B12 is an essential B Vitamin that plays a role in the entire nervous system, promotes energy metabolism and supports healthy heart function. B12 is a key contributor to the body's proper use of iron. B12 becomes increasingly important with age with risk of decreased absorption which can lead to deficiencies in both B12 and Folic Acid.
The ASMBS (2010) explains that after gastric bypass surgery vitamin B12 deficiency may result in consequence of food no longer coming in contact with gastric intrinsic factor. Vitamin D and calcium absorption may also be reduced since the duodenum and proximal jejunum, which are the preferential sites of absorption, are bypassed by this procedure. Also, life long supplements of multivitamins, vitamin B12 iron and calcium are mandatory following this procedure.
I'm not a professional, I'm just a patient, but I understand it as this: The biggest problem is that gastric bypass patients no longer have the abilty to absorb the B12 from food due to the lack of acid in the new stomach pouch. Our bodies have some B12 stored away, but it can run out and leave us with a deficiency.
B12 deficiency can cause pernicious anemia. You don't want this, the effects of pernicious anemia can be life-long if you do not catch it in time.
You need to take your B12. Surgeons and nutritionists often recommend a sublingual B12 product, because it's one of the best ways to get the vitamin into your system, and sometimes post-ops need injections of B12 if the oral route is not sufficient.
B12 is also known to give you energy -- it's found in energy drinks and other products to help give you a BOOST. Or wings?
Wellesse's Sublingual B-12 comes in a 2 ounce bottle, with 60 doses of 1000 mcgs of B-12, or 16,667% of the good stuff. The extra 16,567% is for good measure.
The product label -
I shook up the bottle, peeled off the outerwrapping, and sucked out a dose of the B12 with the attached dropper. For the purposes of the review, I played with the product first, because that's what I do. I sniff, play and take photos. The liquid is bright red, clear and has a touch of thickness to it. While the cover was off, I sniffed the product, which smells like a berry based fruit punch.
Perfect. Unless you do what I just did to it. "Mama, can I paint wis your vitamins now?"
Product - Wellesse B-12 Fast Absorbing Sublingual Liquid
Pros - So. easy. to. take. The taste is magic. Minty-fresh. Mr. MM says "They're like those after dinner mints use you'd get at the restaurant, you know, those ones in baby colors?" I say, no. They're a little pepperminty-er than THAT and not as sweet, of course, there is no sugar in them.
Cons -
Info from Bariatric Advantage - Deficiencies of B12 and folate have been demonstrated with virtually all bariatric surgery procedures. Our B12 was designed to meet the vitamin B12 needs of individuals who have undergone weight loss surgery. Each tablet provides 1000 micrograms of B12. This product is a 100 percent lactose-free formula that can be placed under the tongue or between cheek and gum and allowed to dissolve over a period of several minutes. This tablet also contains 200mcg of folic acid. B12 with Folic Acid. Vitamin B12 and folic acid are synergistic nutrients in the body, supporting many of each other’s functions. The 200 mcg of folic acid in this tablet also means that patients who are or wish to become pregnant can get a full milligram (1000 mcg) of folic acid when they take this product together with any of our multivitamins.
100 Percent Lactose Free. Some percentage of patients who have undergone weight loss surgery such as gastric bypass or duodenal switch develop lactose intolerance. Others have heard about this potential problem and avoid lactose-containing foods and products without a confirmed problem. The vast majority of B12 products contain lactose for one of two reasons: 1) the tablet itself contains lactose or 2) the B12 is titrated in lactose. The latter may not show in the ingredient listing, and may cause symptoms for unidentifiable reasons. Our B12 is 100 percent lactose free. There is no lactose in the base and the B12 ingredient is titrated in calcium. Thus, this is the best choice formula for those who may need to avoid lactose.
Great Taste. We consistently get feedback from customers on the great taste of our products, especially our B12. Great taste fosters compliance, and makes the process of taking daily vitamins more pleasant for patients.
Rating - Wicked (deal with it, I'm in Massachusetts
Many post weight loss surgical patients deal with blood sugar fluctuations, particularly those of us whom have had roux en y gastric bypass. Aside from dumping, we often have a blood sugar reaction after dumping -- and sometimes without -- called reactive hypoglycemia.
Nutrition for Reactive Hypoglycemia -
Reactive hypoglycemia can occur when blood glucose falls, stores of glucose from the liver are exhausted and an individual chooses not to eat. The body gradually adjusts to this situation by using muscle protein to feed glucose to brain cells and fat to fuel the other body cells, but before this adjustment takes place, an individual may experience symptoms of glucose deprivation to the brain. Symptoms such as: anxiety, hunger, dizziness, confusion, sleepiness, weakness, shaking muscles and racing heart may result. Most of these symptoms diminish five to ten minutes after eating a source of carbohydrate. Because these symptoms are common to many conditions, a health care provider should be consulted to assess an individual’s specific symptoms and concerns.
Reactive hypoglycemia occurs in about 2-3 out of every 10 young women - more often in obese women and less often in people over age 45. While most people experience low blood glucose levels at times, if the symptoms are severe or ongoing it is important to learn to eat a balanced meal or snack promptly. Reactive hypoglycemia does not lead to more severe conditions.
How can I control reactive hypoglycemia?
Reactive hypoglycemia can be managed with:
Nutritionally balanced meals
Frequent meals and snacks
Regular exercise
Smoking cessation
Weight management
Medical supervision, if indicated
Regular blood sugar checks, if advised
How can reactive hypoglycemia be controlled with nutritionally balanced meals?
