food enter your body the same way, stay in your body the same way, and leave the body the same way.  If you have had a gastric bypass, there are nutrients that will always be malabsorbed from food or from vitamins.  If you have a deficiency, you cannot eat enough vitamin D to to make up for the low levels.

It is best to take vitamins designed for bariatric surgery patients because they will have the right levels and forms of nutrients for you.  If you cannot get bariatric vitamins, I would suggest that you ask your surgeon or dietitian specifically for what your program recommends.  

I like the book "What Can I Eat" by Arlene Swantko or "Eating Well After Gastric Bypass" by Pat Levine as good books on food after surgery.

In Health,

Dr. Jacques

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