Vitamin D Deficiency a Concern Following Weight Loss Surgery

Vitamin D plays an important role in bone and muscle health, immune system function, and lung and heart health.

People get vitamin D from the sun and from food they eat. But, after weight loss surgery, your body might not absorb vitamins the way it once did. You also will be eating less food and have less opportunity to get vitamin D from the food you eat. 

Without enough vitamin D, according the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the body has a difficult time absorbing enough calcium.

In turn, a lack of calcium leads to the weakening and softening of the bones, according to the NIH. This can lead adults to suffer from osteomalacia, also known as rickets, which causes bone pain and muscle weakness.

The bone pain from osteomalacia is often worst in the hips and is accompanied by loss of bone mass. Weak, soft bones can then lead to increased risk of fractures, even from doing day-to-day activities, according to the NIH.

The bone pain and risk of injury can get in the way of a person being as physically active as they need to be after weight loss surgery, according to the NIH. If bone pain is becoming an issue, talk to your doctor right away.

The best way to check your vitamin D level is to have blood work done, according to the NIH.

One way to get more vitamin D is to seek out foods and drinks that are fortified with vitamin D, according to the NIH. Many foods, including cereals, orange juice, yogurt, margarine, and soy beverages have vitamin D added to them.

You can also talk to your doctor about recommending a vitamin D supplement. Doctors sometimes recommend taking a supplement with a vitamin D level higher than your recommended daily value to help bring your vitamin D up to a healthy level.

For more information about the importance of vitamin D after weight loss surgery, talk with your doctor or visit Premier Weight Loss Solutions.