A new study was recently released on the hot topic of vitamin patches.

Transdermal Multivitamin Patch Effective in Gastric Bypass Patients?

Conclusion: Multivitamin patch users are more likely to have vitamin D deficiency and lower serum concentration of various vitamins and minerals. Future large studies are needed on the efficacy of multivitamin patches before they can be recommended to bariatric patient population.

You can view the details on this study here.

What are your thoughts on this topic?

Should the BariatricPal Store stop carrying vitamin patches or should we inform consumers about the study and let them make their own educated decision?

In the interim, we've updated each store listing to include this warning: Please Note: Nutritional patches are a new technology. As with any nutritional supplements, consumers should use nutrition patches according to their healthcare providers' recommendations and regularly monitor nutrient levels through lab work as they would when taking any dietary supplements. According to a recent study, large studies are needed on the efficacy of multivitamin patches before they can be recommended to the bariatric patient population.

@Alex Brecher I think having a warning and link to the study in a prominent place is perfect. There are so many people who are not able to get their vits/mins in any other way. And I think the fact that BP offers SO many variables for supplementation makes you the perfect guide for post op nutrition care. I love that y'all offer:

The Patch

Tespo

Your BP 1-a-Day Multi

Celebrate

BariMelts/BariFusion ALL. THE. BARIS.

(I wish you would start carrying Feosol-Bifera Iron (HIP & PIC Iron) ) Why? Cuz I'm selfish that way. Here's the link to it: https://www.feosol.com/en/save-big-with-coupons?gclid=CjwKCAjw-vjqBRA6EiwAe8TCk3jfW3ybzz77caRO407SjuILNYPPI0tWyudA-cYOGWpe6EC9ahHujBoCbJIQAvD_BwE

I reached out to Feosol ages ago and they only deal with large distributors.

2 minutes ago, Alex Brecher said:

I reached out to Feosol ages ago and they only deal with large distributors.

Awww! Booo on them! TY so much for letting me know! I wish I could take another type of iron that is as well absorbed. I'm not averse to switching!

My bariatric surgeon said that the patches are completely ineffective and to never use them - that the vitamins aren't absorbed properly (at insufficient levels, like this states). Maybe a large warning and link to the study?

Edited August 22, 20196 yr by mousecat88

To Fluffy Chix. Unfortunately, no iron supplement has an absorption that comes close to meat iron. Of the iron supplements out there, I like Ferrochel (sometimes called Gentle Iron or ferrous bisglycinate). It's sold at some Kroger stores. It tends to be easier on the digestive system than most iron supplements. Also, it has been found to work a little faster than ferrous sulfate in some studies. One of these studies is mine, though it was in women runners, not in people who have had bariatric surgery. Ferrochel cannot be put in protein shakes because it tastes awful, but is OK in capsules. I used a relative of Ferrochel in a study on people who just had bariatric surgery. This relative is NOT well absorbed by itself, but it worked well when I mixed it with some other things. It worked fine even when calcium was taken at the same time. Shortly, I will have a meal replacement line out that includes this iron.

Dr Robert DiSilvestro, Ph.D. Biochemistry, Professor Emeritus Human Nutrition, Ohio State University

14 minutes ago, disilvestro.1 said:

To Fluffy Chix. Unfortunately, no Iron supplement has an absorption that comes close to meat iron. Of the iron supplements out there, I like Ferrochel (sometimes called Gentle Iron or ferrous bisglycinate). It's sold at some Kroger stores. It tends to be easier on the digestive system than most iron supplements. Also, it has been found to work a little faster than ferrous sulfate in some studies. One of these studies is mine, though it was in women runners, not in people who have had bariatric surgery. Ferrochel cannot be put in Protein Shakes because it tastes awful, but is OK in capsules. I used a relative of Ferrochel in a study on people who just had bariatric surgery. This relative is NOT well absorbed by itself, but it worked well when I mixed it with some other things. It worked fine even when Calcium was taken at the same time. Shortly, I will have a Meal Replacement line out that includes this iron.

Dr Robert DiSilvestro, Ph.D. Biochemistry, Professor Emeritus Human Nutrition, Ohio State University

Wow! Thanks so much for reaching out and updating/educating me!!! You should totally make an iron supp with your formulation. I would totally be on board to buy it! I'd be on board to do the meal replacement as long as it doesn't stain my teeth or contain soy!! I love Celebrate Iron Chewables (the chalky not the soft chews) in tangerine, but they turn my tongue black and stain my teeth.

Can you tell me, does eating chicken livers, calf liver, liverwurst help our iron absorption at all, or would we have to eat such a significant quantity of it daily to affect changes?

There are pros and cons to eating liver. However, even 1 oz would add about 3.5 mg of relatively well absorbed iron. Meat also helps with absorption of iron from other foods or supplements. In one study, 2.6 ounces of meat more than doubled iron absorption from some other foods. Also, as far as my product line, I have been trying to make it for years. It should get made in the next 2 weeks, but it may not be released immediately. Since this production will be the first scaled up batches, some testing and tweaking might be needed by the manufacturer.

1 minute ago, disilvestro.1 said:

There are pros and cons to eating liver. However, even 1 oz would add about 3.5 mg of relatively well absorbed Iron. meat also helps with absorption of iron from other foods or supplements. In one study, 2.6 ounces of meat more than doubled iron absorption from some other foods. Also, as far as my product line, I have been trying to make it for years. It should get made in the next 2 weeks, but it may not be released immediately. Since this production will be the first scaled up batches, some testing and tweaking might be needed by the manufacturer.

How cool!! I'll beta test it. Thanks for the tip about iron absorption! Does it need to be red meat? And does it matter if a tiny bit of cheese is consumed in the meal? Think about 5-14g of cheese on a salad as part of the salad matrix?

The cheese is OK. Red meat may work best, but in one study, chicken worked pretty well.

Thank you for this! I was going to ask if anyone used those the first month or so post op