The Role of Vitamins in Gastrointestinal Diseases
Gastrointestinal diseases can affect levels of vitamins and minerals resulting in low doses of essential nutrients. A gastric disease can result in the stomach being unable to absorb the important vitamins and minerals that is needed by our body. One vitamin that is especially affected is the B12 vitamin. When the body doesn’t receive enough of this vitamin it can result in pancreatic problems and a decreased secretion by liver of bile acid.
A well-balanced diet provides most people with the right amount of essential nutrients. A well-balanced diet consist of foods from the four major food groups, dairy products, meat and nuts, grains and cereals, and fruits and vegetables. Guidelines have been set up for what amounts of these essential nutrients our bodies need to remain healthy. Special needs are considered for women who are pregnant or breast-feeding, infants, teens, and children. Some people with chronic diseases, premature infants, those who have metabolic disorders or some infections may need to have their diet and supplement intake looked at by a health professional.
Blood should be tested for a measurement of vitamins and minerals if you are taking a water pill or taking another medicine that can cause a disruption in the nutrients in your blood. After these blood tests, your doctor may discover that you are short on some nutrients and proscribe a supplement to bring your levels up to normal. Blood tests to find the levels of vitamins and minerals is not necessary unless you are taking a pill that will reduce the potassium in your blood. Your doctor will decide if periodic blood counts and chemistry panels are needed.
If you already have a gastrointestinal disease or problem, you may have a shortage of some essential vitamins and minerals. Atrophic gastritis is a digestive condition that specifically prevents the absorption of the vitamin B12 nutrient. Chronic diarrhea, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and Krohn’s disease can delete our body of the nutrients we need for proper digestion, breaking fat and sugar down for energy, and for use in building various cell structure.
A well-balanced diet can preserve levels of vitamins and minerals for most people. If they have intestinal disturbances, or severe liver disease, or a chemical imbalance in your diet, your doctor may recommend weekly or periodic injections of vitamin B12 to maintain normal levels in our body. A good multivitamin can help in maintaining the correct levels of essential nutrients in your body. If you are taking a vitamin that has 50 to 100 percent of the recommended intake your body will be assured of receiving everything it needs.
If you are searching for a good multivitamin, compare packages. If the daily allowances are the same, it is safe to choose the least expensive brand of vitamin. The one reason for paying more for a “branded” name is for assurance of quality control. Many manufacturers depend on repeat business for their income so quality control is not normally an issue.