Nutritional Supplements + Surgery = ?OK?

Wow, the weeks fly by (in between blog postings!) as I continue on with my studies---All is well---just limited time and so much to learn! :) My goal in posting blogs like this is to potentially stretch your current knowledge in specific areas related to health. I encourage you to learn as much as you can, as you continue to ‘Take Ownership of your Health.’ Let’s get started…

The Question of the Day: How do surgery, pre & post-op recovery and nutritional supplements fit together? This is definitely becoming an ‘FAQ’ (frequently asked question) in my conversations –– and rightly so! As more and more of us are learning about the powerful benefits of basic nutritional supplementation when we’re (fairly) healthy, wouldn’t it make sense to maintain those benefits when our bodies are under even greater stress as during times of surgery and recovery?
Things that make you go ‘Hmmm…..’

Some examples of what can occur in the body during and after surgery: Vitamin B12 deficiency from anesthesia---reduced oxygen to cells & decreased blood flow from blood loss (both causing an increase in free radicals)---a profound suppression of the immune system from surgery and anesthesia---liver stress from anesthetic agents and medications---magnesium depletion from steroids and diuretics---impaired wound healing from vitamin C & zinc depletion and low protein intake. These are just a few examples…to emphasize the importance of appropriate nutritional supplementation during this critical time in anyone’s life. Just the trauma of surgery increases the body’s metabolic rate, which increases the production of free radicals-->not a good thing!
(Learn more about free radicals & antioxidants in my 4/26 blog entry).

Next Question: What is a person to do…if a health care provider instructs patients to avoid all vitamins, minerals and other nutritional supplements for several weeks before and after surgery? How about asking the health care provider for the ‘why’ behind their instructions…and the ‘reference’ where a person could access the studies/research their instructions are based on. If these two requests aren’t met with satisfaction, how about pursuing additional, evidence-based advice? “Because I said so” or “That’s just how it is” are NOT acceptable answers.

The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of a nutrient does NOT apply to surgical patients or those with significant injuries since the stress of the situation dramatically increases nutritional needs. RDA’s were developed to provide healthy individuals with adequate nutrient intake to avoid diseases of deficiency, like rickets and scurvy (not to promote optimal health).

According to Dr. Eldon Haas in his textbook, Staying Healthy with Nutrition, ‘Vitamins A & C and the mineral zinc help tissue repair after surgery and lessen chance of infection.’ What a simple step to take to increase your healing ‘odds.’ Dr. Haas thoroughly covers nutrients that can be of benefit before and after surgery. Quick examples: B vitamins (especially B2-riboflavin) help with tissue repair…Magnesium activates multiple enzymes that promote the healing process.

Dr. Russell Blaylock (in Health and Nutrition Secrets That Can Save Your Life) refers to several studies which report that maintaining adequate levels of the mineral magnesium in the body tissues can reduce the risk of pulmonary embolism after surgery. Studies abound… revealing the benefits of nutritional supplementation before, during and after all types of surgery. Another example: Using a combination of flavonoids (antioxidants), magnesium, selenium, zinc and the antioxidant vitamins helps protect the brain during and after neurosurgery. Sounds like that would be a good idea…

In case you’re remembering past media reports pertaining to studies investigating the use of specific vitamins, antioxidants, etc. and finding them ineffective or even harmful, realize that those studies used single vitamins…single antioxidants, not vitamins and antioxidants found in ‘real food’ or in whole food supplements. Honestly, I’ve noticed multiple news stories recently about elevated infection rates in hospitals…making this information even that much more important!

Thanks for reading--I look forward to your comments and questions. :)
Blessings of wellness to you...
Sana

The Vitamin/Mineral BALANCING Act

Who would have thought there would be enough information on just Vitamin A....or just Vitamin B1 (thiamin) to fill a textbook with 8 pages of information (no pictures, 8.5x11" pages, small print)--I sure didn't before I opened my current textbook on nutrition (Staying Healthy with Nutrition)!

I listed some examples below to emphasize the importance of BALANCE in our nutrition. Grabbing a specific vitamin or mineral (that you just read about in your favorite magazine) off the shelf of your nearest drug store is not in your best interest! The 'nutrition bytes' below are NOT meant to drive you crazy & throw up your hands in frustration---they are there just to make my point that BALANCE in nutrition (as in just about everything else) is one of the major keys to health.

This info was taken from my recent notes from a class I'm in. Be happy knowing that you can just read through them if you like & that you don't have to commit them to memory (like I'm doing---I hope my brain has enough 'file space!'). Did you know there was a 'Vitamin P'? :o) Read on!

*An excessive intake of iron can block the absorption of Vitamin A.
*Protein & zinc are needed in adequate quantities in order for Vitamin A to function as it should in our bodies.
*Taking more than 2000 mg of Vitamin C per day increases your need for folic acid.
*The average American's diet is deficient in Vitamin A.
*Along with Vitamin D, Vitamins A & C help support the transport of calcium in our bodies.
*Vitamin D & Calcium can help minimize menopausal symptoms.
*Large amounts of calcium can decrease the absorption of magnesium, zinc & phosphorus.
*Calcium in our diet improves the absorption of Vitamin B12---but too much calcium can interfere with the absorption of magnesium, zinc & iron.
*Protein intake helps with the absorption of calcium---yet too much protein may reduce absorption.
*Low magnesium can contribute to high blood pressure and has been linked to heart attacks.
*High amounts of calcium & Vitamin D in the presence of magnesium deficiency can lead to calcification of the soft tissues or kidney stone formation.
*Vitamin D is best utilized in the presence of Vitamin A.
*A high intake of Vitamin E or Calcium may decrease Vitamin K absorption.
*Vitamin B1 (thiamin) deficiency is still fairly common today with symptoms of fatigue, poor memory, depression, insomnia, GI disturbances (to name a few).
*Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is claimed by several authorities to be the most common nutrient deficiency in the US.
*High-dose B3 (niacin) can cause elevated homocysteine levels in the body (not good--cardiac implications!)
*Adequate magnesium in our bodies is necessary for Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) function
*Vitamin P (bioflavanoids) is found naturally with Vitamin C. That's why natural forms of vitamin C are so much more effective than synthetic forms of Vitamin C in similar amounts.

Sorry, I got carried away---Enough already! I think you get my point. As you can see above, just adding a lone vitamin or mineral to your daily routine will probably NOT provide you with the benefit you're hoping for--and may lead to other problems. A better idea: Look for a high quality multivitamin with a balanced formula (not a standard 100% RDA of each of the vitamins/minerals), organic, a whole food component (usually vegetable---an extra source of veggie power!) That's what my husband and I have been doing for years---a very inexpensive & cost-effective form of insurance!

May this New Year find you blessed with good health--
Sana