Bariatric Advantage Chewable Iron 60 mg.

Bariatric Advantage's Chewable Iron in 60 mg. is a first, it's the highest level one dose iron out there in chewable form that is gentle on the belly.

After weight loss surgery, we're at risk for anemia, especially us with mal-absorptive weight loss surgery procedures, and especially us girls.

From the ASMBS regarding the roux en y gastric bypass:

However, because the bypassed portion of intestine is where the majority of calcium and iron absorption takes place, anemia and osteoporosis are the most common long-term complications of the RYGBP. Therefore, lifelong mineral supplementation is mandatory. Other clinically important deficiencies that may occur include deficiencies of Vitamin B 1 (thiamine) and Vitamin B 12. Lifelong follow-up with a bariatric program and daily multi-vitamins are strongly recommended prevent nutritional complications.

(I am anemia girl, remember, it's my super-power.  Although lately my levels are "good."   Good means "low almost in the low normal range!!"  Woot.)

Ineffective iron absorption

• Malabsorption states

--Celiac disease

--Crohn's disease

--Pernicious anemia

• Gastric surgery

 

The most common types of anemia post bariatric surgery are:

• Iron deficiency anemia. This most common form of anemia affects about one in five women, half of pregnant women and 3 percent of men in the United States. The cause is a shortage of the element iron in your body. Your bone marrow needs iron to make hemoglobin. Without adequate iron, your body can't produce enough hemoglobin for red blood cells. The result is iron deficiency. anemia.

• Vitamin deficiency anemias. In addition to iron, your body needs folate and vitamin B-12 to produce sufficient numbers of healthy red blood cells. A diet lacking in these and other key nutrients can cause decreased red blood cell production. People who have an intestinal disorder that affects the absorption of nutrients are prone to this type of anemia. Some people are unable to absorb vitamin B-12 for a variety of reasons and develop vitamin B-12 deficiency anemia, which is sometimes called pernicious anemia. Vitamin deficiency anemias fall into a group of anemias called megaloblastic anemias, in which the bone marrow produces large, abnormal red blood cells.

TABLE 1 Normal Hematologic Values
Age of patient	Hemoglobin	Hematocrit (%)	MCV (µm3)
One to three days	14.5 to 22.5 g per dL (145 to 225 g per L)	45 to 67	95 to 121
Six months to two years	10.5 to 13.5 g per dL (105 to 135 g per L)	33 to 39	70 to 86
12 to 18 years (male)	13.0 to 16.0 g per dL (130 to 160 g per L)	37 to 49	78 to 98
12 to 18 years (female)	12.0 to 16.0 g per dL (120 to 160 g per L)	36 to 46	78 to 102
>18 years (male)	13.5 to 17.5 g per dL (135 to 175 g per L)	41 to 53	78 to 98
>18 years (female)	12.0 to 16.0 g per dL (120 to 160 g per L)	36 to 46	78 to 98

Many people HAVE to take iron after weight loss surgery, especially women. 

Take advice from your doctor. 

Some of us take intravenous iron therapy.  This is a lot of fun. 

Our Chewable Iron was designed to meet the iron replacement needs of patients who have undergone bariatric surgery. Our iron is in a form that is both easy to take and tastes great. Our Strawberry Flavored Iron provides 18 milligrams of elemental iron from Ferronyl®, and our 29 milligram iron is a blend of Ferronyl® and ferrous fumarate. Both contain vitamin C to optimize iron absorption and utilization. Tablets are designed to be easy on the digestive system, to support maximum absorption, and to minimize side effects like constipation. We suggest that iron supplements be taken at least two hours away from calcium supplements and dairy products. Some features and benefits of this product include:

Ferronyl® carbonyl iron. Ferronyl® carbonyl iron powder is elemental iron (Fe) with > 98% iron content. A key physical property of Ferronyl is its small particle size, which is considerably smaller than other forms of elemental iron. As a result, Ferronyl has higher human bioavailability than these other forms. The net absorption per unit dose of Ferronyl is also greater than that of any of the currently used ferrous (Fe2+) salts.

Ferrous Fumarate (Passion Fruit only). Ferrous fumarate is a well-tolerated and well-absorbed form of iron. The ferrous forms of iron are known to be among the best-absorbed of the salts. The most commonly used form, ferrous sulfate, is 20% elemental iron and is notorious for causing gastrointestinal side-effects. By contrast, ferrous fumarate is 33% elemental iron, and is much less likely to produce side effects. Absorption of ferrous fumarate is additionally enhanced by vitamin C.

Vitamin C. Vitamin C is known to enhance iron absorption. Vitamin C benefits the absorption of iron by reducing ferric iron (Fe3+) to ferrous iron (Fe2+) and forming an iron-ascorbic acid complex. A 1999 study conducted in gastric bypass patients suggested that the combination of iron with vitamin C was more effective than iron alone at restoring ferritin and hemoglobin levels in anemic patients.

Short-Chain Fructoligosaccharides. Fructoligosaccharides (FOS) have been studied for their ability to improve the uptake of select minerals (including iron, calcium and magnesium) from the colon. In animal models, use of FOS with iron has been shown to increase ferritin levels and aid in the recovery from anemia. In one study in rats who had been subjected to total gastrectomy, the combination of FOS with iron was successful in preventing the development of anemia. This strategy makes sense for individuals who have undergone weight loss surgery where there is both partial gastrectomy and short bowel to aid in the optimization of iron uptake and support the maintenance of body stores.

If we have to take something, we have to take something that we're going to ACTUALLY TAKE, right?  A supplement that sits in the bottle is no good in our VEINS.  (Says the girl intermittent long term anemia.)

Bariatric Advantage's 60 mg. Chewable Iron with Vitamin C is that - something - something you can ACTUALLY TAKE.
 

(I have had some seriously unpleasant iron products. GACK.  Some taste like BLOOD.  NothanksI'mallsetI'lltaketheanemia.  I've also had some very delicious iron products see sidebar.  Nom. Nom. Nom.  I know, iron is not supposed to be tasty, but these companies have really gotten a clue.)

The Bariatric Advantage 60 mg. Chewable Iron Supplement is a small, tablet, somewhat grey black in color, with no discernable iron smell. 

It smells slightly like citrus.  Just a tiny bit.  The color put me off, I thought it would be green, but it's iron, and iron is black.

It's quite crunchy, and breaks down smooth in your mouth, the texture is like a sweet and sour candy, and the flavor is like lemon lime soda. In fact, it tastes like SPRITE.

There's little to no iron aftertaste, I am running my tongue over my teeth waiting for it, because I am NOT A FAN of aftertaste. 

It's been a couple minutes, and I'm good with it.  I could take this.  It's better than my alternative.

Product - Bariatric Advantage 60 mg. Iron + Vitamin C
Via - Bariatric Advantage
Price - $36.95 for 90 day supply
Pros - 60 mg. iron, one dose per day
Cons - Being a woman, damn it, getting anemic IN THE FIRST PLACE.  I'm not bitter.  Just leave me be.  I'm cold, got a blanket?
Rating - Pouchworthy, MM.