When blood glucose falls, eating carbohydrate foods can bring blood glucose levels back up; a meal or a snack must be eaten. Some people believe the obvious solution is to eat a candy bar or drink a cola beverage. Such a meal or snack is very high in carbohydrate, and consists mostly of simple sugar. It may cause your blood level to rise quickly and then fall quickly. Some people then experience the symptoms of rebound hypoglycemia.
A more helpful choice is to eat food with complex carbohydrates (higher fiber whole grain crackers, bagels, breads or cereal). Complex carbohydrate foods deliver glucose over a longer period of time, eliciting less of a rise and fall in blood glucose. A cracker or other grain food with cheese or another protein/fat is the best choice. The protein/fat slows down the digestion of the carbohydrate and keeps blood sugar more stable.
Some snack and meal suggestions that meet the goal of including a complex carbohydrate, a protein source or a fat include:
Meat or cheese sandwich on whole wheat bread
Yogurt and fruit
Cottage cheese and whole grain crackers
Turkey, cheese slices and veggies on a salad
Salad with beans or nuts added
Peanut butter and whole grain crackers
Cheese and whole grain crackers
Bean soup and whole grain crackers or bread
Cheese on baked potato with skin
Whole grain bagel and cream cheese
Nutrition tips to manage hypoglycemia
Eat a small meal or snack about every 2-3 hours. Skipping meals can make symptoms worse.
Choose high fiber foods at each meal and snack. Fiber helps stabilize blood sugar. Increase fluid intake when you increase fiber intake.
Eat a source of protein and or a source of fat with carbohydrate at each meal or snack. Protein and fat eaten with carbohydrates will help slow glucose release and absorption.
Limit simple sugars. (candy, soda, fruit juice, sweets). Simple sugar intake can make hypoglycemia symptoms worse. Moderate your intake.
Limit alcohol and caffeine (coffee, tea, soda, chocolate).
Eat a meal or snack 1-3 hours before exercise. Extra carbohydrates may be needed before exercise to compensate for energy used.
I'm in that precarious spot that I seem to find in the winter.
Hibernation mode. (It happens.)
I have gained a few pounds -- about 5-7 lbs -- which triggers my internal post WLS alarm that SCREAMS "CUT IT OUT! You know better, woman!" Weight gain sparks me to pay attention to what I am doing each day.
What have I DONE to cause this? What has slipped into my routine that wasn't there before?
It's pretty clear this time, but I refuse to allow it to get out of control. (That is another post.)
What do I DO about it? OMG! SCREAM?! Freak out on Facebook!? No. For me, cutting back a little is easy-peasy. I may replace a few excess calories with protein shakes -- for one thing. (See also: biting off my husband's head for the baking of the sweet-carbs!)
Today I cracked open a container of Bariatric Advantage's High Protein Meal Replacement in Chicken Broth flavor.
WAIT. KEEP READING. Don't you go clicking away 'cause you done think hot protein is ewwyucky! You might have had a Bad Experience With Another Savory Protein Brand, but hear me out.
It's good. Really.
I opened the container, assuming I'd be too distracted with the protein smell to go ahead with the taste-test, but that didn't happen. Score one. The protein powder is a very light yellow color with specks of what appears to be the tiniest herbs you have ever seen. It smells like chicken boullion powder or cubes, and a bit of whey protein. My nose was not offended, I carried on.
I added two scoops of the powder for 150 calories and 27 grams of protein, to a BlenderBottle near-filled with water warmed in the microwave.
I allowed the water to cool just slightly -- in case of protein malfunction. The water was nice and warm when I added the protein and BlenderBall. I shook it very, very well. Again, a reason to NOT OVERHEAT YOUR WATER OR YOUR PROTEIN.
What resulted was a slightly creamy chicken protein soup. Due to the fact that it's a protein replacement -- it's not entirely clear like typical chicken BROTH. It tastes just the same: creamy chicken boullion. There is zero aftertaste of protein, and I am very pleased.
To be honest - however - I had prepared a little bit of chicken boullion to ADD to this protein replacement JUST IN CASE I did not enjoy it. (Because, I haven't always had a good experience with savory proteins -- and I do not like to waste.)
I added a touch of the broth after a few sips, and it was A FREAKING AMAZING with it. That said, I am a salt-fiend. I adore the creamy, buttery flavor of a boullion cube, and that mixed with the protein, kicks arse.
I love you chicken high protein meal replacement.
The details -- you get 27 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber in one two-scoop serving of this meal replacement:
BA-
High Protein Meal Replacement soup comes in a 21 serving tub with a measured scoop to make accurate dispensing easy. Each 150 calorie serving provides a full 27 grams of protein, with only 7 grams of carbohydrate (of which 4 grams are fiber, and less than a gram is sugar) and 1.5 grams of fat. One hundred percent of the protein is from a high quality whey protein isolate (There is no soy protein, only a small amount of soy lecithin to mask aftertaste). Fortified with between 15 and 50 percent of the DV for 23 essential vitamins and minerals, this comforting soup makes a perfect meal replacement for those seeking to control calories.
They're right. It's good. It's good for us.
I would certainly give it a try if you're seeking a savory option to your sweet or fruity shakes. This product is perfect for pre-operative eating plans, and early post op. It's way better than a can of cream of chicken soup.
Price - $2.85 per serving
Pros - 27 grams of protein, 150 calories, 5 grams of fiber... in a comforting, savory broth blend.
Brands, congrats! Your products really influence the community, I am really surprised at the excitement behind the choices here. I hope to see MORE of what you offer on this list next year. I know there's quite a lot that folks just haven't TRIED yet.
Winners, congrats! I don't have anything to offer you in return, than my undying affection, almost. You may not want that. Keep on doing what you do, then. Bring it in 2011. (MAKING THE LIST NOW! 12/22/2011)
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