Vitamin and Mineral Deficiency and How it Affects Your Skin

Bariatric Vitamins: Check out Your Skin

After gastric bypass surgery it is very common to have a shortage of vitamins and minerals unless you are taking the right kind of bariatric supplements. There are a lot of different ways vitamin deficiency can affect your body–your skin being one of the most obvious and sometimes most drastic.

Slow Wound Healing and Zinc

If you have any cuts or wounds, you may notice that they are healing slower than they were before bariatric surgery. This is often due to zinc deficiency. An adequate amount of zinc in your supplements should help your wounds heal more quickly.

Zinc is a mineral and has many functions.  It is present in every part of your body. Many of your digestive enzymes depend on it to be able to properly function. You’re also more prone to infection if you don’t get enough of it. Finally, your skin needs zinc in order to maintain its health.

Psoriasis, Scaliness, and Flakiness: Take your Vitamin A

Developing dry skin can be a common problem with bariatric patients. If you notice your skin having a sandpaper feel and becoming flaky you may have an insufficient amount of Vitamin A. Scaliness and psoriasis can also be aggravated because of a deficiency of biotin. Biotin and Vitamin A have been shown to significantly reduce symptoms.

Bruising and Swelling: Vitamins C and K

Perhaps you have noticed more black and blue marks on your skin. Bruises are a sign of your skin bleeding. The vitamins that help this symptom are Vitamins C and K. If your skin becomes swollen and dark you may need a supplement with Niacin.

Skin Color: Carotene, Iron, and Folic Acid

There are several symptoms that you might notice regarding the color of your skin. If your skin has a yellowish tone this may be a sign of excess carotene. Unlikely as it may sound it can also be caused by a deficiency in carotene.

If at times you have noticed a flushing of your skin you may have a need for additional Niacin. If the opposite occurs and you have paleness (or pallor) of your skin this may be caused by a lack or iron and folic acid.

Bariatric Supplements can Help Bring Your Skin Back to Life

Lucky for weight loss surgery patients (and all the rest of you) these skin problems can be improved with something as simple as taking your vitamins and supplements. Your mom probably told you, “don’t forget to take your vitamins” – and we all know mom knows best!